Time Magazine reported last fall that “the number of women enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America is at an all-time high.” Women now make up 47.1 percent of the student body, from less than a third in 2000. And according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than a fifth of the chefs or head cooks in the U.S. are women.
Lexington is keeping up with the trend, and on Thursday March 13, Azur Restaurant will host its first Women Chefs Dinner Series on Thursday, March 13 at 6 p.m.
The six-course tasting menu will be prepared by women chefs from the Lexington area and will focus on super foods and their positive effects on health.
A portion of the proceeds from the dinner will benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
“We wanted an opportunity to highlight the talent of some of the great women chefs in our city,” event organizer Shannon Collins, day chef at Azur, said. “We hope the dinner will bring awareness to the growing number of women in our industry, while allowing us to prepare a creative, healthy menu and raise money for a good cause.”
Chefs participating in the dinner will include: Ouita Michel, owner and chef at Holly Hill Inn, Wallace Station, Windy Corner, Midway School Bakery and Smithtown Seafood; Shannon Collins, day chef at AZUR Restaurant and Patio; Amy Harris, sous chef at Jonathan at Gratz Park; Ranada West-Riley, owner and chef of The Lexington Diner; Toa Green, owner and chef at Thai Orchid Cafe; and Vanessa Wilhite, chef/manager at Gigi’s Cupcakes.
The dinner will be held at AZUR Restaurant and Patio at 3070 Lakecrest Circle in Lexington.
Tickets will be $85 and $20 per ticket will be donated to Komen Lexington. Tickets will be available at AZUR.
