Mentoring, Outreach and Giving Back
Over the years, Milliken and Feniger have supported countless causes, fundraisers and community organizations. Each has led signature efforts with outsized impact.
During the pandemic, Milliken met weekly on Zoom with fellow women restaurateurs to navigate the crisis together and identify available grants. That led Milliken to establish Regarding HER, a nonprofit network of more than 1,300 women in food and beverage that provides mentorship, visibility and resources to accelerate women’s careers.
“It’s been the most rewarding experience to be able to help these women with stuff we had to learn the hard way,” says Milliken.
Feniger adds, “Being mentors to people is something that has always been extremely important for both of us, and part of what makes this career so satisfying.”
Mentoring seniors and youths is the focus of another program that Feniger helped establish at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. As a board member, Feniger spearheaded the Culinary Arts Program — a 12-week training course that brings LGBTQ+ students together to learn kitchen skills and build confidence.
“What I love is not necessarily that they’re going to come out and be chefs, but that it gives students who have come in off the streets the skills to be able to cook for themselves and the confidence to go out and get a job,” says Feniger.
For both chefs, their work reflects the values that they have long championed in their kitchens: respect, dignity and care for others. Their achievements as pioneers and mentors in the food industry and their influence on American cuisine were recognized on a national stage when they were honored at the Smithsonian.
Dining and Cooking