2017 Women in Culinary Leadership Applications Now Available

The James Beard Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2017 Women in Culinary Leadership program. Women with a background in hospitality or the culinary arts and at least two years of relevant work experience are encouraged to apply for a chance to participate in an eight-month mentor program with top industry leaders. 

The deadline to apply has ended. Candidates will be expected to start their intern program by July 15. Candidates may apply for the following 2017 chef/back-of-house or hospitality/front-of-house programs:

• José Andrés – Think Food Group, Washington, D.C. (chef training)
• Kim Bartmann – Multiple Restaurants, Minneapolis, MN (hospitality training)
• Elizabeth Blau – Andiron Steak & Sea; Buddy V’s Ristorante; and Honey Salt, Las Vegas (offering two positions in chef and hospitality training)
• Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz – BOKA Restaurant Group, Chicago (hospitality training) 
• Kevin Brown – Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, Chicago (chef training)
• Rohini Dey – Vermilion Restaurants, Chicago (chef training)
• Tom Douglas – Tom Douglas Restaurants, Seattle (chef training)
• Paul Fehribach – Big Jones, Chicago (chef training)
• Gina and Linton Hopkins – Restaurant Eugene Group, Atlanta (chef training)
• Cindy Hutson – Ortanique; Zest Restaurant; and Zest MRKT, Miami (chef training)
• Matt Jennings – Townsman, Boston (chef training)
• David Kinch – Manresa, Los Gatos, CA (chef training)
• Shelley Lindgren – A 16, San Francisco (chef training)
• Ti Adelaide Martin – Commander's Palace, New Orleans (hospitality training) 
• Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger – Border Grill, Los Angeles (chef training)
• Anne Quatrano – Bacchanalia; Floataway Cafe; and W.H. Stiles Fish Camp, Atlanta (chef training)
• Sarah Robbins – 21c Museum Hotels, Proof on Main, Louisville, KY (chef training)
• Avery Ruzicka – Manresa Bread, Los Gatos, CA (baker training)
• Stephen Starr – Starr Restaurants, Miami; NYC; Philadelphia; or Washington, D.C. (chef training)

Launched in 2012, the WCL program was spearheaded by Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation, and Rohini Dey, JBF trustee and founder/owner of Indian-Latin Vermilion Restaurants in NYC and Chicago. The goal of this intern mentorship program is to help aspiring chefs and restaurateurs build in-depth leadership and management skills either in the kitchen, or in restaurant management and hospitality. WCL has grown consecutively over the last four years, and for the class of 2017 there are 20 positions offered by 19 mentors.

Visit our WCL page for more details. Read the official WCL program press release.

For those interested in learning about other James Beard Foundation Women in Leadership programs, sign up for our email list. You’ll receive updates about application deadlines, events, and other program news.