The LEE Initiative’s Culinary Education Program

"A valuable culinary education is the foundation for a productive career in the restaurant industry.  For many kids, this opportunity is just out of reach and we at The LEE Initiative want to help those who are committed to a career in the culinary arts follow their dream.” - Chef Edward Lee

Through our work with McAtee Community Training Kitchen and the culinary arts programs at Louisville-area high schools, we have identified a need for increased, in-depth culinary education and training in our home city. In the summer of 2022, we launched The LEE Initiative’s Culinary Education Program - a program that addresses gaps in job training and preparedness for high school students and young people in our community. We strongly believe that more training and education will create more opportunities for employment.

In 2022, we awarded a full scholarship, including tuition, enrollment fees and a book stipend, to a student enrolling in the Culinary Arts Associate’s degree program at Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky. This year’s scholarship is in the name of Chef David McAtee, a beloved chef and community member who was killed by the National Guard in 2020.

We also continue our work with the culinary arts programs at local high schools, creating $5000 credits for these programs at Iroquois, Moore, and Western High Schools to buy ingredients and much-needed supplies to supplement existing curriculum. The grants empower faculty in these schools to run meaningful programs, giving students a rich and rewarding education with hands-on experience to best prepare them for jobs and careers in the food, beverage, and hospitality industry.

 
Women Culinary & Spirits Program: This program brings qualified women into the restaurant industry and equips them with new skills, powerful mentors in the industry.

Women Culinary & Spirits Program: This program brings qualified women into the restaurant industry and equips them with new skills, powerful mentors in the industry.

Restaurant Workers Relief Program: This program supports pandemic relief and restaurant rebuilding efforts and will directly benefit restaurant employees.

Restaurant Workers Relief Program: This program supports pandemic relief and restaurant rebuilding efforts and will directly benefit restaurant employees.

Restaurant Reboot Relief Program: We provide cash infusions to sustainable farmers to allow independent restaurants to purchase goods to heal the food system.

Restaurant Reboot Relief Program: We provide cash infusions to sustainable farmers to allow independent restaurants to purchase goods to heal the food system.

Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice: We partner with the Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice to provide grants to Black-owned restaurants throughout the South.

Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice: We partner with the Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice to provide grants to Black-owned restaurants throughout the South.

The LEE Initiative's Culinary Education Program: this program addresses gaps in job training and preparedness for high school students and young people in our community.

The LEE Initiative's Culinary Education Program: this program addresses gaps in job training and preparedness for high school students and young people in our community.

The Maker’s Mark CommUNITY Batch – a special release bourbon created by the community, for the community, to support trade and hospitality partners around the country, only available through LEE.

The Maker’s Mark CommUNITY Batch – a special release bourbon created by the community, for the community, to support trade and hospitality partners around the country, only available through LEE.