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Page 1

Spring 2026 Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change Application

Thank you for your interest in applying to the  James Beard Foundation’s  Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change. This application should take no longer than one hour to complete. The application consists of three parts:  

1. Demographics

2. Policy advocacy interest and experience (you do not need prior experience to apply, but interest is key)

3. A brief essay or video (details below)

 You will also need to provide 1-2 brief letters of recommendation. 

Our Spring 2026 Bootcamp will take place Sunday May 3rd – Tuesday May 5th, 2026, at Carnation Farms in Carnation, Washington.  

Your Bootcamp commitment includes reading any material sent ahead of time and holding meetings with your elected officials afterwards, as well as reporting on those meetings with the JBF team and your cohort.

A maximum of 15 applicants will be selected. Priority will be given to chefs who own restaurants. Successful applicants will be notified in February and will need to confirm acceptance within 3 days. We recommend blocking the Bootcamp dates on your calendar when you submit your application to ensure that you can attend if selected.  Attendance for all three days is required.  

The application for the Spring 2026 Bootcamp closes on February 1st at 11:59 pm PST.

Note: Applicants who have not participated in a JBF program over the last 12 months might be prioritized. Please note that we do not accept two applicants from the same business (spouses, partners, coworkers, etc.) for the same Bootcamp. No guests or plus ones are allowed to attend.

Contact Information Release

By applying to Bootcamp, you acknowledge that JBF may send communications, offers, and other information to you, and that you may unsubscribe from or opt out of the receipt of such emails at any time.

If you have any questions, please reach out to impactforward@jamesbeard.org

Page 4

Have you previously applied to a JBF Chefs' Bootcamp? If yes, when?

YesNo

When?

Please list the relevant years for each program or event you have participated in?

Are you currently engaged in policy advocacy?

YesNo

Please specify

Have you ever participated in other advocacy training or have worked in an advocacy role?

YesNo

What program/training/position? When?

In the last two years have you participated in any of the following (check all that apply)?

JBF Climate Solutions for Restaurant Survival campaign (webinar, sign-on letter, or in-person advocacy activity) JBF-ABIC Seat the Table immigration coalition (webinar, sign-on letter, or in-person advocacy activity) JBF webinars or other virtual programming Independent Restaurant Coalition meetings Sat on your State Restaurant Association board Posted on social media about industry relief or other issues Shared advocacy material with your staff Shared advocacy material with other chefs/colleagues

Have you engaged with your local, state, or federal lawmakers? (select all that apply)

Local State Federal None

What topics did you speak to your lawmakers about?

About how many times in the last two years have you spoken to your lawmakers?

Fewer than 5 times More than 5 times None

In the last year, have you used social media to post about policy advocacy?

YesNo

Please specify

What kind of posts have you created? What issues/topics have you advocated for?

Please specify

What did you speak about?

If you have spoken to other chefs about policy advocacy, what subjects or topics did/do you discuss?

On a scale from poor to excellent, how familiar are you with the following topics?

	Poor	Fair	Good	Very good	Excellent
How policies get developed and passed
How to advocate for issues you care about
How to craft an effective message around issues you care about
How to develop your network of allies and stakeholders
Climate change-related policies and practices

Are you connected with any Bootcamp alumni?

YesNo

If yes, are they in your:

Local city/town/community State Elsewhere I don't know

How important are the following issues to you in the restaurant and beverage industry?

	Not important	Slightly important	Neutral	Fairly important	Very important
Climate-smart agriculture and conservation policies
SNAP protection and expansion
Funding and market access for BIPOC farmers
Living wage and equal pay in restaurant supply chains
Tax credits for independent restaurants
Accelerated visas for foreign foodservice workers
Federal funding for mental health programs
Healthy soils
Composting and food waste
Sustainable seafood
The Farm Bill

Are there any other issues that are important to you in the restaurant and beverage industry?

Research has found the food and beverage industry to be one of the most trusted business sectors. Many Americans feel that the industry should be more a more active participant about solutions to nutrition and food policy. Do you believe that chefs are uniquely positioned to be agents for change on food policy issues?

YesNo

Why or why not?

Do you perceive the James Beard Foundation to be a leading advocate for the industry?

YesNoDepends

Please specify

Is there anything else you would like us to know about your experience and/or interest in policy advocacy?

Page 5

Personal Statement

We are looking for leaders who are aligned with JBF's values and are committed to improving the industry and food system through policy advocacy.

Please submit a brief essay (no more than 300 words) describing your interest in attending a Chef Bootcamp. In this personal statement, please touch on the four questions below:

Why do you want to participate in Bootcamp?

What do you hope to learn at Bootcamp?

How will you benefit from advocacy training?

What do you plan on doing with this training?

Let us know if you need assistance submitting an essay or video or if you have any questions or concerns.

If you prefer to upload your essay as a video, please do so here.

Page 6

Please upload one or two brief letters of recommendation. These can take the form of an email; we are most interested in understanding your commitment to advocacy and the leadership role you seek to play in food system change.

If you are unable to add letters by the submission deadline of February 1st, please email them to impactforward@jamesbeard.org by February 3rd. Letters received after February 3rd will not be considered.

If not submitted on the application, I understand I must submit a letter via email by February 3rd 11:59 PM PT.

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