Top Women in Metro New York Foodservice & Hospitality 2019

Karen Brosius  •  C-CAP  •  New York, NY

Antoinette Bruno  •  Star Chefs  •  Brooklyn, NY

Alison Cody  •  MAFSI  •  Atlanta, GA

Gladys DiStefano  •  FBAA  •  New York NY

Randi Shubin Dresner  •  Island Harvest Food Bank  •  Mineola, NY

Melissa Fleischut  •  NYSRA  •  Albany, NY

Marilou Halvorsen  •  NJRHA  •  Trenton, NJ

Hattie Hill  •  Women’s Foodservice Forum  •  Dallas, TX

Saru Jayaraman  •  ROC  •  Oakland, CA

Sonali Jhurani  •  New York City Hospitality Alliance  •  New York, NY

Linda Lawry  •  Les Dames D’Escoffier  •  New York, NY

Linda Lawry DWS, CWE, has been a part of the International Wine Center in New York since 1985 and was the Director for 18 years. The IWC offers the wine courses of the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, the largest professional wine teaching organization in the world, offered in over 60 countries. Lawry teaches these courses. She has also been a member of the faculty of New York University since 1997 in the Department of Nutrition and Food Studies. Linda earned the WSET Level 4 Diploma in 1997 and the Professional Certificate in Spirits in 2008. She is a Certified Wine Educator from the Society of Wine Educators and is a trained chef, having earned a Certificate with Honors from the New York Restaurant School. Linda recently completed eight years as a member of the Board of Directors of the Society of Wine Educators.

Ellen Lynch  •  Food Bank For Westchester  •  Elmsford, NY

Alexa Mehraban  •  Eating My NYC  •  New York, NY

On any given day, one might find Alexa Mehraban roaming the “vibrant, limitless and inspiring” streets of New York City — usually on the hunt for the next best meal. As the founder of @EatingNYC, a food-focused guide that covers travel, fitness and luxury lifestyle, Mehraban has quickly made a name for herself, amassing more than 300 thousand followers since 2014. Inspired by both her background as a lifestyle writer and her marketing career in the hospitality industry, Mehraban decided to turn her passion project of researching and writing about restaurants into one of the most influential digital brands in New York City. Today, she works not only with food and beverage brands, but retail designers, tourism boards and local eateries as well — she’s even recently launched her first food-forward apparel line Mehraban and has promoted brands as big as Oreo and McDonald’s. If a picture is worth a thousand words, for Mehraban, it can also be worth thousands of dollars.

Debra Ryan  •  AHF-NJ  •  New Milford, NJ

Beth Shapiro  •  Citymeals-on-Wheels  •  New York, NY

Jilly Stephens  •  City Harvest  •  New York, NY

Hong Thaimee  •  Thaimee Table  •  New York, NY

Louise Vongerichten Ulukaya  •  Food Dreams Foundation  •  New York, NY

Marjorie Wolfson  •  Wellness in the Schools  •  New York, NY

Alison Awerbuch  •  Abigail Kirsch  •  New York, NY

Alison Awerbuch grew up in a home where her mom read Gourmet and enjoyed entertaining — creating a menu, setting the stage, preparing the food and serving it with style. This upbringing planted the seeds that grew into her catering career. It wasn’t, though, until half way through college that she realized those passions. She finished college with a business degree then headed to the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) for another. Her first job was at Abigail Kirsch, then a small catering company in Westchester. More than 25 years later, Alison has spent the past two decades cooking up high-end menus, designing elaborate decor and plotting grand affairs with Abigail Kirsch, one of New York City’s most respected catering firms. Today, Abigail Kirsch Catering Relationships is one of the area’s largest catering companies. They operate The Loading Dock in Stamford; Tappan Hill Mansion in Westchester; The Skylark Lounge in Manhattan; and, Pier Sixty, The Lighthouse & Current at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan.

