SYMPOSIUM
Join us for a day of learning and community building with Les Dames d'Escoffier DC! We are thrilled to announce the return of our symposium
Bringing It to the Table: Talk. Taste. Transform.,
Kellogg Conference Hotel on the Gallaudet campus in Washington, DC.
For a limited time only–through Feb. 12–the general public can take advantage of the special early-bird rate of $130. After that, your rate will be $175.
If you can’t attend, you still can help support this dynamic day of learning by donating to the fundraising goal for the symposium via One Cause.
This year’s event promises another dynamic lineup of DMV women in food, beverage, and hospitality sharing their expertise. It will feature engaging panel discussions and hands-on workshops on topics including: the low- and no-alcohol movement; fostering an inclusive workforce; perfecting breadmaking at home; and the future for women who contribute to food, beverage, and hospitality in the DMV. Attendees will be treated to a delicious lunch crafted from Dames' recipes, highlighting the culinary talents within our chapter.
Our biennial symposiums are designed to inspire and engage through interactive discussions and workshops that explore the transformative power of food in our lives. Proceeds from them will support scholarships, grants, and mentoring programs aimed at empowering women in food and hospitality across the DC region.
We hope you'll join us for this opportunity to connect with industry leaders, chefs, and fellow food enthusiasts as we explore the intersection of food, culture, and community. More details and the day's agenda are below!
Our biennial symposiums are designed to inspire and engage through interactive discussions and workshops that explore the transformative power of food in our lives. Proceeds from them will support scholarships, grants, and mentoring programs aimed at empowering women in food and hospitality across the DC region.
We hope you'll join us for this opportunity to connect with industry leaders, chefs, and fellow food enthusiasts as we explore the intersection of food, culture, and community. More details and the day's agenda are below!
Bringing It To The Table Agenda
9:00 am - 9:30 am Registration
9:30 am - 9:45 am Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:00 am - 10:45 am Concurrent Sessions
Option 1: No & Low Alcohol – Beyond the Buzzwords: The universe of alternative spirits is growing fast. This session, led by Dames Vanessa Cominsky, wine and spirits specialist and founder of Women in Wine; and Nadine Brown, sommelier and founder of At Your Service, will guide you through the realm of no- and low-alcohol beverages, including innovative spirits and expertly crafted mocktails. Indulge in a tasting of unique and delicious options while learning about the trends shaping the beverage industry's future.
Option 2: Addressing Demands of Modern Workplaces: Wages, Immigration, Inclusivity: This session will explore critical issues, including fair wages, immigration reform, and access to quality health care and family leave. Join Joanna James, founder of the nonprofit MAPP; Dame Laura Calderone, founder of Relish Catering; Dame Jody Tick, executive director of Sunflower Bakery; and Pamela Yee, lawyer and director of the nonprofit Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate, for a thought-provoking discussion on advocating for change and creating a more equitable and inclusive workforce. Moderated by Dame Tiffany MacIsaac, founder of the beloved Buttercream Bakeshop, together they will identify solutions and strategies for women in the food and beverage industry.
11:00 am - 11:45 am Concurrent Sessions
Option 1: What’s Your Gut Telling You? How to maximize the health of your innards: Understand the complex connection between your microbiome and overall wellness while learning tips and strategies to nourish your inner ecosystem that will help you to feel your best. Join moderator Dame Susan Barocas, lifelong vegetarian and co-founder of Savor food & music experience; Johanna Hellrigl, integrated nutrition health coach and chef-restaurateur of Ama; and Dame Sara Quinteros, rare-disease specialist, “At the Table Pod” co-host, and owner of Shilling Canning Co., for this deep dive into the science and secrets of gut health.
Option 2: Be a Better Bread Baker: Home-based strategies to get you rolling in dough, with tasting: Get insider information about exceptional bread baking from grain to loaf. Join moderator Dame Katherine Miller, author and advocacy leader, in conversation with Jill Nguyen, baker and owner of Capitol Jill Baking, and Madelyn Smith, executive director of the nonprofit Common Grain Alliance. They will highlight the ways in which incorporating local grains can lead to more nourishing bakes. Learn practical tips, enjoy tastings, and discover how supporting those grains elevates your community as well.
12:00 pm - 1:45 pm Lunch, Table Talks & Vendors
Lunch will be more than just a meal—it will be a feast for your taste buds and your mind! This women-led and Dame-fed experience features a menu showcasing recipes from DC Dames.
