| Mission |
The mission of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs is to promote and enhance the education, advancement and connection of women in the culinary industry.
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| History |
Formed in 1993 by eight of the nation's top women chefs and restaurateurs, WCR has grown to a membership of over 2,000 members, offering a variety of networking, professional and support services.
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| Founding Members |
Lidia Bastianich, co-owner of Felidia and Becco, New York
Elka Gilmore, chef, San Francisco
Joyce Goldstein, author/restaurant and food consultant, San Francisco
Johanne Killeen, co-owner of Alforno, Providence, RI
Barbara Lazaroff, owner of Spago Beverly Hills and Imaginings Interior Design, CA
Mary Sue Milliken, co-owner of Ciudad & Border Grill, Santa Monica, CA
Anne Rosenzweig, owner of Inside, New York City
Barbara Tropp, author/chef/consultant, San Francisco (deceased)
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| Founding Corporate Members |
Allied Domecq Spirits& Wine
American Express Travel Related Services, Inc.
Beringer Vineyards
Champagne Veuve Clicquot
Citicorp Diners Club
The Culinary Institute of America
Food Arts Magazine
The French Culinary Institute
MasterCard International
Robert Mondavi Winery
San Pellegrino U.S.A.,Inc.
Starbucks Coffee Company
Visa USA, Inc.
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| Corporate Support |
WCR enjoys the corporate support of many corporate sponsors,
such as our founding corporate members listed above, and our current corporate members:
- All-Clad MetalCrafters, Inc.
- American Express
- American Roland Food Corp.
- ARAMARK
- Art Institute of New York City
- Bon Appétit at the Getty Center
- Bon Appétit Management Company
- Cabot Creamery Cooperative
- California School of Culinary Arts
- CanolaInfo
- The Culinary Institute of America
- Food Arts Magazine
- The French Culinary Institute
- FullBloom Baking Co, Inc.
- Guittard Chocolate Company
- Indian Harvest Specialtifoods, Inc.
- The Institute of Culinary Education
- Johnson & Wales University
- JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes
- Kimpton Restaurant Group
- KitchenAid
- Marriott International
- Nation's Restaurant News
- Nestlé Waters North America
- Royal Cup Coffee
- Sid Wainer & Son Specialty Produce
- Sur La Table
- Visa USA
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| Membership |
Seven membership categories are offered:
Student
Beginning Restaurant Professional
Culinary Professional
Executive Member
Friend of WCR
Small Business Member
Corporate Membership
Cost is dependent upon membership category
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| Goals |
| Exchange: |
To facilitate communication and the exchange of ideas between members and promote professional contacts.
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| Education: |
To provide educational opportunities for professional and personal development for women in all sectors of the restaurant industry.
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| Enhancement: |
To create and expand professional and business opportunities for women working in or wishing to enter the restaurant industry.
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| Equality: |
To provide support and foster an environment which insures women equal access to the position, power and rewards offered by the restaurant industry.
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| Empowerment: |
To examine the issues of women in the workplace and advocate the improvement of work environments in the restaurant industry.
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| Entitlement: |
To provide opportunities, encouragement and support for women of all backgrounds who wish to enter or advance in the restaurant industry.
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| Environment: |
To promote efforts to safeguard and improve the global food and water supply.
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| Excellence: |
To foster standards of excellence and integrity within the restaurant industry. |
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| Awards Program |
WCR launches a call for nominations for the "Women Who Inspire Awards" in the spring of each year. Hundreds of women are nominated for these prestigious awards. The winners are announced at a gala dinner held during the annual conference in the fall. Sponsorships are available for this program. Learn more about the WCR Awards program on the Web site.
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| Scholarship & Internship Program |
WCR sponsors a unique Scholarship & Internship Program that includes international travel, culinary school opportunities, wine studies and internships in member restaurants. Applications are taken January through March. The scholarship committee reviews the applications in March and April, and the scholarships are awarded in June. Sponsorships are available for this program. The prior year Scholarship & Internship Program is posted on the WCR Web site.
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National Conference |
In the fall of each year, WCR hosts a National Conference that consists of master cooking classes, keynote presenters, panel discussions, culinary tours, champagne receptions, awards dinner, networking lunches and a mini trade show. Sponsorships are available for this program.
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| Mentorship Program |
WCR launched a new Mentorship Program in 2002. WCR has always stood for "women-helping-women" in the culinary field. The mentorship program formalized the informal mentoring that has always existed.
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| Local Exchange |
The WCR Local Exchange program offers culinary educational programs in local markets. These meetings take place across the country and are both educational and networking opportunities for our current and prospective members. Sponsorships are available for this program. |
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| Media Contact |
Women Chefs & Restaurateurs
P.O. Box 1875
Madison, AL 35758
toll free: 877-927-7787
admin@womenchefs.org
Frequently Asked Questions
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