Jenny Glasgow  •  Olivier Cheng Catering & Events  •  New York, NY

Jenny Glasgow, who worked as a senior advertising executive for more than a decade before becoming a chef, is the creative culinary force at New York’s Olivier Cheng Catering & Events, where she specializes in restaurant-caliber cuisine. Glasgow trained at the French Culinary Institute in New York and served as the director of culinary development at California-based Matthew Kenney Group before joining Olivier Cheng. With a diverse client base, including leading fashion houses, Glasgow and her team have created menus for events as far away as Doha, Qatar. For over fifteen years Glasgow has been a driving force as Olivier Cheng Catering and Events focuses on creating innovative culinary experiences in New York’s finest cultural institutions, private estates across the country, and exotic locales. From fashion editor events and fundraising galas, to weddings and intimate home dinners, Glasgow’s team designs custom events from the ground up to bring Oliver Cheng’s clients’ unique visions to life.

Abigail Kirsch  •  Abigail Kirsch  •  Briarcliff Manor, NY

Debbie Mumford  •  Mumford’s Culinary Center  •  Tinton Falls, NJ

Liz Neumark  •  Great Performances  •  New York, NY

Meredith Tepper-Leckey  •  Starr Catering  •  New York, NY

Stephanie Abrams  •  Fuku  •  Boston, MA

Einat Admony  •  Balaboosta  •  New York, NY

Suchanan Aksornnan  •  Baoburg  •  Brooklyn, NY

Alex Baker  •  Yves  •  New York, NY

Lidia Bastianich  •  B&B Hospitality  •  New York, NY

Emma Bengtsson  •  Aquavit  •  New York, NY

Sara Bigelow  •  The Meat Hook  •  New York, NY

Anna Bolz  •  Per Se  •  New York, NY

Esther Choi  •  Mokbar  •  New York, NY

Amanda Cohen  •  Dirt Candy  •  New York, NY

Suzanne Cupps   •  Untitled at the Whitney  •  New York, NY

Dianna Daoheung  •  Black Seed Bagels  •  New York, NY

Lauren DeSteno  •  Marea  •  New York, NY

Ariane Duarte  •  Ariane Kitchen & Bar  •  Verona, NJ

Alex Guarnaschelli  •  Food Network  •  New York, NY

Thea Habjanic  •  La Sirena  •  New York, NY

Gabrielle Hamilton  •  Prune  •  New York, NY

Gabrielle Hamilton would be the first to tell you that career success saw her being recognized as James Beard’s 2018 National Chef of the Year didn’t come easy. She started out as a dishwasher at the age of 12. She moved to New York and started a catering business, which she later sold in 1995 to, as she says, “escape from cooking.”  Hamilton moved to Michigan and pursued a master of fine arts degree in fiction writing at the University of Michigan. To help make ends meet, she picked up a part-time gig cooking for a catering company. Hamilton returned to New York in 1999 and opened Prune, where her culinary intentions were simple: to serve the foods she wanted to eat at home. She has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times, GQ, Bon Appetit, Saveur, and Food & Wine Magazine. Hamilton was nominated for Best Chef: New York City by the James Beard Foundation in 2009 and 2010. Her first book Blood, Bones and Butter was a New York Times bestseller. Hamilton’s second book: Kind Regards is set for an early 2019 release.