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Break
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm Goody Solomon Plenary Session: Women Lead in the DMV: The DMV's vibrant food landscape continues to be shaped by some kick-ass female industry leaders! Join moderator Nycci Nellis, creator of “Industry Night” and co-host of “Foodie & the Beast”); Nina Oduro, co-founder of Black Women in Food and Dine Diaspora, Dame Masako Morishita, award-winning executive chef of Perry’s; and Dame Daniella Senior, founder and chief executive of Colada Shop and a member of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Culinary Partnership, as they share their diverse experiences, challenges, and contributions to our community.
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm Closing & Swag Bag Distribution
9:00 am - 9:30 am Registration
9:30 am - 9:45 am Welcome & Opening Remarks
10:00 am - 10:45 am Concurrent Sessions
Option 1: No & Low Alcohol – Beyond the Buzzwords: The universe of alternative spirits is growing fast. This session, led by Dames Vanessa Cominsky, wine and spirits specialist and founder of Women in Wine; and Nadine Brown, sommelier and founder of At Your Service, will guide you through the realm of no- and low-alcohol beverages, including innovative spirits and expertly crafted mocktails. Indulge in a tasting of unique and delicious options while learning about the trends shaping the beverage industry's future.
Option 2: Addressing Demands of Modern Workplaces: Wages, Immigration, Inclusivity: This session will explore critical issues, including fair wages, immigration reform, and access to quality health care and family leave. Join Joanna James, founder of the nonprofit MAPP; Dame Laura Calderone, founder of Relish Catering; Dame Jody Tick, executive director of Sunflower Bakery; and Pamela Yee, lawyer and director of the nonprofit Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate, for a thought-provoking discussion on advocating for change and creating a more equitable and inclusive workforce. Moderated by Dame Tiffany MacIsaac, founder of the beloved Buttercream Bakeshop, together they will identify solutions and strategies for women in the food and beverage industry.
11:00 am - 11:45 am Concurrent Sessions
Option 1: What’s Your Gut Telling You? How to maximize the health of your innards: Understand the complex connection between your microbiome and overall wellness while learning tips and strategies to nourish your inner ecosystem that will help you to feel your best. Join moderator Dame Susan Barocas, lifelong vegetarian and co-founder of Savor food & music experience; Johanna Hellrigl, integrated nutrition health coach and chef-restaurateur of Ama; and Dame Sara Quinteros, rare-disease specialist, “At the Table Pod” co-host, and owner of Shilling Canning Co., for this deep dive into the science and secrets of gut health.
Option 2: Be a Better Bread Baker: Home-based strategies to get you rolling in dough, with tasting: Get insider information about exceptional bread baking from grain to loaf. Join moderator Dame Katherine Miller, author and advocacy leader, in conversation with Jill Nguyen, baker and owner of Capitol Jill Baking, and Madelyn Smith, executive director of the nonprofit Common Grain Alliance. They will highlight the ways in which incorporating local grains can lead to more nourishing bakes. Learn practical tips, enjoy tastings, and discover how supporting those grains elevates your community as well.
12:00 pm - 1:45 pm Lunch, Table Talks & Vendors
Lunch will be more than just a meal—it will be a feast for your taste buds and your mind! This women-led and Dame-fed experience features a menu showcasing recipes from DC Dames.
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Break
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm Goody Solomon Plenary Session: Women Lead in the DMV: The DMV's vibrant food landscape continues to be shaped by some kick-ass female industry leaders! Join moderator Nycci Nellis, creator of “Industry Night” and co-host of “Foodie & the Beast”); Nina Oduro, co-founder of Black Women in Food and Dine Diaspora, Dame Masako Morishita, award-winning executive chef of Perry’s; and Dame Daniella Senior, founder and chief executive of Colada Shop and a member of the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Culinary Partnership, as they share their diverse experiences, challenges, and contributions to our community.
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm Closing & Swag Bag Distribution
2025 SPONSORS
2023 SYMPOSIUM
In the fall of 2023, Les Dames d’Escoffier Washington, D.C. Regional Chapter’s biennial symposium came back strong after a years-long hiatus. Originally conceived as a one-day showcase to highlight women’s contributions toward the transformative power of food in our lives, the most recent event was called “Bringing it to the Table: Taste, Talk, and Transform.” It brought together close to 200 attendees, including chefs and restaurateurs, beverage and hospitality professionals, cookbook authors, and policy experts who enjoyed engaging panels on advocacy, hands-on instruction, tastings, and industry workshops. Attendees went home with enviably stuffed gift bags.
Panelists in 2023 included chef and television personality Carla Hall, Jewish cookbook maven Joan Nathan, Real Food for Kids Executive Director Bonnie Moore, 2024 James Beard award winners Masako Morishita and Meryl Feinstein, food policy advocate Tambra Raye Stevenson, NPR’s Allison Aubrey, notable D.C. chef Amy Brandwein, and DC Central Kitchen Director of Communications and Marketing Mel Gold.