Restaurant Associates’ Aptitude Potential Training Program Launches 2025 Cohort

Restaurant Associates’ Aptitude Potential Training (APT) Program proudly announces the launch of its fourth cohort, reaffirming its commitment to fostering gender diversity and empowering women chefs and culinary leaders. This rigorous six-month program is dedicated to building a strong pipeline of talented women in the culinary industry, ensuring they have the knowledge, skills, and opportunities needed to advance their careers and drive better business results.

The APT program provides frontline female culinary associates with hands-on training, career development resources, and mentorship to accelerate their growth in the industry. Participants are paired with both a dedicated Coach and their Executive Chef on-site, who both provide invaluable guidance, support, and real-world insights to help them succeed.

A key differentiator of the APT program is its inclusion of allies, both individual contributors and leaders, who actively partner with participants and serve as change agents in fostering a more gender-inclusive culture. By engaging allies in the training process, APT has proven to create lasting organizational change that benefits not only the participants, but also the entire culinary landscape.

“We’re developing a group of people who have not had these opportunities in the past. People are the most important asset of Restaurant Associates, and we are proud to continue investing in the next generation of culinary leaders,” said Chef and CEO Ed Brown. “Diversity in leadership is not just the right thing to do, it’s a business imperative. By equipping women with the skills and support they need to thrive, we are building a stronger, more innovative, and more inclusive culinary industry.”

Since its inception, the APT program has been instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous talented women. Many past participants have since taken on leadership roles, and worked with R/A senior leadership to develop innovative programming for the company as a whole.

With its structured curriculum, dedicated mentorship, and commitment to diversity, the APT program continues to make a meaningful impact on the future of food.