WOMEN CULINARY AND SPIRITS PROGRAM

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. 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.

Take a look at some of our past curriculum highlights:

orange silhouette of female head over crossed fork and spoon

  • Externship: Mentees will experience a weeklong externship under a notable and successful Chef or Beverage Director of a

    female-led restaurant or restaurant group in the United States. The externship will include training in all aspects of the

    restaurant business, from back of house to accounting, addressing the gap too many Chefs experience when they move into

    ownership positions without a comprehensive skill set.

  • FAB Summer Camp: FAB is 48+ hours of educational and inspirational workshops created by women, for women in the

    hospitality industry. This is an invaluable opportunity to build community and network with some of the most successful

    women in the industry and expand our mentees’ knowledge on the financial and business side of the industry.

  • The Kentucky Experience: Mentees will travel to Louisville, Kentucky, for an immersive experience that highlights some of the

    unique aspects of the hospitality industry in Kentucky.  NOTE: Mentees must be available to travel to Louisville May 19-22.

  • Capstone Dinner: At the conclusion of the program, the mentees will host a dinner to raise funds for the next class of

    mentees. This is another opportunity for this year's class to work together, showcase their skills and celebrate their

    accomplishments and experience in the Women Culinary and Spirits Program.

  • Continuing Education: Mentees will have opportunities throughout the year to

    participate in continuing education experiences to expand their knowledge and skills.

    The LEE Initiative pays for travel and lodging during your externship and other

    programmatic events requiring you to be in attendance, in addition to a competitive rate

    of compensation for wages missed while participating.

Meet our Mentees and Mentors

2023

2023 Mentors; Anne Quatrano, Beverly Kim, Jessica Koslow, Katie Button, Kelsey Clark, Nina Compton, Reem Assil, Silvia Barban

2022

2022 Chef Mentors; Amy Brandwein, Reem Assil, Jessica Koslow, Nina Compton, Ouita Michel, Beverly Kim
Class of 2022 Daniela Gonzalez Garcia, Jaz'Min Weaver, River Smith, Taylor Jarvis, Liliana Myers, Rhea Buck, Susan Bean, Jess Hewlette

2021

2021 Spirit Mentees; Sarah Mccabe, Meredith Wright, Bri Hlava, Sherri Jenkins, SC Baker
2021 Spirits Mentors; Kristina Magro, Jesse Peterson, Charlotte Mirzoeff, Christina Cotton, Colleen Hughes
2021 Chef Mentors; Amy Brandwein, Cheetie Kumar, Claudette Zepeda, Katie Button, Ouita Michel, Kessica Koslow, Nina Compton, Sarah O'Brien, Beverly Kim
2021 Chef Mentees; Aretah Ettarh, Ashlee Martinis, Darian Jones, Hanna Arvin, Jules Stoddart, Lauren Schoen, Megan Duffy, Nadia Casaperalta, Meagan White, Sydney Fisher, Taylor Davis

2019

2019 Mentees Miriam Martinez Prisciliano, Katie Smith, Breanna Baker, Emily Dunagan, Tonya Mays
2019 Mentors; Katie Button, Brooke Williamson, Ashley Christensen, Mindy Segal, Nina Compton

2018

2018 Mentees; Stephania Sharkey, Stephanie Calihan, Jen Rock, AuCo Lai, Nikkia Rhodes
2018 Mentors; KAite Button, Anne Quatrano, Brooke Williamson, Jenn Louis, Sarah Grueneberg
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.