Our Impact
Because of your support, we’re creating a more inclusive, sustainable restaurant industry. See the impact of your generosity.
Women Culinary and Spirits Program
The Women Culinary and Spirits Program was created to forge a path to leadership for women in the food and beverage industry through mentorship, hands-on training, and continuing education. Focused on advancing equity and diversity, the program empowered early- to mid-career professionals to take the next steps toward leadership roles.
Over its course, the program supported 41 early-career women chefs, offering them critical skill-building and networking opportunities. The program’s success culminated in the creation of SHIA, a non profit research restaurant that launched in late 2024.
Restaurant Workers Relief Program
The Restaurant Workers Relief Program empowered locally-owned restaurants to support their local communities by providing funding for direct services and labor. Launched in response to the COVID-19 crisis, the program provided over one million meals, supported disaster relief efforts in Kentucky, and invested in sustainable food assistance through a dedicated relief fund.
Restaurant Reboot Relief Program
In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Restaurant Reboot Relief Program, a pandemic relief initiative to support the essential relationships between small farms and independent restaurants—two vital components of a resilient local food system. We purchased over $1 million in fresh product from small farms across the country, allowing independent restaurants to order ingredients from those farms on credit during the critical re-opening phase. The program not only supported farmers financially but also ensured that restaurants had access to high-quality ingredients at a time when resources were scarce.
Culinary Education Program
Following the death of Chef David “Ya Ya” McAtee in 2020, we opened the McAtee Community Training Kitchen to honor his legacy and inspire the next generation of chefs. Led by Chef Nikkia Rhodes, MCTK provided hot meals, groceries, and supplies to West Louisville residents, while also serving as a training space for high school culinary students. Through this work, we recognized a critical need for more accessible culinary education. In response, we launched the Culinary Education Program in 2022, awarding $57,000 in grants to Louisville-area high school culinary programs and scholarships for students pursuing higher education in the culinary arts.