Emily Hyland  •  Emmy Squared  •  Brooklyn, NY

Patti Jackson  •  Delaware and Hudson  •  Williamsburg, NY

Rita Jammet  •  La Caravelle  •  New York, NY

Sohui Kim  •  Insa  •  Brooklyn, NY

Gloria La Grassa  •  Pluckemin Inn  •  Bedminster, NJ

Sarabeth Levine  •  Sarabeth’s  •  New York, NY

Maria Loi  •  Loi Estiatorio  •  New York, NY

Angie Mar  •  The Beatrice Inn  •  New York, NY

Zarela Martinez  •  Zarela  •  New York, NY

Erika Nakamura  •  White Gold Butchers  •  New York, NY

Mina Newman  •  Sen Sakana  •  New York, NY

Tracy Obolsky  • Rockaway Beach Bakery  •  Rockaway Beach, NY

Cyndi Perez  •  Peacock Inn  •  Princeton, NJ

Mina Pizarro  •  Juni  •  New York, NY

Alex Raij  •  El Quinto Pino / Txikito  •  New York, NY

Ann Redding  •  Uncle Boons  •  New York, NY

Missy Robbins  •  Lilia / Misi  •  New York, NY

2018 was a banner year for chef Missy Robbins. The James Beard Foundation recognized her as NYC’s Top Chef. In September, she debuted her second restaurant, the highly anticipated Misi in Williamsburg.  Robbins’ culinary career began while she was a student at Georgetown University. In 1993, a part-time job at 1789 restaurant sparked a passion for cooking, and led Robbins to attend The Institute of Culinary Education. An externship at March Restaurant with renowned Chef Wayne Nish followed, then on to Arcadia, under Chef Anne Rosenzweig. In Northern Italy, working in kitchens in Tuscany to the Michelin–rated Agli Amici in Friuli, Robbins fell in love with the simplicity and focus on quality ingredients that characterize Italian cooking. In 2003, Robbins moved to Chicago to work for Tony Mantuano. As Executive Chef of Spiaggia and Café Spiaggia, Robbins brought her passion for Italian cooking to life. She was nominated by The James Beard Foundation for Outstanding Restaurant nationally twice. From ‘08-’13, she had an award winning stay as Executive Chef at A Voce restaurants in NYC. In 2013, Missy left A Voce to pursue her biggest challenge to date – a place of her own. After nearly three years of research, Missy opened Lilia in North Williamsburg, Brooklyn in January 2016. Her thoughtful, creative approach to cooking and success led to the demand for the recently opened Misi.

Melissa Rodriguez  •  Del Posto  •  New York, NY

Laetitia Rouabah  •  Benoit  •  New York, NY

Caroline Schiff  •  Scoops & Sweets / Greene Grape  •  New York, NY

Amanda Smeltz  •  Roberta’s And Blanca  •  Brooklyn, NY

Rita Sodi  •  I Sodi / Via Carota  •  New York, NY

Daniela Soto-Innes  •  Cosme  •  New York, NY

Roxanne Spruance  •  Kingsley  •  New York, NY

Christina Tosi  •  Milk Bar  •  New York, NY

Claire Welle  •  Otway  •  Brooklyn, NY

Jody Williams  •  Buvette / Via Carota  •  New York, NY

Lily Braswell  •  Winged Foot Golf Club  •  Mamaroneck, NY

Carolyn Kepcher  •  The Redding Country Club  •  Redding, CT

Carolyn Kepcher serves as The Redding (CT) Country Club’s Chief Operating Officer and General Manager. She moved to her new post in 2018 following seven years at Aspetuck Valley Country Club.  Her track record is highlighted by both operational and marketing innovation. Kepcher is noted for her success in membership acquisition, and creating a high level membership. Her operational experience includes leading many several major projects, including Clubhouse renovations, a new terrace bar and of course golf and tennis facilities. If the picture looks familiar, yes you did see her on TV. Perhaps known best as her role as Donald Trump’s right-hand woman on the NBC Emmy Award Nominated show, “The Apprentice,” Kepcher is regarded as a successful and high profile businesswoman. Prior to her time at Aspetuck, she was the Executive Vice President at the Trump Organization and Chief Operating Officer for the Trump National Golf Clubs where she was on the development team and led the operations for the Trump National Golf Clubs in Westchester, N.Y. and Bedminster, N.J.

Lori Sahagian  •  Bronxville Field Club  •  Bronxville, NY

Iwona Sterk  •  Old Oaks Country Club  •  Purchase, NY

Iwona Sterk has forged a reputation as one of Metro New York’s and the nation’s leading club managers. Since 2016, she has served as the General Manager of Westchester’s Old Oaks Country Club. She is recognized as a motivator and relationship-builder, with strong organization skills, great work ethic, and commitment to excellence. Prior to Old Oaks, she served as the GM at Elmwood Country Club in White Plains. Sterk has operated restaurants at the Doral Arrowwood hotel conference center, Hotel Macklowe, and Hilton International’s Vista International Hotel at the World Trade Center. Among Sterk’s innovative approaches to her jobs have been her ability to create unique solutions. She has never forgotten her roots in her native Poland. So for a number of years she recruited staff in that country.  “It was only natural that I wanted to allow for others from my home land to have the opportunity for similar experiences as I have had,” Sterk said.

