Heritage and Hospitality: “Have You Eaten Yet?”

Onyou Lee is a stewarding manager with Restaurant Associates serving a leading university dining and events operation in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has been part of Compass Group for the past four years. Originally from South Korea, Onyou moved to the United States in 2015 to pursue her education, bringing with her a deep appreciation for culture, connection, and community. 

She began her career as a café manager before moving into catering, where she focused on coordinating student conferences and campus events. Over time, she has worked across multiple departments, gaining a broader understanding of operations and how each function contributes to overall success. Today, she continues to lead events while also serving as a stewarding manager, helping connect front-of-house and back-of-house teams to support consistent and efficient execution. 

“What I enjoy most is seeing how different parts of an operation come together to create a seamless event, especially through the work that happens behind the scenes,” she says. 

For Onyou, her approach to hospitality is deeply rooted in her upbringing. Growing up in Korea, food was always about sharing and connection. One phrase that has stayed with her is, “Have you eaten yet?” This is a common greeting that reflects care and consideration for another person’s well-being. That mindset continues to shape how she supports both guests and her team. 

Adjusting to a new culture after moving to the U.S. was challenging at first, but it also strengthened her awareness of how deeply her Korean background influences her perspective and work style. Today, she takes pride in that identity and brings it into her day-to-day work and collaboration. 

Being part of the Korean community, means “carrying both tradition and growth,” notes Onyou. A word that continues to guide her is 정 (Jeong), a concept without a direct English translation that describes a deep sense of connection, empathy, and bond built over time through shared experiences. It goes beyond simple kindness and informs how she builds relationships with everyone she meets. 

As we close out the month, we’re grateful to Onyou Lee (Restaurant Associates), Manuel R. Manansala (Restaurant Associates), Chef Ngan Tran (Compass Group Canada), and Andy Choi (Wolfgang Puck Catering) for sharing their stories. Their perspectives enrich our culture at Compass Group, helping make our organization stronger and our communities more vibrant.