James Beard Foundation Gala: Lidia Bastianich

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Super Chef is excited about the James Beard Foundation Gala that follows the awards ceremony on May 4th that will honor women in food. Super Chef has long been pressing for more recognition of the accomplishments of women chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, and mixologists who are making contributions to America's and the world's cuisines. Super Chef spoke to Lidia Bastianich, who is the chairperson for the event in a recent interview: Super Chef: How did you get involved in this event? Lidia Bastianich: I was asked by the James Beard Foundation's president (Susan Unagaro) if I would consider spear heading this great women's event. Super Chef: What is your role? Lidia Bastianich: Coordinating chefs. I am working with a whole committee doing just that. The invitation is a team effort, we all added to the lists. Super Chef: What is the criteria for choosing chefs? Lidia Bastianich: The criteria include that have not participated in a James Beard event before. We looked for geographical spread and an ethnically diversified group. We mailed restaurant reviewers across the country for suggestions. Ultimately the suggested came in, I knew a lot of them, I reviewed them, then a list was made, I think give or take one or two we have our chefs. Super Chef: Are you or your chefs participating? Lidia Bastianich: My pastry chefs from Kansas City is making desserts. Super Chef: How many chefs are participating? Lidia Bastianich: Quite a few. The count is 22 right now. The women will be in two tiers with stations with women chefs, each has their own food and station. You will walk through and then in between each setting of chef and table, there will be a selection of wine paired with that dish. Super Chef: Why do you think this gala event is important? Lidia Bastianich: It s an extraordinary platform to showcase these women chefs' flavors, intensity, and capacity to be equal on par with male chefs. There is a whole selection of all women mixologists and sommeliers. There shouldn't be a need for a strong presentation of women, they should be out there with the men. But this is an extraordinary opportunity. Women are professional. Why do we have to focus on that? Let's move on. I hope this is a big step in breaking down barriers for women in restaurants. I was one of the founders of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. The whole idea is focus on financial barriers. That was the premise. WCR is still serving a purpose. It is important to note beyond the female issue. The gala gives value, presence, and awards accomplishments in our restaurant industry. It's extremely important to get it out there. Charity starts at home. The James Beard Awards are the academy awards in our industry. They help to recognizing new talent, bring it forth, so it can grow. Super Chef: These are tough economic times. Will the Gala reflect that? Lidia Bastianich: It will. A lot of the restaurant industry has been hit. The economic strain will show - maybe the number of attendees will be down. But the awards bring visibility and awareness to our customers. Maybe they think- Gee let's go out for that dinner to that great restaurant. This gala is a wonderful event and a terrific way to support and encourage women chefs. Previous articles: Lidia's Italy and Cucina of La Marche James Beard Foundation Scholarships 2008 2006 James Beard Awards: Note Daniel Boulud James Beard Awards: Dearth of Top Women Chefs James Beard's Len Pickell Gets 1-3 Years Congratulations: James Beard Award Nominees James Beard, Emmys to Honor Julia Child James Beard Foundation's Len Pickell Pleased Guilty Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging, James Beard --> back to Super Chef