Davina Weinstein  •  The Harmonie Club  •  New York, NY

Barbara Boden  •  JPMorgan Chase  •  New York, NY

Barbara Boden is the Managing Director of Global Amenities at JPMorgan Chase. She has been an innovator in creating and implementing green and sustainable agendas for the company. This has included planning ion LEED certified facilities to the recent banning of plastic bottles in JPMorgan Chase’s facilities. The University of Lynchburg oversees operations in some 13 countries including self-operated and contracted dining facilities and conference centers. Her commitment to giving back to the industry also includes taking an active role with SHFM over the past 14 years.

Beth Bunster  •  Whitson’s  •  Islandia,NY

Amelia Ekus  •  Guckenheimer  •  New York, NY

Elizabeth Franks   •  ACFLI  •  Holtsville,NY

Kelly Ann Friend  •  Whitsons Culinary Group  •  Islandia, NY

Amy Greenberg  •  Citibank  •  New York, NY

Kim Lawrence  •  Flik Hospitality Group  •  New York, NY

Sally Saltzbart Minier  •  Jane Street Capital  •  New York, NY

Wendy Powell  •  Savory  •  New York, NY

Wendy Powell currently serves as Vice President Corporate Development at Savory. Prior to this post, the Roger Williams graduate was a Vice President of sales development at the Patina Restaurant Group. The Marshfield, MA native also served as a Regional Sales Director at Restaurant Associates and with Guckenheimer.

Brittany Tacopino  •  JP Morgan Chase  •  New York, NY

Victoria Vega  •  Unidine Corp  •  Boston, MA

Nicole Bonica  •  NYC Schools  •  New York, NY

Lonnie Burt  •  Hartford Schools  •  Hartford, CT

Karen DeLamater  •  Jersey City Public Schools  •  Jersey City, NJ

Vickie Dunn  •  Columbia University Dining  •  New York, NY

Karen Goodlad  •  NYC College of Technology  •  Brooklyn, NY

Nicole Langone Scarangello  •  NYC Dept of Education SchoolFood  •  New York, NY

Nicole Langone Scarangello, Director of Menu Management for the New York City Department of Education SchoolFood and Culinary Educator at LaGuardia College. Nicole’s role with SchoolFood includes overseeing 29-posted menus, and 1,230 kitchens, over 8,000 employees working in the kitchens and feeding close to one million children each school day throughout the five boroughs. She also teaches Advance Culinary Arts at LaGuardia College. As she continues on her journey as a dietitian, nutrition and culinary professional, Nicole follows a simple philosophy that she has always strongly believed in that is “to marry the art of delicious food with nutrition knowledge and to enlighten all with my craft.”

Jennifer Martin  •  New York State Schools  •  Albany, NY

New York School Nutrition Association’s Jennifer Martin started her career in association management as the Executive Director of the New York State Builders Association Research and Education Foundation. She handled the operations’ management of the Foundation to carry out its mission and strategic objectives.

Marion Nestle  •  NYU  •  New York, NY

Tonya Riggins  •  Newark Schools  •  Newark, NJ

Arlene Sailhac  •  Foodophiles  •  New York, NY

Elizabeth Schaible  •  NYC College Of Technology  •  Brooklyn, NY

Gail Sharry  •  New Haven Schools  •  New Haven, CT

Alba Aviles  •  James J Peters VA Medical Center  •  Bronx, NY

Judith Batashoff  •  Highfield Gardens Care Center  •  Bayside, NY

Dawn Cascio  •  Valley Hospital  •  Ridgewood, NJ

Andria Coleman  •  New York Presbyterian  •  New York, NY

Andria Coleman is the Food and Nutrition Operations Manager at New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital.  She is a registered dietitian with knowledge and experience in both clinical nutrition and food service operations. She currently serves as the president of the New York chapter of the Association for Healthcare Foodservice (AHF-NY). With her guidance AHF-NY has expanded its platform for professionals to use for the promotion, growth and development of nutrition and food service. Her focus on AHF-NY’s chapter creates mentoring opportunities to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experience with the next generation of healthcare foodservice professionals.

