CULTIVATE
Programs to Cultivate the Next Generation of Chefs Thrive
Hosted by Chef Edward Lee

CULTIVATE is SHIA’s educational initiative by Chef Edward Lee to cultivate the next generation of chefs to thrive confidently and sustainably.
Each year, CULTIVATE will provide culinary mentorship and educational programs, cross-industry community gatherings, and sustainability practices in hospitality for the next generation of chefs. SHIA by Chef Edward Lee is a fine dining restaurant in Washington, DC, and a nonprofit reimagining sustainability and education access in the hospitality industry. We’re excited to build our future leaders of hospitality with you.
PITCH DAY
We provide a three-month culinary mentorship and educational program for rising, talented chefs who want to open their restaurant business for the first time. Selected chefs will undergo an intense hybrid educational program by SHIA, 1:1 mentorship with DMV restaurant owners, and have the opportunity to pitch and share their dream menu in front of investors and chefs as judges.
ALUMNI DINNER
We host an evening of celebration and reflection with our chefs who participated in the LEE Initiative and SHIA’s CULTIVATE programs. The opportunity to connect with other chefs and celebrate is often missed when working behind the kitchen after long hours. The ALUMNI DINNER will shift that narrative by intentionally creating a space of connection, celebration, and reflection at SHIA restaurant in Washington, DC.
OTHER INITIATIVES
With additional fundraising and community-building efforts, CULTIVATE aims to build more educational and mentorship programs for chefs, training on sustainability practices for chefs and hospitality industry leaders, and host cross-industry community gatherings. By bridging the education, networking, and mentorship gap in hospitality, we look forward to celebrating and cultivating a new generation of chefs thriving.
PITCH DAY
A culinary education and mentorship program for chefs in the DMV area hosted by Chef Edward Lee
Transitioning from talented chefs into restaurant owners requires a new level of leadership, resilience, and business acumen that chefs don’t often get trained in culinary school.
To empower first-time restaurant owners to gain confidence and agility, selected chefs will undergo an intense hybrid educational program by SHIA, 1:1 mentorship with DMV restaurant owners, and have the opportunity to pitch and share their dream menu in front of investors and chefs as judges. The winner of the pitch competition will win a $5,000 grant that they can use to start their restaurant.

Spring 2025
We’ll select three female chefs in the DMV area who want to open their first restaurant.
Application window: February 10 - 28, 2025
Program: March 10 - June 2, 2025
Pitch Day: June 2, 2025
What You'll Receive
- A 3 month educational program
- 1:1 mentorship from a chef in DMV
- Exclusive opportunity to pitch your dream
- 1 winner will receive $5,000 for their resturant
Your Expectation
- Create an original restaurant business plan
- Create an original menu and restaurant concept
- Participate in all sessions actively
What you'll learn
- How to launch a restaurant business for the first time?
- How do you pitch your business effectively?
- How do you manage your people like an owner?

ALUMNI DINNER
Creating a space for next generation chefs to connect, reflect and celebrate by sharing a meal together
Intentional networking is a key skill and time that rising chefs often miss due to their intense work schedules in the kitchen. The ALUMNI DINNER will shift that narrative by intentionally creating a space of connection, celebration, and reflection at SHIA restaurant in Washington, DC.
Interested in partnering or collaborating with us? Reach out to us and let's discuss how we can make that possible.
Got questions?
We'd love to hear from you. Please contact Monica Kang at info@shiarestaurant.org.