In conjunction with its national conference, Women Chefs & Restaurateurs (WCR) on November 6 honored women who have demonstrated excellence in the culinary and hospitality industries at its 12th-Annual Women Who Inspire gala dinner and awards ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Cambridge.  

The annual WCR Women Who Inspire Awards recognize professionals who have demonstrated excellence in the kitchen, dining room, beverage profession, baking and pastry arts, community affairs, farming and food production, and for a lifetime of culinary excellence.

“We’re privileged to recognize the achievements and innovations of these incredible women,” said Jamie Leeds, WCR president and chef/owner of Hank’s Oyster Bar in Washington, D.C., and Alexandria, Va. “The honorees this year are helping to advance the work of WCR and leading the way for a new generation of women chefs and restaurateurs.”

The awards ceremony was emceed by Carla Hall, co-host of ABC-TV’s “The Chew” and executive chef/owner of Alchemy by Carla Hall in Washington, D.C., and Elizabeth Falkner, chef/owner of Citizen Cake and Orson in San Francisco and a contestant in the current season of Food Network’s “The Next Iron Chef: Super Chefs.”



Lydia Shire (center), owner of Scampo and chef/co-owner of Locke-Ober, both in Boston, receives WCR’s 2011 Golden Whisk Award. Pictured with Shire are her son, Alex Pinada, executive sous chef at Scampo, and awards-gala emcee Carla Hall, co-host of ABC-TV’s “The Chew.” Photo credit: www.callawayphoto.com.
WCR’s 2011 Women Who Inspire Award recipients are:

WCR Barbara Tropp President’s Award
Recognizing a lifetime of culinary excellence and honoring a woman who has made exceptional and lasting contributions to the foodservice industry.
Barbara Lynch, chef/owner, Barbara Lynch Gruppo (No. 9 Park, B&G Oysters, The Butcher Shop, Stir, Drink, Sportello, Menton and 9 at Home), Boston

WCR Community Service Award
Recognizing outstanding contributions in community affairs and honoring a woman whose contributions in community or civic affairs have made a strong impact on the lives of others.
Ann Cooper, director of nutrition services, Boulder Valley School District, Boulder, Colo.

WCR Educator of the Year Award sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission
Recognizing excellence in culinary education and honoring a woman whose dedication to teaching is making a difference in the culinary community.
JoAnne Cloughly, associate professor, culinary arts, State University of New York (SUNY) at Cobleskill

WCR Golden Bowl Award
Recognizing excellence in baking and pastry arts and honoring a woman whose skill in the baking and pastry arts inspires others.
Judy Mattera, chef/owner, Sweet Solutions, Swampscott, Mass.

WCR Golden Goblet Service Award
Recognizing excellence in the beverage profession and honoring a woman whose making or serving of wine, spirits, coffee or tea enhances the dining experience.
Cynthia Gold, tea sommelier, Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers

WCR Golden Plow Award sponsored by the National Honey Board
Recognizing excellence in growing or producing from nature's bounty and honoring a woman whose skill in farming or making artisanal products results in food that graces our plates while respecting the environment.
Kerry Leigh Heffernan, executive chef, Aidells Sausage Company, San Leandro, Calif.

WCR Golden Whisk Award
Recognizing excellence in the kitchen and honoring a woman whose passion and excellence as a chef or cook serves as a role model for others.
Lydia Shire, owner, Scampo, and chef/co-owner, Locke-Ober, Boston

Next year’s Women Who Inspire Awards will be presented at WCR’s national conference in Chicago.

Founded in 1993 by eight prominent women chefs and restaurateurs, WCR’s mission is to promote and enhance the education, advancement and connection of women in the culinary industry. WCR offers a variety of networking, professional and support services to more than 2,000 members representing all industry sectors. To learn more about the opportunities offered by WCR, visit www.womenchefs.org.