WCR > Women Chefs & Restaurateurs Podcast

As part of the Women Chefs & Restaurateurs' 2019 National Conference, we sat down with Mike Duggan, CEO of Phillips Distilling Co, of which WCR Partner Prairie Organic Spirits is a brand. This 107 year-old family-owned company is one of the oldest in the country - yet an innovator in the grain to glass and organic movements. Listen to learn about craft, the future of organic distilling, and how the original idea for peppermint schnapps was devised! 

Featuring WCR board member Elle Simone Scott, the Founder of SheChef, and Chef and TV Personality from America’s Test Kitchen, who was dubbed an aspiring "Culinary Oprah" by Forbes Magazine.

Stephanie Hansen @StephaniesDish and @WeeklyDish Radio show interviews Elle Simone Scott @shechefinc_elle @ElleSimoneScott live from the Women Chefs & Restaurateurs National Conference 2019.

Hear from the first woman of color to be one of the test cooks on the America's Test Kitchen about the concept of implicit bias, and the issue of retention of women of color in the industry after culinary school. Also, get a snapshot into the culinary charms of her home town, Detroit!

Stephanie Hansen @StephaniesDish and @WeeklyDishMN radio show interviews Lisa Pollack, Olive Oil Ambassador of Corto and does an olive oil taste test live on air from the 2019 Women Chefs and Restaurateurs Conference. Hear about the difference between fresh and not-so-fresh olive oil, and that distinctive "olive oil tickle."

The Women of Skuna Bay Salmon
Stephanie Hansen @StephaniesDish and @WeeklyDishMN Radio show interviews Emma Rooney, Marketing Director for Skuna Bay Salmon and Jeanine Siemens, Fisherman and Operations of Skuna Bay Salmon. Discussing the history of the industry, and how salmon has the lowest environmental footprint on the entire food chain, these two women - each working in a different male-dominated industry - tell us to "never give up" if you're passionate about something! Live from the 2019 Women Chefs & Restaurateurs National Conference.

Stephanie Hansen @StephaniesDish and @WeeklyDish Radio show interviews Emily King - marketing specialist for Emmi Roth - live from the 2019 Women Chefs & Restaurateurs National Conference! Hear about some of the latest cheese trends, the art of pairing cheese with cocktails, and the chemical reaction that occurs when aging cheese in a cave in Switzerland!

Stephanie Hansen @StephaniesDish and @WeeklyDish Radio show interviews Tiffani Faison, Restaurateur and Board Member of WCR Live from the Women Chefs & Restaurateur National Conference 2019. Listen to Faison discuss her experience as a contestant on Top Chef, reactions to the Brett Cavanaugh hearings, and how the phenomenon of women "slots" in the industry leads to unnecessary competition.

WCR Guest Podcaster, Stephanie Hansen, from @StephaniesDish  and @WeeklyDish Radio show interviews Alexia Rouquette, Director of Marketing, Front of the House, at the WCR 2019 National Conference. Hear how this women-owned business, that has been supporting WCR as Conference Presenting Sponsor for the past 6 years, produces creative designs through true collaboration with chefs and restaurateurs!
 

Stephanie Hansen from @StephaniesDish and @WeeklyDish Radio show interviews Award-Winning Chef Karen Akunowicz Live from the 2019 National Women Chefs & Restaurateurs Conference. Listen to them discuss home cooks, potluck wakes, crave-able dishes, and the importance of "Saying the Thing." 

Stephanie Hansen and Stephanie March from the @WeeklyDish radio show are Live from the Women Chefs & Restaurateurs National Conference with Katy Keiffer of Heritage Radio Network's "What Doesn't Kill You: Food Industry Insights" podcast. Hear about this pioneer food station, plus insights on the changing role of women in our food systems, family farm and politics, being a "haminarian." #hamgoals

WCR Guest Podcaster, Stephanie Hansen, interviews Drew Calvert, Vice President of Innovation, Niman Ranch at the 2019 National Conference.

The Interview

Drew shares a glimpse of the meat and farming industries, typically male dominated, and Niman Ranch’s 50% female leadership being a catalyst for interest in supporting women in the industry.

Niman Ranch Women in Food Scholarship Announcement

Additionally, Drew announces the new Women in Food Scholarship that will provide one rural America young woman with a $5,000 scholarship and mentorship support from WCR- Women Chefs & Restaurateurs and the James Beard Foundation, the two organizational co-sponsors of the scholarship.

Niman Ranch Mission

Niman Ranch and its network of U.S. family farmers and ranchers raise livestock, humanely and sustainably to deliver the finest tasting meat in the world.
Niman Ranch works with one of the largest networks of small, independent U.S. family farmers and ranchers – over 720 and growing.
All Niman Ranch animals are raised outdoors or in deeply bedded pens. We lead the industry in sustainable and humane agricultural practices.
Niman Ranch raising protocols were developed with the help of animal welfare expert Dr. Temple Grandin, and are the strictest in the industry.

Drew Calvert, VP of Innovation

Drew Calvert received her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Texas – Austin, close to where she grew up. She started her career with Pricewaterhouse, in San Francisco, but a love of food lead her to change careers and attend culinary school. 

Since making that decision 20 years ago, Drew has touched many aspects of marketing and communications within the food industry. She worked with PBS chef Martin Yan and was involved with two television series as a culinary producer, developing restaurant concepts, testing recipes for cookbooks and planning events. She has held marketing positions at Whole Foods Market, a leadership role as Account Supervisor at the natural foods PR firm Fresh Ideas Group and worked in sales for the wine industry. Through all these experiences, Drew brings comprehensive expertise of retail and food service marketing and culinary expertise to the Niman Ranch team where she develops new and emerging channels for brand growth