Bite of the Best

In an effort to examine the role of women in leadership positions in the culinary industry, the James Beard Foundation and Vermilion are launching the “Women in Culinary Leadership Program.”  The initiative will be announced September 18, 2012 at the “Women in Culinary Leadership Evening” at Vermilion in New York City in an event featuring a thought-provoking panel discussion plus a five-course Indian-Latin fusion dinner.

The program — spearheaded by Rohini Dey, founder of Vermilion, and Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation — aims to examine the gender imbalance in the food industry, celebrate the accomplishments of women in the field and support women working to make it in the culinary world as chefs and restaurateurs.

The evening features a panel moderated by Emmy- and James Beard Award-winner Martha Teichner of CBS News with Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia; Lidia Bastianich, chef, author and restaurateur; Dorothy Hamilton, founder and CEO, the International Culinary Center; Rohini Dey, Ph.D., founder/owner, Vermilion (NYC and Chicago); and Susan Ungaro, president, James Beard Foundation.

Rohini Dey will announce the launch of her “Chefs for Women” year-long program backed by a roster of talented and highly lauded chefs from across the country, and “The James Beard Foundation Vermilion Women in Culinary Leadership Scholarship.”

The Women in Culinary Leadership Evening will take place from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Vermilion, 480 Lexington Avenue,  New York City. Price for the five-course Indian-Latin dinner and panel discussion is $100; $135 with wine pairing.

To make a reservation, call Vermilion at 212.871.6600 or email eventsny@thevermilionrestaurant.com. For more details, go to  www.jamesbeard.org or www.thevermilionrestaurant.com.

- guest contributor