Alice Cheng is the Founder and CEO of Culinary Agents, an online professional networking and job matching platform dedicated to the hospitality industry. Her career began in the hospitality sector, working as a hostess and server at La Maisonette in the Pearl River Hilton and as a catering server for Munno's Deli in Pearl River, NY.
Cheng pursued a Bachelor of Science in Advertising, Marketing & Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, NY. She then embarked on a 13-year tenure at IBM, starting in the mailroom and advancing to roles such as Digital Media Specialist, Economic Stimulus Strategy & Sales Leader, and Global Innovation Executive in Strategy & Transformation.
In 2012, Cheng founded Culinary Agents to address the challenges hospitality professionals faced in job searching and recruitment. The platform has since connected over 2 million users with more than 50,000 businesses, offering job listings, industry insights, and educational content to inspire the next generation of restaurant talent.
Beyond her role at Culinary Agents, Cheng serves as a Strategic Advisor for Hot Bread Kitchen's Kitchen Cabinet in New York, NY, and is a member of the Society of Fellows for the Culinary Institute of America. She also hosts the podcast "Hospitality on the Rise," highlighting stories and insights from hospitality professionals.
Cheng's dedication to the hospitality industry is evident in her efforts to provide resources and tools that support professionals in their career development. Her work continues to influence and shape the future of hospitality recruitment and networking.