About WCR

Mission The mission of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs is to promote and enhance the education, advancement and connection of women in the culinary industry. 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. 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)     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. Corporate Support WCR enjoys the corporate support of many corporate sponsors, such as our founding corporate members listed above, and our current corporate members: American Roland Food Corp. ARAMARK Bon Appétit at the Getty Center Bon Appétit Management Company Cabot Creamery Cooperative CanolaInfo The Culinary Institute of America Food Arts Magazine  The French Culinary Institute Guittard Chocolate Company The Institute of Culinary Education Johnson & Wales University Nestlé Waters North America  Visa USA 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 Goals Exchange: To facilitate communication and the exchange of ideas between members and promote professional contacts. Education: To provide educational opportunities for professional and personal development for women in all sectors of the restaurant industry. Enhancement: To create and expand professional and business opportunities for women working in or wishing to enter the restaurant industry. Equality: To provide support and foster an environment which insures women equal access to the position, power and rewards offered by the restaurant industry. Empowerment: To examine the issues of women in the workplace and advocate the improvement of work environments in the restaurant industry. Entitlement: To provide opportunities, encouragement and support for women of all backgrounds who wish to enter or advance in the restaurant industry. Environment: To promote efforts to safeguard and improve the global food and water supply. Excellence: To foster standards of excellence and integrity within the restaurant industry. 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. 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. 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.     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.      Media Contact Women Chefs & Restaurateurs P.O. Box 1875 Madison, AL 35758 toll free: 877-927-7787 admin@womenchefs.org Frequently Asked Questions Back to the Top