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Some of the top women in the restaurant world are scheduled to gather in Los Angeles next month for the 23rd annual national conference of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs.
Equal pay, making best use of social media and understanding the debate over genetically modified ingredients will be some of the topics covered at the event, which will be held mostly at the InterContinental Los Angeles in Century City April 17-18. This year’s theme: “Imagine Your Dreams and Ignite the Future.”
On the agenda are educational sessions, mentor panels, cooking competitions and grub crawls around town.
But the event also includes plenty of time for networking, bringing together young and up-and-coming female talent with some of the West Coast’s stars, including Nancy Silverton of Pizzeria/Osteria Mozza; Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken of Border Grill; and Sherry Yard, the former executive pastry chef for Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group who this year is working on a revival of the iconic Helms Bakery complex in Los Angeles.
Top Chef alums Mei Lin, Brooke Williamson and Nyesha Arrington will coach teams of competitors in the Food Games, to be judged by Sophie Gayot, Antonia Lofaso and Silverton.
Capping the two days will be a gala at Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood, hosted by Food Network hosts Waylynn Lucas and Ron Ben-Israel, where this year’s Women Who Inspire Award winners will be announced in various categories.
Finalists for the Barbara Tropp Golden Knife Award, which recognizes a lifetime of culinary excellence and women that have made an exceptional contribution to the foodservice industry, include Joan McNamara of Joan’s on Third in Los Angeles; Heidi Krahling of Insalata’s and Marinitas in San Anselmo, CA; and Karen Trilevsky, entrepreneur and founder of Full Bloom Baking Company in San Francisco.
Other nominees include:
For the Golden Glass Award, recognizing distinction in the dining room or beverage profession honoring front-of-the-house management skills, beverage service or production: Bella Lantsman, Chinois on Main in Santa Monica, CA; Julie Merino, The Macintosh in Charleston, SC; Ani Meinhold, The Federal Food Drink and Provisions in Miami.
For the Golden Whisk Award, recognizing excellence in the kitchen and honoring women whose passion and achievements serve as role model: Niki Nakayama, n/naka in Los Angeles; Melissa Perello, Octavia and Frances in San Francisco; Dominique Crenn, Atelier Crenn and Petit Crenn in San Francisco.
For the Golden Bowl Award recognizing excellence in baking and pastry arts: Ilma Lopez, Piccolo in Portland, ME; Sally Darling, Chow Restaurants in Danville, CA; Della Gossett, Spago in Beverly Hills, CA.
For the Golden Hand Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to society: Sharon Hapton, Soup Sisters in Calgary; Ashleigh Parsons, Alma Community Outreach in Los Angeles; Jessamyn Waldman Rodriguez, Hot Bread Kitchen in New York.
For the Golden Pencil Awards, recognizing a dedication to teaching; Kirsten Dixon, Within the Wild in Anchorage; Annemarie Ahearn, Saltwater Farm in Rockport, ME; Tiffany Poe, Tiffany Poe Culinary Services in Tulsa.
For the Laurey Masterton Golden Amulet Award, which recognizes women entrepreneurs in foodservice: Sal Howell, River Café and Boxwood in Calgary; Stephanie Castellucci, Castellucci Hospitality Group in Atlanta; and Sandra Harvey, Sandra Harvey Designs, Ashville, NC.
Contact Lisa Jennings: [email protected]
Follow her on Twitter @livetodineout
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