Periodically F&D checks with The LEE Initiative to see what’s happening, but first, for those just tuning in, here’s the back story.
The LEE Initiative is an acronym for Let’s Empower Employment. When we see a need for more diversity, equity, sustainability and compassion in the restaurant industry, we find innovative and impactful solutions. We create programs that make a real difference in the lives of the next generation of restaurant industry professionals. We help our community and inspire others to get involved.
The following update was received via e-mail and is reproduced here verbatim.
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We have updates!
It’s been an eventful year here at The LEE Initiative. We’ve continued many of our programs, received support from new partners, and have had the pleasure of staying in touch with past program participants. With so much going on, we want to share a quick update on what we’ve accomplished and little of peak at what’s to come. We have a lot to be proud of this year!
Follow along with this year’s Women Culinary and Spirits Program mentees
As the fifth year of our Women Culinary and Spirits Program comes to a close, we are amazed by our mentees’ continued growth and the program’s expansion thanks to support from our audience and sponsors. This year we had the pleasure of working with eight mentees who were able to dive into every aspect of the restaurant business: staffing, leadership practices, spirits, financing a business, media training, and so much more.
The program kicked off with the Kentucky Experience where the mentees came together and spent time with our partners to learn about investing in the future of the industry. With the support of Monogram Appliances, mentees went through intensive training on how to cultivate a social media presence and collaborate with press and also crafted barrels of Private Select with Makers Mark®. Our two spirit mentees also made custom aprons with Clayton and Crume, learned about sustainability practices from local bartenders and went through the Executive Bourbon Steward training at Moonshine University.
All mentees participated in externships to get hands-on exposure under a notable Chef or Beverage Director of a female-led restaurant or restaurant group. They also attended FAB, a Charleston-based workshop made by women, for women. Through FAB, our mentees networked with influential women in the industry and shared the many highs and lows of working in the industry.
In addition to this year’s program, Chef Edward Lee and Lindsey...Read more
