Culinary Event to Feature Notable Women Chefs, Media Figures, Authors and Tastings

Carla Hall, chef, TV host, and cookbook author and Allison Aubrey, National Public Radio will open an exclusive all-day culinary event taking participants on a gastronomic deep dive on Sept 30th at the National Union Building in Washington, D.C.

The full-day event called “Bringing It to The Table: Talk, Taste, Transform,” will have multiple breakout sessions where guests will learn through talks, tastings and discussions; local culinary school bakers and best-selling cookbook authors will be highlighted with bake and book sales.

The event is hosted by the D.C. Chapter of Les Dames D’Escoffier. Founded in the 1970s to help support and showcase the talent and achievements of women throughout the culinary and hospitality fields, Les Dames D’Escoffier today has grown to more than 2,400 chapters across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and France.

Highlights of the all-day Event include:

• Women area restaurateurs such as Najmieh Batmanglij, Jackie Greenbaum, Jamie Leeds and Ris Lacoste talking about restaurant vs. patron issues, and their own “Bear” stories;
• Tastings of olive oil, honey, coffee, wine, French food, koji, and sake;
• Best-selling cookbook authors like Joan Nathan showcased;
• Sessions on plastic-free kitchens; the rise of small bakeries; generative AI; and, food insecurity among children in the DMV.

From Chef Jackie Greenbaum’s Charley Prime Foods. Greenbaum will be one of the notable local chefs at the all-day event. Courtesy Charley Prime Foods.

Proceeds will go toward supporting women and women-led food-related organizations in the D.C. area, through grants, mentoring, and scholarships. Since the D.C. chapter was established in 1981, it has raised and contributed nearly half a million dollars to needy and underserved individuals and communities in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.

Early bird ticket prices, beginning on August 15, are $195 per person and increase to $225 on September 25. Tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite  and include access to events and tastings. Morning refreshments and lunch from Ghostburger are included in the ticket price.