193: Lindsey Ofcacek, The LEE Initiative (Louisville, KY)

Years ago when I worked at The Local Palate, one of my first fancy meals as a staff member was at 610 Magnolia in Louisville, KY, helmed by Chef Edward Lee, and I can remember that the anticipation of that evening was like a holiday gift waiting under the tree. Lindsey Ofcacek was the general manager and wine director of that restaurant before she shifted gears within the restaurant group to helm the LEE Initiative, which had a mission of addressing issues of diversity and equality in the restaurant industry and empowering female chefs in Kentucky. After March 15, Lindsey hit the ground running in another big shift when her organization began providing direct food aid in what quickly grew to 19 partner cities nationwide. How does a mobilization of this magnitude happen from a few independent restaurants? Well, restaurant folks are used to working "on the fly," and the LEE Initiative is supporting not only those in need but restaurants and farmers through their efforts, too, proving what the power of partnerships and participation in change can promise.