Maura Dillon  •  St. Francis Hospital & The Heart Center  •  Mineola, NY

Marvo Forde  •  Maimonides Medical Center  •  Laurelton, NY

Stephanie Giraulo  •  St. Charles Hospital  •  Port Jefferson, NY

Carol Letzter  •  Textured Food Innovations  •  Carle Place, NY

Veronica McLymont  •  Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center  •  New York, NY

Doris V. O’Neil  •  Golden Gate Rehab & Health Care Center  •  Trenton, NJ

Tatanisha Peets  •  Memorial Sloan Kettering  •  New York, NY

Tatanisha Peets has touched many lives. As part of the food and nutrition team at Memorial Sloan Kettering she has been essential in integrating the latest nutrition research into the patient experience.  Her team has reframed how registered dietitians coordinate with doctors that are especially specific for cancer treatment that patients are receiving. Peets’ career has included an invitation to speak at the United Nations on nutritional issues in developing nations. The Muhlenberg College graduate is also known for her expertise in Nutrition-related side effects during and after treatment and safe food handling and preparation. She also is committed to giving back to her industry with her involvement with AHF-New York. Peets chairs the organizations’ mentorship program as well.

Diane Tuckruskye  •  Nassau Rehabilitation & Nursing  •  Baldwin, NY

Lisa Banas  •  Mohegan Sun Casino  •  Uncasville, CT

Gina Bertucci  •  Marriott Hotels  •  New York, NY

Since 2007, Gina Bertucci has served as the New York Marriott Marquis Director of Catering Sales. Her vision has enabled her to guide a team that has made the iconic Times Square property, the venue for countless corporate and social events.  She began her career in the hospitality industry in 1990 as banquet director at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center in Staten Island, NY. There she worked with the on-site caterer Perfect Parties to supervise both sales and operations for this landmark venue, where she honed her skills in wedding planning. She started with Marriott International in 1995 at the New York Marriott Marquis, where she held progressive positions in banquets as banquet manager and ultimately director of banquets. Gina is a member of the Food & Beverage Association, the National Association of Catering Executives (NACE) and Les Amis d ’Escoffier New York. During her career, Gina has been recognized as Sales Leader of the Year by Marriott International and as Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW).

Diana Bisson  •  Foxwoods Casino  •  Mashantucket,CT

Zoe Cohen  •  The Westin New York at Times Square  •  New York, NY

Christine Devers  •  Reniassance NY Times Square Hotel  •  New York, NY

Angela Dimayuga  •  Standard International Hotel  •  New York, NY

Patricia Franco  •  Long Island Marriott  •  Uniondale, NY

The veteran hotel executive Patricia Franco was recently brought on board to guide the fortunes of the Long Island Marriott in Uniondale, NY. Patricia began her career 18 years ago at the New York Financial Center Marriott as a Banquet Manager Trainee. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management from Johnson & Wales University, she went on to increasingly complex F&B positions in the city: Asst. Director of Food & Beverage at the New York Marquis, Director of Operations at the New York Downtown Marriott, and Director of Hotel Operations at the New York Marriott East Side. Patricia has passion for developing leaders in the company, and a proven record of delivering results across the Balanced Scorecard and is a champion of the BLT process. She was the Leadership Excellence recipient for 2017 and led the first ever Junior Business Council of New York City.

Jennifer Hsieh  •  Marriot International  •  New York, NY

Terry Lewis  •  Sheraton Times Sq.  •  New York, NY

Yvonne Mancini  •  The Pierre Hotel  •  New York, NY

Laura Modica  •  HEI Hotels & Resorts  •  New York, NY

Erin Pepper  •  Life Hotel  •  New York, NY

Shannon Rinella  •  Interstate Hotels  •  New York, NY

Cornelia Samara  •  1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge  •  New York, NY

