Heather Greene, founder of Lillian's Petite Market & Eatery on Charleston's Westside, was selected for the inaugural Restaurant Academy, a six-month leadership program running September 2026 through March 2027 with roughly 30 restaurant leaders nationwide. The program comes from the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation with American Express and Resy, and covers team building, guest experience and financial fluency. Participants work with James Beard winners Mashama Bailey, Gregory Gourdet and Nok Suntaranon, plus sommelier Victoria James.
Why this matters here
Thirty spots in the country and one of them went to the Westside. Greene has been vocal that independent restaurants and independent food producers rise together, and that supporting local farms means purchase orders rather than a line on the menu. Lillian's buys from Lowcountry Oyster Co., Kurios Farms and Gallop Farms, so that money stays in the region.
First reported by holycitysinner.com.
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