The pod was founded by new restaurant resource group Win Win, a brainchild of Jasper Shen and Linh Tran, who co-own the restaurant XLB, and artist Catie Hannigan. The group prioritizes members of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities in its mission to bolster a more inclusive food industry in Portland. While Win Win currently offers consultation services and a roster of free resources, Lil’ America is easily its crown jewel.
The restaurant industry at large is plagued with racial inequality, sexual harassment, poor working conditions and more. And often, BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ food makers struggle to find support. A new Portland restaurant group called Win Win is trying to change that.
Win Win, the new Portland-based restaurant group from the team behind Williams Chinese restaurant XLB, wants to dismantle the barriers marginalized chefs face