Lana Trevisan  •  Two Roads Hospitality  •  New York, NY

Fatena Williams  •  Herald Square Hotel  •  New York, NY

Laura Williamson  •  Mandarin Oriental  •  New York, NY

Joyce Appelman  •  Blue Sky Communications  •  Great Neck, NY

Marie Assante  •  Assante Public Relations  •  New York, NY

Carrie Bachman  •  Carrie Bachman Public Relations  •  New York, NY

Jennifer Baum  •  Bullfrog & Baum  •  New York, NY

Shari Bayer  •  Bayer PR  •  New York, NY

Stephanie Berghoff  •  Culintro  •  New York, NY

Andrea Clurfeld  •  Asbury Park Press  •  Asbury Park, NJ

Kerry Diamond  •  Cherry Bombe  •  New York, NY

Florence Fabricant  •  The New York Times  •  New York, NY

Audrey Farolino  •  Zagat / Google  •  New York, NY

Tara Halper  •  Key Group Worldwide  •  New York, NY

Amanda Hesser  •  Food 52  •  New York, NY

Melissa Hom  •  Melissa Hom Photography  •  New York, NY

Linda Kavanagh  •  MaxEx Public Relations  •  Stamford, CT

Amanda Kludt  •  Eater  •  New York, NY

Stephanie Kornblum  •  Culintro  •  New York, NY

Hanna Lee  •  Hanna Lee Communications  •  New York, NY

Becca Parrish  •  Becca PR  •  New York, NY

Gail Schoenberg  •  Gail Schoenberg Public Relations  •  Rutherford, NJ

Gail Schoenberg has dedicated more than fifteen years of her public relations career to the successful representation of highly acclaimed chefs, top restaurants, luxury travel, destinations, and gourmet products. Her comprehensive, intuitive understanding of clients’ methods and goals; her creative approach to maximizing client exposure; and her longstanding relationships with local and national consumer and trade media, have enabled Schoenberg to build her business.  Schoenberg is an Ohio native who has represented an all-star cast of chefs including Tom Valenti, Francois Payard, Michael White and Katy Sparks. The Kent State grad has also represented many of the major restaurant groups including: B.R. Guest Restaurants, Smith & Wollensky Restaurant Group and Alicart Restaurants.

Karen Stabiner  •  Generation Chef  •  New York, NY

Charlotte Voisey  •  Proper Pour  •  New York, NY

Holly Von Seggern  •  HRV Marketing & Communications  •  Islandia, NY

Stephanie Webster  •  CT Bites  •  Fairfield, CT

Stephanie Webster was born and raised in Manhattan with parents who loved to eat.  Her early career included a stint as a Photography Editor New Media Consultant and Strategist, Fund Raiser and volunteer for Children’s Museum in Seattle. Founded in 2009 by Webster, the site has grown to include executive editor Amy Kundrat, a dozen contributors and thousands of enthusiastic eaters. Most recently, the site has expanded its footprint from its home base in Fairfield County to embrace the entire Nutmeg state. “If you let us, we’d like to be that friend of yours that always seems to know the right place to go, the right time to visit, and the right thing to order,” Webster noted. CT Bites’ goal is to be a web-based community built by and for people who love food in Connecticut.

Korsha Wilson  •  Heritage Radio  •  Brooklyn, NY

Angie Buonpane  •  Union Square Hospitality Group  •  New York, NY

Gabrielle Carbone  •  The Bent Spoon  •  Princeton, NJ

Logan Rich Chabina  •  EMM Group  •  New York, NY

Dana Cowin  •  DBC Creative  •  New York, NY

Jeanne Cretella  •  Landmark Hospitality  •  Jersey City, NJ

Whitney Edwards  •  Eleven Madison Park  •  New York, NY

Georgette Farkas  • Rotisserie Georgette  •  New York, NY

Leslie Ferrier  •  Momofuku  •  New York, NY

Vicki Freeman  •  Cookshop/Rosie’s/Shuka  •  New York, NY

Vicki Freeman may come from a restaurant family — her parents moved her from NYC to LA to open a vegetarian cafe, The Streetcar — but that doesn’t mean she didn’t work her way up through the industry. Freeman donned a plastic dress, nurse shoes and a hairnet for her first waitressing job at iconic fast-food joint Bob’s Big Boy, before progressing to manager at her mother’s popular vegetarian restaurant. Some 25 years ago, Freeman began her New York City restaurant scene with Vix Cafe in SoHo. Freeman hired Marc Meyer as her chef and the rest is history. The relationship grew into a lifelong partnership. The couple, married in 1997, and now the lifelong hospitality vet owns a mini empire spanning downtown Manhattan that includes Cookshop, Shuka in the West Village, as well as Rosie’s and Vic’s in the East Village.  With Freeman at the helm, the duo has continued their steadfast dedication to responsibly sourced ingredients, that has lead to a reputation for creating restaurants with a devoted following.

