SMOKE & SOUL INITIATIVE

This was the first initiative that we launched in 2015. It started with 6 young adults who trained and worked at 610 Magnolia and MilkWood. The purpose of this initiative was to empower young people in the neighborhoods of Louisville’s West End and Smoketown training in our restaurants. It was a new and fresh approach to offering jobs to young adults who could not afford culinary school or higher education.

A mentorship for young adults

Smoke & Soul

It was a challenge to get through that first year of the program and we learned from the young adults who made us better by giving us feedback and guidance. We have improved our curriculum and we are excited to offer a new program for young adults to work at Chef Edward Lee’s restaurants in Louisville, KY.

Smoke & Soul is an initiative where we mentor and train young adults who are high school graduates into jobs in the restaurant industry. Through a curriculum that we have developed, we give our interns the proper training and education to lead them into a productive career.

Candidates do not need any prior work experience. They are given real world training under the supervision of a teacher/mentor.

They will be paid a stipend through the 40 week program. At the end of the program, once they have completed the curriculum, they will be offered a position at one of Chef Edward Lee’s restaurants.

This program has had a successful pilot run and the goal now is to expand the program with Chef Lee’s newest restaurant, Whiskey Dry. The plan is to mentor 4 young adults each year with the goal of encouraging them into industry professionals by the end of the 40 week program.
It is a focused and personalized training program meant for only the strongest candidates from
Louisville.

All candidates must fill out an application, go through a strict screening, and interview with our program director Lindsey Ofcacek.

SMOKE & SOUL INITIATIVE

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO APPLY

Smoke & Soul Initiative: This program is only available to young adults who do not own their own restaurant, and have been residing in Kentucky for at least 1 year.
Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, with legal status to work
Applicants do not need any prior experience working in restaurants
Complete the application form and the short-answer questions.
Submit all transcripts from education or programs obtained during the past five years.
Attach two letters of reference. Additional letters are encouraged and welcomed.
You must be available to interview with our board member in person

LET US SHOW YOU

HOW TO APPLY

Email: Lindsey@610Magnolia.com

Mail : Attn: Lindsey Ofcacek
610 W. Magnolia Avenue, Louisville, KY, 40208

In Person: To submit an application in person, please call 502.636.0783 to arrange a meeting.

Name*
First Last
Email*
Phone*
Secondary Phone
Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State ZIP Code
Emergency Contact*
First Last
Emergency Contact Phone*
Personal Information
Are you a US citizen?*
- Yes
- No
Country of Origin
First language spoken*
Additional languages spoken
Social Media Information
Leave blank if none
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter
Educational Information
Please list the highest level of education you have completed.*
Volunteer Activities / Community Service
Please list any volunteer activities and/or community service you have done during the past five years. If necessary, attach additional paper to your application*
Disciplinary Record
Have you ever received a guilty judgement or been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime?*
- Yes
- No
Please note you are not required to answer “yes” to this question, or provide an explanation, if the criminal adjudication or conviction has been expunged, sealed, annulled, pardoned, destroyed, erased, impounded, or otherwise ordered by a court to be kept confidential. If you answered “yes,” please attach a separate sheet of paper that gives the approximate date of each incident, explains the circumstances, and reflects on what you learned from the experience.
Reference
How did you learn about us?*
Employment / Apprenticeship History
List your employment history, beginning with your most current position. If necessary, attach additional paper to your application. If you graduated from a National Restaurant Association Pro-Start, or similar, Program, please include a letter from your instructor.
Employer 1 Name*
Employer 1 Position*
Employer 1 Dates of Employment*
Employer 1 Responsibilities*
Employer 2 Name
Employer 2 Position
Employer 2 Dates of Employment
Employer 2 Responsibilities
Employer 3 Name
Employer 3 Position
Employer 3 Dates of Employment
Employer 3 Responsibilities
About the Applicant
This is a very important part of the application process. It is how we can get to know you and see your desire to receive this scholarship before we meet you in person. Please answer truthfully and type out your answers.
Describe a hardship you faced and how you overcame it*
Why did you choose cooking as your career*
Why do you want to work with The Chef LEE Initiative*
Name something you achieved through determination*
What does Kentucky mean to you*
Where do you see yourself in five years*
What is your favorite thing to eat and where do you go to get it*
What is your favorite thing to cook*
What makes you happy*
What three words would your friends or family use to describe you*
Who is your hero*
Please write a Personal Statement with a minimum of 100 words (approximately 10 sentences) about what it would mean to you to get this training.*

SMOKE & SOUL INITIATIVE

A mentorship for young adults

Smoke & Soul

SMOKE & SOUL INITIATIVE

WHAT IS REQUIRED TO APPLY

LET US SHOW YOU

HOW TO APPLY

Personal Information

Social Media Information

Educational Information

Volunteer Activities / Community Service

Disciplinary Record

Reference

Employment / Apprenticeship History

About the Applicant