WASHINGTON, D.C. – August 20, 2025 – SHIA Restaurant, the groundbreaking nonprofit modern Korean fine dining restaurant in Washington D.C. by Chef Edward Lee, today announced that applications are open for its SHIA Pitch Day Fall 2025 Program. This 10-week program is designed to empower aspiring Korean American and Korean diaspora chefs to launch their first restaurant by providing essential business training and resources.

Generously supported by the YS Kim Foundation and the Naeil Foundation, the program addresses a key challenge for chefs—the lack of time and training to develop a full business plan. The program provides intensive coaching on business strategy, finance, branding, and operations.

The program will select three individuals who are at least 21 years old, currently working as a chef or sous chef, and have a clear concept for their first restaurant. Participants will receive mentorship from top hospitality leaders and gain hands-on perspective with expert partners, including:

• Patterson Accounting (Business Accounting)
• Ad Cucina (Design and Brand Consulting)
• Prestige Ledroit Distributing Co. (Business Decisions)
• Edens (Lease and Property Decisions)
• Eleven Elven PR (PR and Media)
• Dan Simons (Founding Farmers)
• Chef Jung-Yoon Choi (NANRO, Korea Chair for The World’s 50 Best Restaurants)
• Chef Sungchul Shim (Kochi, Mari, Gui, Hwaro)
• Chef Ji Hye Kim (Miss Kim, Little Kim)

The program culminates in a live Pitch Day on December 22, 2025 at SHIA, where participants will present their concepts to a distinguished panel of judges for a chance to win a $5,000 cash prize to kickstart their business. The judges include acclaimed restaurateurs Danny Lee (Anju, Mandu, CHIKO, I Egg You), Ellia Park (Atomix, Naro, Atoboy), Dan Simons (Founding Farmers), and Erin Wade (Chef and Author of The Mac & Cheese Millionaire).

"This program is about empowering emerging culinary voices and giving them the tools to succeed not just in the kitchen, but in the business world," said Monica H. Kang, Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer at SHIA. "We are excited to support the next generation of Korean American chefs and help them turn their unique visions into reality."

The application window is open from August 19 to September 19, 2025.

For more information and to apply, visit https://shiarestaurant.org/pitchdayfall2025.

Contact:
Monica H. Kang
Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer
SHIA Restaurant
monica@shiarestaurant.org