Laura Gladish  •  Batard Restaurant  •  New York, NY

Cheryl Grabowski  •  Harvest Restaurant Group  •  Morris Plains, NJ

Yusi Guerrera  •  Citarella  •  New York, NY

Megan Humpreys  •  Four Seasons  •  New York, NY

Sueyoung Jo  •  Eleven Madison Park  •  New York, NY

Elizabeth Kellogg  •  Kellogg & Caviar  •  New York, NY

Donna Lennard  •  il Buco  •  New York, NY

Twenty-four years ago, when Donna Lennard opened Il Buco Street, she wasn’t planning to become a restaurateur. Il Buco wasn’t even a restaurant then. Lennard was an independent filmmaker caught up in a romance with an Italian, who wanted to export pieces of Americana to Europe. The pair had been collecting antiques from around the region when Lennard learned the artists at 47 Bond were planning to leave the address, which they were using as a studio, because rent was rising.  The couple signed their first 10-year lease, refitted the space, and began selling old radios, quilts, and furniture. Soon, the partners — who eventually ended their courtship but remained in business together — secured a liquor license, and they began serving wine and beer plus greenmarket salads, smoked meats and cheeses to shoppers and neighbors looking for a place to hang out. They stopped selling antiques to focus on dining. It became known for its commitment to local sourcing, and for its charming Mediterranean menu that shifts with the season — and with the chef; there’ve been several heads of kitchen at this place, including Sara Jenkins of Porsena and Porchetta, Jody Williams of Buvette, and Ignacio Mattos of Estela.

