Membership
Dynamic, respected, driven- our members are a vetted network of women who have achieved success in their area of specialization. We are chefs and restaurateurs, wine and spirits specialists, caterers, food policy leaders, historians, nutritionists, authors, bloggers, journalists, public relations specialists, culinary educators, food stylists, entrepreneurs, food and beverage producers and more. Our chapter encompasses the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware (excluding the greater Wilmington area), and West Virginia.
Candidates for membership in Les Dames d'Escoffier Washington, DC Regional Chapter must be women who reside or work within the region with at least five years of professional experience and who demonstrate achievement and accomplished stature in the food, beverage, hospitality and related industries. Candidates must be dedicated to furthering educational and professional opportunities for women in the industry.
We seek exceptional women to bring their talent, ideas, and energy to Les Dames DC. We rely on our members to help our chapter thrive and continue our educational mission - by identifying prospective members who will enrich our organization.
Applications for membership are accepted once per year. The timeline for 2025 is as follows:
Jan 1 - Feb 1 Call for Nominations to membership; Nominations due by Feb 1
Feb 24 and 26 Zoom Q&A with prospective members
March 6 Membership applications due
March 16 In-Person Meet & Greet with applicants
Late March Recommendations for new members sent to board for review
Mid-April Board votes on new members
Late April New member notifications
If you are interested in membership, send an email to [email protected] to be added to our mailing list for public programs during the year and indicate that you want more information when our recruitment campaign opens in January 2025.
Candidates for membership in Les Dames d'Escoffier Washington, DC Regional Chapter must be women who reside or work within the region with at least five years of professional experience and who demonstrate achievement and accomplished stature in the food, beverage, hospitality and related industries. Candidates must be dedicated to furthering educational and professional opportunities for women in the industry.
We seek exceptional women to bring their talent, ideas, and energy to Les Dames DC. We rely on our members to help our chapter thrive and continue our educational mission - by identifying prospective members who will enrich our organization.
Applications for membership are accepted once per year. The timeline for 2025 is as follows:
Jan 1 - Feb 1 Call for Nominations to membership; Nominations due by Feb 1
Feb 24 and 26 Zoom Q&A with prospective members
March 6 Membership applications due
March 16 In-Person Meet & Greet with applicants
Late March Recommendations for new members sent to board for review
Mid-April Board votes on new members
Late April New member notifications
If you are interested in membership, send an email to [email protected] to be added to our mailing list for public programs during the year and indicate that you want more information when our recruitment campaign opens in January 2025.
Class of 2024
Les Dames DC Regional Chapter
Welcome to our fabulous new members!
We're so happy to have each of these accomplished women as part of our chapter!
Meet our 2024 new Dames by clicking here!
Rivka Alvial, Bar Manager, Ometeo Tex Mex Tysons
Kerry Brodie, Founder and CEO, Emma’s Torch
Laura Calderone, Founder, Relish Catering
Jennifer Chase, Photographer and Creative Director, Jennifer Chase Photography
MyungEun Cho, Head Chef/Owner, Sakuramen
Vanessa Cominsky, Wine & Spirits Specialist, Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co.
Danielle Cook, Founder, Program Director and Holistic Nutritionist, Pomegranate Plus, LLC (t/a Happily Hungry)
Brenda Cromer, CEO, Frontier Kitchen
Peggy Cormary, Commercial Photographer, Peggy Cormary Photography, LLC
Maria Denton, Food and Beverage Training Manager, Gaylord Hotels
Jennifer Farley, Jennifer Farley Photography
Tracie Franklin, Consultant, Spirited Tracy
Mel Gold, Director of Communications & Marketing, DC Central Kitchen
Lee Granados, Principal, The Granados Group
Shana Greenbaum, CEO, Healthy Fresh Meals
Alyssa Hackbarth, Assistant General Manager and Beer Director, Lyon Hall + Marketing Director, Liberty Hospitality Group
Rachael Jackson, Founder, EatOr Toss blog
Catherine Ker, Brand Food & Beverage Development, Hilton Hotels
Michelle Licht, Director of Events, National Press Club
Sylva Lin, Chef/Owner & President, Culinary Architecture Market + Kitchen
Tealye Long, Mid-Atlantic Market Manager, Coconut Cartel
Tiffany MacIsaac, Regarding Her Programming Director and Academy Co-Director
Ana Mejia, Founder/Chef, Mena’s Boys Gourmet
Maris Mokey, Senior Marketing Manager, AUI Fine Foods
Masako Morishita, Chef, Perry’s DC
Samantha Newman, Marketing Manager, Premium Distributors of DC, Reyes Beverage Group
Sara Quinteros-Fernandez, Partner, Director of Business Development, Shilling Canning Company
Bernie Rousseau, Co-Owner, Scratch Kitchen Olney
Kristen Schott, Deputy Editor of Lifestyle and Weddings, Philadelphia Magazine + freelance writer
Lela Singh, Retail and Social Media Manager, Teaism
Clementine Thomas, Co-Owner, Bold Fork Books
Jody Tick, Executive Director, Sunflower Bakery
Clare Zenczak-Murray, Associate Director, The Brand Guild
Les Dames DC Regional Chapter
Welcome to our fabulous new members!
