Women Chefs & Restaurateurs appoints new presidentWomen Chefs & Restaurateurs appoints new president

Women Chefs & Restaurateurs named Ruth Gresser, chef and owner of Pizzeria Paradiso and Birreria Paradiso in Washington, D.C., president of the 22-year-old association at its annual conference last week, replacing outgoing president Elizabeth Falkner.

More than 400 people attended the two-day event at the Millennium Broadway Hotel in New York City. Attendees participated in workshops and offsite tours that included butchering demonstrations, wine and beer pairings, and panel discussions ranging from dealing with the media to making the most out of your career.

“The power of women’s collaboration is unparalleled, as our annual conference just proved,” Gresser wrote in an email. “It’s an honor to join Elizabeth Falkner and the renowned founders and past presidents of WCR as I take on the role of leading the amazing and dynamic women in the food industry. As WCR settles into its third decade, with recognizing women’s contributions to the food industry being such a hot topic, the mission of WCR to educate and promote the advancement of women in the industry is as relevant as ever.”

Falkner wrote in an email: “I’ve been a part of Women Chef’s & Restaurateurs since its inception in 1993, and it’s been amazing to watch its evolution and growth over the years. The conference is about celebrating and championing women in the industry, and this year’s event in New York let us to do that in a number of new ways. … I think everyone had a lot of fun, and left with a feeling of camaraderie.”

The conference included panels and seminars that highlighted different sectors of hospitality, according to Falkner, such as “The Production Line,” which featured women who influence trends of the largest food manufacturing companies in the world.

WCR conference attendees honored industry greats at the meeting’s annual awards gala. Photo: Women Chefs

Nine women also were given awards in recognition for their contributions to foodservice.

• Sylvia Weinstock of Sylvia Weinstock Cakes in New York City received the Barbara Tropp President’s Award, which recognizes a lifetime of culinary excellence.

• New York City-based pastry chef Gina DePalma received the Golden Bowl, which awards excellence in baking and pastry arts.

• Becky Harris, co-owner of Catoctin Creek Distillery in Purcellville, Va., received the Golden Goblet Service Award, which is awarded to beverage professionals.

• Barbara Dodson, dinner program chef of Calvary Women’s Services in Washington, D.C., received the Community Service Award.

• Kerry Diamond and Claudia Wu, founders of Cherry Bombe, a biannual magazine that celebrates women and food, received the Laurey Masterton Golden Amulet Award, which honors entrepreneurs.

• Georgette Farkas of Rotisserie Georgette in New York City received the Golden Fork, which recognizes front-of-the-house excellence.

• Amanda Cohen of Dirt Candy in New York City received the Golden Whisk, which recognizes a woman chef or cook whose excellence in the kitchen serves as a role model for others.

• Elaine Boland, owner of Fields of Athenry Farm in Purcellville, Va., received the Golden Plow, which honors farmers and artisan food producers.

• Linda Carucci, a cookbook writer and educator based in Oakland, Calif., was named Educator of the Year.

This story has been revised to reflect the following update:

Update: April 29, 2015  This story has been updated with a quote from Women Chefs & Restaurateurs president Ruth Gresser.

Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected].
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