Ichyou Started From
An Article
In 2025, a local article spotlighted a painful reality in San Francisco’s restaurant industry: a broken pipeline for chefs and kitchen talent. It wasn’t just a staffing issue—it was a reflection of lost opportunity.
Our founder read that article with a sense of deep frustration and clarity. How could one of the few industries that allows people to rise from entry-level prep to executive leadership without a college degree be suffering from such a shortage of trained talent? Why weren’t more programs building pathways for those who are ready to grow but unsure how?
After weeks of listening—talking to chefs, owners, and people eager to break into food work—the answer became clear: the talent is out there. What’s missing is the bridge.
Ichyou was born from that gap. A new kind of apprenticeship program, built to serve both the industry and the people who power it. Our mission is simple: connect overlooked talent with culinary careers, and help restaurants invest in a future-ready workforce.
Our mission isn’t about one founder. It’s about unlocking potential—in every kitchen.
What's In A Name?
We chose the name "Ichyou" as a tribute to the ginkgo tree. Known in Japanese as "ichou" or "ichyou," this tree is a living fossil, surviving in unlikely places. It is renowned for its fan-shaped leaves, golden autumn color, and its extraordinary resilience—including surviving the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In post-war Japan, the ginkgo became a symbol of rebirth, strength, and peace.
Our founder, a passionate lover of plants, saw in the ginkgo a powerful metaphor: a seed can endure harsh conditions and grow into something elegant, strong, and deeply rooted. Like the ginkgo, people flourish when given a supportive environment. Ichyou honors that belief. Our apprentices may come from nontraditional paths, but with guidance, they bloom. Their growth also revitalizes the communities and restaurants that nourish them.
Vision, Mission, and Values
Ichyou's Vision
We envision an America where apprenticeship redefines success—restoring dignity to culinary labor, advancing economic mobility, and weaving resilience, heritage, and shared purpose into the fabric of our communities.
Ichyou's Mission
Ichyou transforms overlooked talent into culinary leaders—through dignified apprenticeships, visionary restaurant partnerships, and real paths to opportunity.
Ichyou's Values
Dignity in Every Role
We believe every person deserves respect, purpose, and a seat at the table—no matter their past or position.
Resilience as a Practice
Like the ginkgo, we rise through adversity—growing stronger with each season.
Community at the Core
We build deep roots—between apprentices, restaurants, and the neighborhoods they nourish.
Craft with Meaning
We treat culinary work as legacy—an expression of culture, care, and personal pride.
Equity by Design
We remove barriers and build systems where everyone has a fair shot—and real support.
Shared Stewardship
We care for our people, our partners, and our future as one living ecosystem.
Cultural Fluency
We celebrate difference and create spaces where heritage, language, and story are not just welcomed, but essential.