We're so happy to have each of these accomplished women as part of our chapter!
Meet our 2024 new Dames by clicking here!
Rivka Alvial, Bar Manager, Ometeo Tex Mex Tysons
Kerry Brodie, Founder and CEO, Emma’s Torch
Laura Calderone, Founder, Relish Catering
Jennifer Chase, Photographer and Creative Director, Jennifer Chase Photography
MyungEun Cho, Head Chef/Owner, Sakuramen
Vanessa Cominsky, Wine & Spirits Specialist, Prestige-Ledroit Distributing Co.
Danielle Cook, Founder, Program Director and Holistic Nutritionist, Pomegranate Plus, LLC (t/a Happily Hungry)
Brenda Cromer, CEO, Frontier Kitchen
Peggy Cormary, Commercial Photographer, Peggy Cormary Photography, LLC
Maria Denton, Food and Beverage Training Manager, Gaylord Hotels
Jennifer Farley, Jennifer Farley Photography
Tracie Franklin, Consultant, Spirited Tracy
Mel Gold, Director of Communications & Marketing, DC Central Kitchen
Lee Granados, Principal, The Granados Group
Shana Greenbaum, CEO, Healthy Fresh Meals
Alyssa Hackbarth, Assistant General Manager and Beer Director, Lyon Hall + Marketing Director, Liberty Hospitality Group
Rachael Jackson, Founder, EatOr Toss blog
Catherine Ker, Brand Food & Beverage Development, Hilton Hotels
Michelle Licht, Director of Events, National Press Club
Sylva Lin, Chef/Owner & President, Culinary Architecture Market + Kitchen
Tealye Long, Mid-Atlantic Market Manager, Coconut Cartel
Tiffany MacIsaac, Regarding Her Programming Director and Academy Co-Director
Ana Mejia, Founder/Chef, Mena’s Boys Gourmet
Maris Mokey, Senior Marketing Manager, AUI Fine Foods
Masako Morishita, Chef, Perry’s DC
Samantha Newman, Marketing Manager, Premium Distributors of DC, Reyes Beverage Group
Sara Quinteros-Fernandez, Partner, Director of Business Development, Shilling Canning Company
Bernie Rousseau, Co-Owner, Scratch Kitchen Olney
Kristen Schott, Deputy Editor of Lifestyle and Weddings, Philadelphia Magazine + freelance writer
Lela Singh, Retail and Social Media Manager, Teaism
Clementine Thomas, Co-Owner, Bold Fork Books
Jody Tick, Executive Director, Sunflower Bakery
Clare Zenczak-Murray, Associate Director, The Brand Guild
2023 DC Regional Chapter - New Dames Class
Winnette McIntosh Ambrose: Sweet Lobby and Souk, Founder and Owner
Bonnie Buchanan: Wine & Spirit Education America, Head of Global Accounts
Amber Croom: And 4 Dessert Confectionery Studio, Founder and Executive Chef
Meryl Feinstein: Pasta Social Club, Founder
Jennie Kuperstein: Jennie K PR, Owner/President
Jen Lin-Liu: Chang Chang, Director of Events, author and freelance journalist
Avery Meetre: LRA PR, Vice President
Sara Morgan: Eleven Eleven PR, Founder and CEO
Kelly Phillips: Destination Unknown Restaurants, Restaurant Operations Management & Director of Hospitality
Rina Rapuano: L’Ardente, Unconventional Diner & Love, Makoto, Director of Marketing/PR
Lisa Ruland: Unpeeled Journal, Owner and Editor
Lauren Selman: International Food & Beverage Technology Association, VP of Operations
Maisha Spann: Food is Love Personal Chef Services, Executive Chef/Owner
Kryss Speegle: O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, Senior Director, Business to Business
Anna Spiegel: Axios, DC Reporter
Winnette McIntosh Ambrose: Sweet Lobby and Souk, Founder and Owner
Bonnie Buchanan: Wine & Spirit Education America, Head of Global Accounts
Amber Croom: And 4 Dessert Confectionery Studio, Founder and Executive Chef
Meryl Feinstein: Pasta Social Club, Founder
Jennie Kuperstein: Jennie K PR, Owner/President
Jen Lin-Liu: Chang Chang, Director of Events, author and freelance journalist
Avery Meetre: LRA PR, Vice President
Sara Morgan: Eleven Eleven PR, Founder and CEO
Kelly Phillips: Destination Unknown Restaurants, Restaurant Operations Management & Director of Hospitality
Rina Rapuano: L’Ardente, Unconventional Diner & Love, Makoto, Director of Marketing/PR
Lisa Ruland: Unpeeled Journal, Owner and Editor
Lauren Selman: International Food & Beverage Technology Association, VP of Operations
Maisha Spann: Food is Love Personal Chef Services, Executive Chef/Owner
Kryss Speegle: O’Neill Vintners & Distillers, Senior Director, Business to Business
Anna Spiegel: Axios, DC Reporter