The Future of Hospitality is Female-Owned
Great concepts die from bad operations. We partner with women in hospitality to eliminate friction, bridge the gap between vision and execution, and scale your success
Meet the owners
These women built something real. Their restaurants reflect their values, their heritage, and their determination to lead.
West Loop / Fulton Market
Globally influenced small plates
Stephanie Izard - Chef-Owner (@stephanieizard)
West Loop / Fulton Market
Chinese-inspired sit-down
Stephanie Izard - Chef-Owner (@stephanieizard)
West Loop
Peruvian-inspired rooftop restaurant
Stephanie Izard - Chef-Owner (@stephanieizard)
Southport Corridor
Full-service diner
Stephanie Izard - Chef-Partner (@stephanieizard)
Avondale
Korean-American fine dining / tasting-forward
Beverly Kim — Chef-Owner (@chefbeverlykim)
Avondale
Modern Ukrainian
Beverly Kim — Chef-Owner (@chefbeverlykim)
Logan Square
Mexican
Diana Dávila — Chef-Owner (@dianalachef)
West Loop
Italian
Sarah Grueneberg — Chef / Co-Owner (@chefsarahjayne)
River North
French fine dining
Carrie Nahabedian — Chef / Co-Owner (@carrienaha)
West Loop
Japanese dining + cocktail-led full-service experience
Julia Momosé — Founder / Partner (@momose_julia)
Near North / Gold Coast
Wine-focused American / contemporary
Alpana Singh — Proprietor (@alpanasingh)
Uptown
Ethiopian
Tigist Reda — Chef-Owner (@tigistreda)
River North
Women-centric cocktail den + restaurant
Rohini Dey — Founder (@deyrohini)
River North
Indian-Latin / Indian-Chinese fusion
Rohini Dey — Founder (@deyrohini)
Reservation system: OpenTable Instagram handles Restaurant (Chicago): @ambar_restaurantchicago Brand / parent Ambar account:…
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Locavore NXT arrived with a lot of buzz and even higher expectations. As the…
Hiro Izakaya – Where Tokyo Spirit Meets Chicago… Kinda Let me just start…
Revisiting an Old Favorite: Mariscos La Costa (Ashland Location) One of my favorite…
Let’s set the stage: you’re in Seattle. You’re surrounded by mountain, fresh air,…
A Flavorful Adventure with a Few Bumps After a recent trip to Costa…
You know how sometimes fusion restaurants feel like they just threw random ingredients…
As we look to 2025, the restaurant industry is gearing up for some…
Check out this awesome women-owned restaurant we love
About Women-Owned Businesses
Why women-owned
restaurants matter
Women make up 54% of the restaurant workforce. Yet, they own just 34% of the businesses. Let’s change that.
Being a woman in any industry presents its challenges, however restaurant leadership can be particularly tough. To overcome these obstacles, you must continuously learn every aspect of your business, consistently monitor industry trends, and regularly evaluate your operations to ensure you’re keeping up.
Step into a system that works, or let us help you scale the one you own.
- Economic strength in neighborhoods
- Authentic voices and perspectives
- Resilience and innovation at work
Why Partner With CUF Advisors?
In a city as competitive as Chicago, the difference between a packed house and an empty dining room comes down to one thing: the guest experience.
Here is what we do for you:
We Catch the Details You Miss ("The Pixels")
We Eliminate Service Friction
We Turn Diners into Promoters
We Safeguard Your Margins & Future
Ready to Get Started?
Choose a time that works for you, and let’s start the conversation.
Our contact Info
How can we help you?
-
co*******@*********rs.com pr***@*********rs.com
- (847) 350-7758
About the Founder
Melissa Andrews
With experience in both front-of-house and back-of-house restaurant operations, Melissa has developed a unique ability to identify operational friction and guest experience gaps that even successful restaurants overlook.
CUF Advisors was founded on a simple belief: every restaurant has the potential to deliver exceptional experiences—they just need the right insights and guidance to get there.
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Find answers to commonly asked questions here
What qualifies a restaurant as “women-owned”?
A women-owned restaurant is one where at least 51% of the business is owned and operated by women.
How do I nominate a women-owned restaurant?
Reach out to our advisors or schedule a meeting with our founder.
How do restaurants get listed?
Owners can apply directly through our website or be nominated by community members. We verify ownership and gather information about their story, menu, and values before featuring them.
How can I support these businesses?
Visit, order, share their stories, and recommend them to friends. Every meal you buy, every review you leave, and every person you bring matters to these owners and their communities.
Can I leave a review or testimonial?
Absolutely! Your feedback helps others discover and support women-owned businesses.