Event highlights women in culinary scene

This event popped up in my inbox and I love the idea of an event highlighting the contributions of Chicago's female chefs and other key female players in the culinary world!

CHICAGO GOURMET & VERMILION PRESENT FIVE CHEFS FOR WOMEN

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Five top women chefs unite to benefit the James Beard Foundation Vermilion Women in Culinary Leadership Scholarship

Bon Appétit presents Chicago Gourmet and Vermilion restaurant are pleased to announce the official kick off to this year's event with an once-in-a-lifetime dinner honoring women in the hospitality industry, taking place at Vermilion (10 W. Hubbard St.) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25. Five Chefs for Women showcases a five-course dinner prepared by renowned women chefs also appearing at Chicago Gourmet, including culinary queens Rohini Dey of Vermilion, Carrie Nahabedian of NAHA/Brindille, Mindy Segal of Hot Chocolate, Ina Pinkney of Ina's, and special international guest chef Svetlana Riscova of Elements in Latvia.

  

 

The event also spotlights ladies playing a major role in the wine and spirits industry. Specialty cocktails curated by Southern Wine and Spirits of Illinois's master mixologistsDebbi Peek and Bridget Albert and select pours from Mercat a la Planxa's Sommelier Wanda Cole will complement the evening's plates, some of which include Lobster Portuguese stewed in goan gravy and served with coconut rice, and Tcho chocolate flourless chocolate cake with pecan praline milk sorbet, honey frozen nougat and bourbon butterscotch.

Five Chefs for Women is open to the public; tickets are $70 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity). Reservations are required and can be made by calling (312) 527-4060.

Proceeds benefit the James Beard Foundation Vermilion Women in Culinary Leadership Scholarship. As a passionate supporter of women in the restaurant industry, Dey - a former World Bank development economist turned prominent restaurateur - co-founded the program with James Beard Foundation President Susan Ungaro to aid in the mentorship and education of girls on a global level. The Vermilion Women in Culinary Leadership Program is comprised of the "Chefs for Women" initiative, the James Beard Foundation Vermilion Culinary Leadership Scholarship, and the Women in Culinary Leadership Evening. To donate to this important mission, please visit jamesbeard.org/donate.

*Attendees of Chicago Gourmet will also have an opportunity to meet these, and other impressive leaders, at the first-ever Women's Restaurateur Panel on Sunday, September 29!

About Vermilion

Known for its bold and unique Indian-Latin cuisine, Vermilion (NYC & Chicago) is founded by former World Banker and McKinsey management consultant Rohini Dey, Ph.D. The melding is based on the deep historical cross-influences and geographical commonalities of the two regions, and an intellectually provocative evolution. Vermilion has been lauded for being both a woman-led entity and for its Indian-Latin cuisine by FT, Time, Gourmet, WSJ, Chicago Tribune (3 stars), Chicago magazine, Bon Appétit, Esquire, USA Today, Travel & Leisure, Town & Country, and Wine Enthusiast, among others. Apart from the platform of both of her restaurants, Rohini is active in educating and mentoring women through her non-profit (MSEdG - Educate Girls Globally) to which all of her writing proceeds are donated; as a senior donor of the American India Foundation; her active involvement with the International Women's Forum and The Chicago Network; and by contributing to the entrepreneurial programs of leading business schools (Kellogg, Chicago Booth, Columbia).

About Chicago Gourmet

Now in its sixth year, Chicago Gourmet is a premier culinary experience aimed at promoting Chicago's impressive culinary community. It was created by the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) and the Anton Family Foundation to celebrate and honor both Chicago's culinary achievements and the creative vision of the chefs, Master Sommeliers, and wine-, spirit-, and beer-makers who participate. It also aims to highlight Chicago as an international culinary destination via its unparalleled epicurean talent. For more information, please visit www.chicagogourmet.org and follow on Facebook and Twitter.

About Bon Appétit:

Food is the new fashion, and the new Bon Appétit is the food lover's style guide. The magazine, and its companion website, deliver not just recipes, tips and techniques, but a world of lush travel, high-gloss entertaining and up-to-the-minute restaurant coverage. It's a visually arresting publication, driven by excellent photography, clean graphics, and headlines that pop. And notable faces too: Each issue features of-the-moment tastemakers, from chefs and restaurateurs to fashion designers and celebrities. All of these elements combine to make Bon Appétit the largest epicurean magazine in America with the most affluent readership.

Bon Appétit is published by Condé Nast, a division of Advance Publications, which operates in 25 countries.  In the United States, Condé Nast publishes eighteen consumer magazines, two trade publications and twenty-seven websites that garner international acclaim and unparalleled consumer engagement. Please visit www.bonappetit.com.

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America

Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation's largest wine and spirits distributor, with current operations in 29 states. The multi-state distributor currently operates in:  Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia-as well as the additional seven states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah through the Southern-Odom/Spirits West partnership.  In addition, Southern has announced a pending strategic arrangement with Glazer's Family of Companies in the center of the country-resulting in an incremental 8 markets to Southern's existing footprint. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 10,000 team members. For more information contact: www.southernwine.com.