June 24, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Women Chefs & Restaurateurs Conference Cooks Up Empowerment in Century City

Renowned chefs, television personalities, authors, restaurateurs and culinary experts join us each year to share their knowledge and experience during the Women Chefs & Restaurateurs national conference. Courtesy image.
Renowned chefs, television personalities, authors, restaurateurs and culinary experts meet each year to share their knowledge and experience during the Women Chefs & Restaurateurs national conference. Courtesy image.

When the Women Chefs & Restaurateurs (WCR) organization began in 1993, its founding mothers thirsted for a resource to provide females in the food industry with scholarships, mentors, and networking opportunities. So they created one themselves.

The nonprofit’s annual conference – which takes place April 17 and 18 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Century City – will stick to the WCR’s original message, exploring topics and issues most relevant to women in hospitality.

This year’s theme, “Imagine Your Dreams and Ignite the Future,” will offer invaluable strategies for women to develop their hospitality careers and maximize opportunities, according to event organizers, and will cover a range of topics including social media, artisanal milling, GMOs, equal pay, advances in kitchen technology, and more.

There will also be cooking competitions, an all-woman food truck invasion, and talent talks from top industry leaders including James Beard Award winner Bricia Lopez; Guckenheimer’s Chief Innovation Officer, Helen Kennen; and Google’s Executive Pastry Chef, Pauline Lam.

The kick-off opening night party will be held at the Santa Monica Annenberg Beach House.

Susan Feniger, one of the chefs and owners of Santa Monica Border Grill, will be among those participating in conference. Renowned chef Nancy Silverton, James Beard winner, will judge the Food Games contest. Food Network’s Waylynn Lucas and Ron Ben-Israel will host the “Women Who Inspire” awards gala at Paramount Pictures Studios on the New York Street backlot.

Century City News spoke to participating chefs about the upcoming program and how to get ahead as a woman in the culinary field.

What is the biggest obstacle for women in the food industry today? 

“The biggest obstacle is LIFE Balance. About a year ago we surveyed our WCR Community and received an overwhelming number of inquiries regarding wanting to know how to juggle it all: family, career, friends, health and fitness, social life. Our response to this request – attend the WCR National Conference Sunday, April 17 at the InterContinental Los Angeles and find out!” – Alicia Boada, vice president of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, and West Coast Technical Advisor for Brand Sales Development of Callebaut, Cacao Barry, & Carma

What is your go-to advice for aspiring chefs and restaurateurs?

“My advice would be to travel as much as you can. Along with eating, get inspired by art around the world, take cooking classes, go to food markets, and experience as much as you can! That’s what I do, every chance I get.” – Akasha Richmond, chef and owner of Akasha Restaurant

What are some advantages or disadvantages of working in the industry in Los Angeles as a woman? 

“Coming up in this industry in Los Angeles definitely had its advantages and disadvantages. I feel that I had to work harder and push harder to prove myself to each chef and in each kitchen I worked in. At the same time, being a female cook/chef made me stand out more from the crowd, which brought more opportunities as well. I feel like things are very different today, though. The industry is changing and there are many more opportunities for women to thrive than there used to be.” – Megan Logan, executive chef of Café Pinot

Why is this annual conference important to you? 

“The Women Chefs and Restaurateurs Conference is a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the potent and unique mix of talents within the ever growing community of female chefs.” – Valerie Gordon, chef and owner of Valerie Confections

For more information, pricing, and to purchase tickets to attend the WCR 22nd Annual National Conference, visit www.womenchefs.org.

Related Posts

Recent Homebuyer Down Payments Slip for First Time in Nearly Two Years

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

April’s Median Down Payment Fell as Buyers Lean Toward Lower-Cost Homes The median down payment made by U.S. homebuyers dropped...

Del Rey Affordable Housing Project to Rise on Former Charter School Site

June 23, 2025

June 23, 2025

Community Corp., Local Faith Group Team Up to Build 122 New Apartments Plans are moving forward for a new residential...

Paris Hilton Buys Mark Wahlberg’s Beverly Park Mansion for $63.1M

June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025

The Heiress and Media Mogul Joins a Star-Studded Neighborhood Paris Hilton and husband Carter Reum have purchased a high-profile estate...

A.O.C. Brentwood to Close After 16 Years on San Vicente Boulevard

June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025

Chef Goin and Styne Cite Unsustainably High Rent in Decision to Close  A.O.C. Brentwood, the acclaimed Westside outpost from James...

LA City Councilwomen Yaroslavsky and Jurado Call for Legal Action Against Federal Immigration Raids

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

City Motion Targets Alleged Unconstitutional Tactics, End Qualified Immunity for Fed Officers  City Councilmembers Katy Yaroslavsky and Ysabel Jurado introduced...

Weekend Lane Closures on PCH in Malibu Could Snarl Summer Beach Traffic

June 21, 2025

June 21, 2025

Army Corps Work Triggers Weekend Closure on Pacific Coast Highway Motorists traveling along Pacific Coast Highway this weekend should prepare...

All Aboard to LAX: Metro Opens Game-Changing Transit Hub Ahead of Global Events

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

 New LAX/Metro Transit Center Comes Closer to Connecting Metro Directly to LAX The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro)...

Princess Diana’s Largest Wardrobe Auction Set for Beverly Hills

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Over 200 Royal Garments to Hit the Auction Block for Charity More than 200 garments and royal artifacts, including the...

Queer Beauty Through the Ages: Getty Hosts Lecture on Greek Art’s Influence on LGBTQ Aesthetics

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Art Historian to Trace Homoerotic Imagery From Ancient Greece to Modern Queer Identity As part of its ongoing Pride Month...

Food Fight on the Venice Boardwalk: Chefs Stand Up for Immigrants with Food

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Turk’s Pizza Party Rallies Top Local Eateries for an Immigrant Rights Fundraiser In a bold display of culinary activism, Turk’s...

Navy Vietnam Vet Finally Gets His UCLA Commencement Moment

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

John Fong, 80, Missed His Graduation in 1968 While in Vietnam  Nearly six decades after completing his studies, U.S. Navy...

Culver City Launches Solidarity Campaign Alongside Hate Crimes Report Presentation

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Join City Leaders on June 24 for a Community Presentation on Rising Hate Incidents Local officials and residents are invited...

Films, Flair, and Panoramas: Free Cultural Events Light Up The Ebell This Week

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

The Ebell Theatre Hosts a Double Feature of Films, Plus a Coffee Talk A pair of free public events this...

Culver City Police Nab Two Suspects in Canterbury Drive Burglary Case

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Community Tip and Set Investigation Lead to Arrest of Repeat Offenders Culver City police have arrested two suspects in connection...

9th Circuit Court Backs Trump in Battle Over California National Guard Control

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Federal Judges Allow Trump to Retain Command of Troops in Los Angeles Federal judges on Thursday cleared the way for...