Fall 2025 Legacy Network Program Application

Thank you for your interest in applying to the James Beard Foundation’s Legacy Network Program. The application consists of three parts:  

1. Contact Info and Demographics

2. Industry Experience and Professional Goals

3. Recommendations/ Professional References

The Fall 2025 Legacy Network Program will take place Monday, September 8 – Tuesday, December 9, 2025, virtually.

A total of 20 applicants (10 advisors and 10 advisees) will be selected for the fall program. While the program is open to all Culinary Professionals of Color (POC), priority will be given to Black/ African American and Indigenous applicants. Successful applicants will be notified by July 2025.

Refer to the Legacy Network Program page for applicant eligibility requirements. https://www.jamesbeard.org/impact/institute/programs/legacy-network

The application for the Fall cohort closes, Sunday, May 11^th, 11:59 P.M. E.T.

Note: Applicants who have not participated in a JBF program over the last 12 months will be prioritized. Please note that we do not accept two applicants from the same business (spouses, partners, coworkers, etc.)

Contact Information Release
By applying to JBF’s Legacy Network Program, 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

I am applying to serve as a

Legacy AdvisorLegacy Advisee

INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE & PROFESSIONAL GOALS

Please provide up to 5 positions held in any culinary environment with dates of employment and location. You are free to share the last 5 or the most impactful 5, whichever is a more accurate representation of your culinary trajectory. Example: Assistant Sous Chef, 12/2019-01/2020, Joe’s Pub NYC

Position/Year/Business

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Personal Bio

You can submit your biography by submitting it in video OR written format. Written paragraph: Maximum 150 words Video option: Two minutes maximum

Copy and paste your bio here.

Community Service Experience

Please describe your past or present social, environmental, or community service activities. (Max 100 words).

In detail, describe your personal and professional career goals? Identify up to three realistic goals to launch or implement over the 12-week Legacy Network Program. (Max 150 words)

150 words remaining

What are your personal and professional areas of desired improvement? As a Legacy Advisor, identify up to three realistic goals you would like to achieve during the 12-week Legacy Network Program. (Max 150 words)

150 words remaining

What is your personal experience with mentoring? Have you mentored others? Are there examples of how you would have liked to be mentored during your career? (Max 150 words)

150 words remaining

Why is participating in a mentoring program beneficial to your culinary/hospitality career? What kind of mentorship support do you need and/or best benefit from? (Max 150 words)

150 words remaining

RECOMMENDATIONS/PROFESSIONAL REFERENCES

Upload two professional references. Upload two brief letters of recommendation. These can take the form of an email; we are most interested in understanding your commitment to the culinary industry and desire to mentor or be mentored. We require one (1) letter of recommendation from an employer (current or former) or mentor and one (1) letter from an employer, colleague, or educator.

Add another reference letter

If you are unable to add the recommendation letters by your application submission date, please email them to impactforward@jamesbeard.org by no later May 11, 2025. Letters received after the application deadline will not be considered.

By submitting this application, you are giving permission for the JBF to contact you regarding your application and/or program eligibility.

I understand

By checking this box, the applicant certifies that the information included in this application is true and correct information, to the best of their current knowledge.

I understand

By submitting this application, you are agreeing to JBF communicating with you through email about this and other related programs.

I understand

JBF retains the right to make final decisions, in its sole discretion, consistent with the applicable criteria, which JBF may amend as needed to ensure smooth operations.

I understand

Chef-owner	Head/executive chef	Pastry/executive pastry chef
Sous chef	Pastry sous chef	Chef de partie/Station chef/Line cook
Prep cook	General manager	Assistant manager
Sommelier	Beverage director	Bartender/mixologist
Barista	Farmer	Fisher
Produce supplier	Food manufacturer	Non-food manufacturer
Other

Restaurant (fine dining)	Restaurant (fine dining)
Restaurant (fine casual)	Restaurant (casual)
Restaurant (fast casual/to go)	Distillery/Brewery/Winery /Beverage
CPG products	Wholesale line
Private/Catering	Store or marketplace
Farm/fishery	Nonprofit
Other

Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change	Chef Action Summit Attendee	Chef Action Summit Speaker/Panelist
Climate Advocacy Roundtable	Climate Campaign	Hill Day with JBF
Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program	Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit Attendee	Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit Speaker
WEL Meet-up	Legacy Network Advisor	Legacy Network Advisee
Legacy Meet-up	JBF In-Person Event Presenter/Panelist/Moderator	American Culinary Corps Member
James Beard Award Winner	James Beard Award Nominee	James Beard Award Semifinalist
Taste America Chef	Greens Event Chef	Cooked at the Beard House
Cooked at Platform	Beard Fellows Program	JBF Scholarship Recipient
JBF Scholarships Judge	James Beard Award Judge	Owning It Program
Black and Indigenous Initiative Fund	Beard Fellows Program	Cooked at Awards
Cooked at JBF Gala	Hosted a Friends of James Beard Benefit	Other

Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program	Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Summit
Financial Literacy Workshop for Women	Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change
Chef Action Summit	Legacy Network Advisor
Legacy Network Advisee	Taste America Chef Participant
Greens Event Chef/Owner Participant	Virtual or In-person Event Speaker/Panelist/Moderator
Webinar Speaker/Panelist/Moderator	American Culinary Corps
JBF Climate Campaign	Surveyed for original research
Participate in focus groups or research interviews	Consulted for development and execution of Institute material
Engaged as mentor/mentee	Invited to participate in Institute programs
Activated in advocacy opportunities at federal level in DC	Activated in advocacy opportunities at regional level
Activated in advocacy opportunities at local level	Meetings with elected officials
Reach out to elected officials via phone/emails/social	Contribute to sign-on letters
Post on social media about JBF programs or advocacy campaigns	Host a local meet-up around a specific issue
Host a Friends of James Beard Benefit event	Donate items or experiences to JBF’s auctions
Sponsor for JBF programs and events

Legal Programs Expert	Tech Programs Expert	Marketing and Communications Programs Expert
Finance Programs Expert	Leadership Programs Expert	Employee Development and Benefits
Sustainable Practices	Mental Health Advocate	Gender Equity Advocate
Racial Equity Advocate	LGBTQ+ Advocate	Policy Expert
Climate Campaign	Food Culture Programs Expert	Program Speaker (webinar/event)