“Edibles & Potables” returns next Sunday.
The LEE Initiative (web; Fb) has opened applications for the 2023 Women Culinary and Spirits Program. Applications are open until February 16th.
Let’s begin with a program recap.
The Women Culinary and Spirits Program creates a path to leadership for women in the food and beverage industry through mentorship, training, and continuing education opportunities. The goal of this program is to elevate more women into leadership positions within the industry with the mindset that doing so brings more equity and diversity to the industry. Each year, we select mentees to complete a six-month program which includes externships, seminars, and more. Mentees are experienced professionals in the early-to-mid stages of their food and beverage careers and are ready to take the next steps towards becoming industry leaders.
In today’s cover photo, the 2021 mentees attend Moonshine University.
As a non-profit, The LEE initiative (co-founded by Chef Edward Lee) is dedicated to resolving employment inequity in hospitality. The 6-month WCSP equips female chefs with the skills and resources needed to succeed in the culinary & spirits industry through a variety of opportunities:
- Mentorship with notable chefs, this year’s include Nina Compton, Kelsey Barnard Clark, Jessica Koslow, Silvia Barban, Beverly Kim, Katie Button, Anne Quatrano, and Reem Assil
- Weeklong externships under a successful Chef or Beverage Director of a female-led restaurant or restaurant group
- FAB Summer Camp 2023, 2 days of workshops in Charleston focusing on the business/financial side of hospitality
- The Kentucky Experience, an immersive trip to Louisville where the mentee class visits Maker’s Mark’s distillery and creates their own “CommUNITY Batch,” a signature Private Select
- A Capstone Dinner where mentees celebrate their time on the program and fundraise for future classes
For further information, visit The LEE Initiative’s web site.
