FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jordan Blakesley
B Public Relations
jordan@wearebpr.com
(303) 658-0605
A Virtual Celebratory Reception will Honor 12 Incredible Women Leaders for Their Work in the Food, Beverage and Hospitality Industries
The Colorado Chapter of philanthropic organization Les Dames d’Escoffier International is thrilled to recognize the award winners of the inaugural Lady Boss Festival. The Lady Boss Festival was created to honor women making an impact in Colorado’s food, beverage and hospitality industries through championing philanthropy, diversity and education.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lady Boss Festival—a culinary tour de force with a fun, interactive and educational event—will celebrate this year’s winners with a virtual ceremony in late April. The first in-person Lady Boss Festival event has been rescheduled for Saturday, April 23, 2022, which will award a new selection of winners. In honoring Colorado’s leading women of food, beverage and hospitality, the event and organization as a whole aim to raise scholarship dollars to support more women in joining the food, beverage and hospitality industries. Part of its ongoing mission, Les Dames d’Escoffier International Colorado Chapter has awarded more than $20,000 in scholarship dollars to aspiring female culinary professionals over the course of more than a decade.
The 2021 award winners include:
- Restaurant Leader – Dana Rodriguez, Chef & Co-Owner, Super Mega Bien and Work & Class
- Restaurant Leader – Tabatha Knop, Co-Owner, Super Mega Bien
- Agricultural Leader – Natalie Condon, Co-Owner, Isabelle Farm
- Agricultural Leader – Jill Skokan, Co-Founder, Black Cat Farm
- Bar Leader – Nicole Sullivan, Owner, Book Bar
- Food Retail Leader – Linda White, Owner, Cheese Importers
- Food Manufacturing Leader – Janet Johnston, Co-Owner & President, Savory Spice
- Alcoholic Beverage Leader – Karen Hoskin, CEO & Co-Owner, Montanya Distillers
- Bakery Leader – Ginger Graham, Owner, Ginger and Baker
- Food Truck Leader – Erika Rojas, Owner, Prieto’s Catering
- Community Leaders – Women Leaders of The GrowHaus
- Non-Alcoholic Beverage Leader – Linda Appel Lipsius, Co-Founder, Teatulia
“Our Chapter is proud to recognize the selected women for their strong work ethic, talented skills and sustainable efforts,” says Lee Clayton Roper, president of Les Dames d’Escoffier Colorado. “Along with awarding these women for their creative minds and innovative developments that continue to evolve and present the food, beverage and hospitality industries new opportunities, with the funds raised from our generous sponsors we’re able to provide financial support to other women seeking to grow in these industries; it’s incredibly rewarding.”
Les Dames d’Escoffier International Colorado Chapter wishes to thank the Lady Boss Festival sponsors Marczyk Fine Foods, Nimrod Wines, Savory Palate/Carol Fenster, Flowers Vineyards & Winery, Old Elk Distillery and B Public Relations.
ABOUT LES DAMES D’ESCOFFIER
LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage and hospitality fields. To do this, 2,400 members in 43 chapters worldwide provide leadership, educational opportunities and philanthropy within their communities. For more information, visit LDEI.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linked-in and Twitter.