2025 Symposium
On March 8, 2025, Les Dames d’Escoffier Washington, D.C. Regional Chapter proudly hosted its biennial symposium, Bringing It to the Table. The event brought together a vibrant community of food, beverage, and hospitality professionals for a day of learning, networking, and celebrating the impact women have had on the industry. Held at the Kellogg Conference Hotel at Gallaudet University, the symposium drew an engaged crowd of chefs, restaurateurs, writers, entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, and food lovers from across the region.
The day featured thought-provoking panel discussions and interactive workshops—all led by the DMV’s most dynamic women in the industry. Topics ranged from the future of low- and no-alcohol beverages and bread making at home to navigating workforce challenges and advancing gut health. For the first time, the symposium included Table Talks over lunch—intimate, engaging conversations between attendees and speakers, paired with a menu crafted from original recipes by members of our chapter.
This year also marked the debut of the Goody Solomon Plenary, honoring one of our chapter’s founding members, and featuring a powerful discussion on how women are transforming media, sustainability, restaurants, and advocacy in the DMV’s food landscape.
From the carefully curated sessions and generous swag bags full of culinary goodies to the energy in the room, Bringing It to the Table 2025 reflected the strength, expertise, and passion of our chapter and its commitment to supporting women in food, beverage, and hospitality.
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.