Brooklyn-born celebrity chef, author and restaurateur Edward Lee is recognized as much for his cuisine as for his commitment to social issues. In the kitchen, he draws inspiration from his Asian heritage, having trained in New York, and a strong attachment to the American South, where he works with the finest ingredients from local farms. In 2018, he co-founded the LEE initiative along with Lindsey Ofcacek. LEE is an acronym for Let’s Empower Employment.
The initiative
LEE
In pursuit of a more diverse, sustainable, equitable and compassionate restaurant industry, Lindsey Ofcacek and chef Edward Lee launched the LEE initiative in 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. LEE, an acronym for Let’s Empower Employment, aims to tackle the social problems posed by the food industry by seeking innovative solutions, creating actions such as the Women’s Culinary Program or Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice.
