Jiwon McCartney

Signature dish

Kimchi Fried Rice

Butter is the start of very great dish - my opinion. saute all ingredients separately. meat make sure it's seasoned right whatever it may be. cook rice correctly - slightly over (IYKYK) learn to pick the right kimchi - not all are the same! has to be the right ripe. The kimchi juice is the liquid gold, don't waste it. and for pete sake, don't over chef this dish, "fusion" is 1980's ... just do food better!

Cultural influences

ALL cultures inspire me.

Experience

1. Founder, CEO, executive Producer

   Culinary Fight Club, Inc. · 2013 – Present

   Culinary Fight Club® is a live food-sport competition where chefs, home cooks, and culinary creators battle head-to-head under pressure to prove what they can do when the clock is running and the pantry is fair game. Competitors race for ingredients, have a limited amount of time to create their dish, and serve both a panel of judges and the live audience. Dishes are judged on execution, creativity, appearance, and taste, while guests get in on the action by tasting the competitors’ creations and helping crown the Taster’s Choice Champion.

2. Founder, CEO

   Fight2Feed A Charitable Organization · 2014 – Present

   Fight2Feed® is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) nonprofit fighting hunger, food waste, and unnecessary waste in our communities. Founded in Chicago in 2014, Fight2Feed® rescues surplus food and materials that would otherwise go to waste and transforms those resources into hot meals, pantry bags, and essential support for neighbors in need. Working alongside volunteers, businesses, hospitality partners, and community organizations, Fight2Feed® has rescued millions of pounds of food and served millions of community meals. Today, the organization supports more than 100 community partners across five Illinois counties while continuing to expand its impact. Fight2Feed® is built on one simple belief: when communities come together, we can feed people, reduce waste, and create real change—one meal, one rescue, and one neighborhood at a time. #FeedItForward

3. Founder, CEO

   In Culinary, Inc. · 2022 – Present

   In Culinary is a culinary-driven platform built to connect, educate, inspire, and create opportunity through food. Bringing together chefs, hospitality professionals, emerging talent, educators, brands, and industry leaders, In Culinary creates spaces where real conversations become real connections—and connections become careers, collaborations, and opportunities. Through culinary education, chef-driven conversations, workforce development, mentorship, networking, and experiential programming, In Culinary goes beyond teaching people how to cook; it opens doors into the business and culture of hospitality. From aspiring culinary professionals taking their first step to seasoned industry leaders sharing their journey, In Culinary is where food, people, knowledge, and opportunity come together.

4. Pricipal

   Alley Brands Concepts, Inc. · 2022 – Present

   Alley Brands Concepts, Inc. is a hospitality and restaurant development company built to create, operate, and grow bold, experience-driven food, beverage, and entertainment concepts. From neighborhood restaurants and emerging food brands to interactive hospitality destinations, Alley Brands Concepts combines creative brand development with hands-on operations to turn original ideas into scalable businesses. Its portfolio includes concepts such as Burger Alley Chicago and Up North Axe & Tap, each designed around great food, approachable experiences, and strong community connection. With an entrepreneurial approach to concept development, operations, partnerships, and growth, Alley Brands Concepts, Inc. builds brands that give people a reason to come in—and an experience that gives them a reason to come back

Education

1. Northern Illionis University

   Visual Communications · 1987 – 1991

Certifications

1. Certified Food Protenction Manager

2. W/MBE

   Alley Brands Concpets, Inc.

Portfolio