She’s been a fixture at many culinary-themed charity events, and her next one, a four-course, family-style dinner to celebrate successful women chefs and foster their continued rise in the national and international food scene, is this Sunday, April 23, at the Lake Meadows Naturals farm. Tickets are still available.
Blake, a member of the James Beard Foundation and 2017 semi-finalist for the Beard Foundation Awards in the Best Chef: South category (she was also nominated in 2013, 2015 and 2016), is also a longtime member of Women Chefs & Restaurateurs. The organization provides networking, scholarships, education and development opportunities for women to succeed in culinary careers. The dinner at Lake Meadows will raise funds for a two-year, women-focused mentorship program through Babson College, an entrepreneurial business school in Boston.
Joining Kathleen at the dinner will be her mentor, Melissa Kelly, of Primo in Maine and at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes, as well as:
- Paula DaSilva, Artisan Beach House in Miami
- Katharine Elder, Elderslie Farm and Bramble Cafe in Valley Center, Kansas
- Adrienne Grenier, 3030 Ocean in Ft. Lauderdale
- Emily Luchetti and Jenn Puccio, The Cavalier, Leo’s Oyster Bar, Larlowe and The Park Tavern in San Francisco
- Whitney Otawka, Greyfield Inn on Cumberland Island, Georgia
- Anne Quatrano, Bacchanalia, Star Provisions, Floataway Cafe, Little Bach, WH Stiles Fish Camp in Atlanta
- Gloriann Rivera, 1921 by Norman Van Aken in Mt. Dora
Crooked Can Brewing Company, a brewery at Plant Street Market in Winter Garden, will provide the beer for the event.
“Women are not good at promoting themselves, in general. We work hard and just think that people coming into the restaurant is enough. We don’t toot our own horns. Events like this really help with name recognition, and also appeal to a woman’s need to help and nurture others,” says Blake.
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This article appears in Apr 12-18, 2017.