Lili Lynton  •  Dinex Group  •  New York, NY

Laura Maniec  •  Corkbuzz Wine Studio  •  New York, NY

Ivy Mix  •  Leyenda  •  Brooklyn, NY

Erin Moran  •  Union Square Hospitality Group  •  New York, NY

Mandy Oser  •  Aredesia Wine Bar  •  New York, NY

Cai Pandolfino  •  Green & Tonic  •  Greenwich, CT

Kelly Perkins    •  Bold Restaurants  •  New York, NY

Maricel Presilla  •  Cucharamama/Zafra  •  Hoboken, NJ

Jennifer Rackoff  •  Fourth Wall Restaurants • New York, NY

Rion Robbins  •  Henry’s  •  New York, NY

Julie Rose  •  Sweet Hospitality Group  •  New York, NY

Nicki Russ  •  Russ & Daughters  •  New York, NY

Amy Sacco  •  No. 8  •  New York, NY

Samantha Safer  •  Otway  •  Brooklyn, NY

Gia SanAngelo  •  Untitled at the Whitney  •  New York, NY

Christine Sanchez  •  Bold Restaurants  •  New York, NY

Sarah Ashley Schiear  •  Sarah Ashley  •  New York, NY

Neesha Seervai  •  Apple-Metro, Inc.  •  Harrison, NY

Jody Storch  •  Peter Luger Steakhouse  •  Brooklyn, NY

Gretchen Thomas  •  Barcelona Wine Bar  •  New York, NY

Kristen Tomlan  •  DO  •  New York, NY

Jillian Vose  •  Dead Rabbit  •  New York, NY

Melissa Weller  •  Sadelle’s  •  New York, NY

Melba Wilson  •  Melba’s  •  New York, NY

Pam Wiznitzer  •  Seamstress  •  New York, NY

Tren’ness Woods-Black  •  Sylvia’s  •  New York, NY

Maja Adiletta  •  Arcobaleno  •  Lancaster, PA

Lori Balter  •  Balter Sales Company  •  New York, NY

Grace Best  •  Imperial Dade  •  Jersey City, NJ

Pearl Fleischman  •  Kerekes / Bake Deco  •  Brooklyn, NY

Jenny Goodman  •  Tilit  •  New York, NY

Penny Hutner  •  Advance Tabco  •  Edgewood, NY

Lisa Kerester  •  PBAC  •  Eastchester, NY

Heather Kogan  •  The Sam Tell Companies  •  Farmingdale, NY

Sandra Kravetz  •  Performance Food Equipment Group  •  Elmwood Park, NJ

Kim Lehr  •  Performance Food Equipment Group  •  Elmwood Park, NJ

Kristine Martin  •  Steelite International  •  New York, NY

Silena Mejia  •  M. Tucker Company  •  New York, NY

Samantha Mullins  •  Waring Commercial  •  Stamford, CT

Meredith Reuben  •  EBP Supply Solutions  •  Milford, CT

Diane Rossi  •  Pro-Tek  •  Jericho, NY

Diane Rossi has built her four-decade career in foodservice by building a reputation for “giving back”. The Long Island based executive serves on numerous industry charity boards. Her commitment has included chairing the AHF-NY mentoring initiaitve and raising scholarship funds for the Partridge Invitational Foundation. Since 2018, Rossi has been an integral part of the management team of Pro-Tek. Most recently as the company’s General Manager she has expanded Pro-Tek’s OSHA and Sanitation inspection program. She has also played a key role in Pro-Tek’s upgraded technology initiative that includes the creation of a new customer portal and the expansion of tablets to maximize the customer experience.

Arlene Saunders  •  Allied Metal Spinning  •  Bronx, NY

Lynne Schultz  •  Tri-State Marketing  •  Ossining, NY

Lynne Schultz began her career in the Food Service Industry 42 years ago, on the switchboard of Traulsen. Through the next 23 years, Lynne moved her way up from customer service to accounting, to Northeast Sales Manager. In 1999, Lynne left to begin her own business, Tri-State Marketing, with her husband Bart Gobioff. Today, Tri-State Marketing represents the finest food service manufacturers in the industry and has a formable staff. Believing in giving back what has been given to them, Lynne and Bart have grown their company, recruiting young, promising talent, and helping them grow to be the next generation of food service professionals. In addition to helping those in her own company, Lynne saw an opportunity to assist the many promising young adults entering the SCIP program, a gateway to help promising individuals maximize their potential. In addition to their commitment to the food service industry, Lynne and Bart enjoy philanthropic activities ranging from building a new kitchen with Housing Works Bookstore (dedicated to ending the dual crises of homelessness and AIDS), to sponsoring activities at the SPCA of Westchester.

Arianna Staiano  •  Libbey Foodservice  •  New York, NY

Alyssa Stewart  •  Gotham City Hospitality  •  New York, NY

Jennie Tannura  •  Gotham City Hospitality  •  New York, NY

Morgan Tucker  •  Singer Equipment Co.  •  New York, NY

Adriana Unarreal  •  Balter Sales Company  •  New York, NY

Lori Weiss  •  BFA Food Service Equipment & Supplies  •  Boonton, NJ

Elizabeth Weiss  •  BHS/H. Weiss  •  Armonk, NY

Ariane Daguin  •  D’Artagnan  •  Union, NJ

Ariane Daguin is the founder, owner and CEO of D’Artagnan, the renowned gourmet food purveyor. Famous for providing humanely raised meats, from game and foie gras to organic chicken and prepared charcuterie, the name D’Artagnan is synonymous with top-quality food produced with care. Ariane was born into a world of great food. Her father, Chef André Daguin, is famous throughout France for his artistry with foie gras. Ariane was an expert at deboning ducks, rendering duck fat, preparing terrines and cooking game birds by the time she was ten. A career in food might have seemed natural, but Ariane decided to pursue an academic degree at Columbia University. While working part-time for a New York pâté producer, Ariane was in the right place when the opportunity to market the first domestically produced foie gras presented itself. She and a co-worker pooled their financial resources to launch D’Artagnan in 1985 as the first purveyor of game and foie gras in the U.S. According to Jean-Georges Vongerichten, “D’Artagnan changed food in America by introducing high quality products to the American market, items Americans weren’t familiar with like foie gras, game and wild mushrooms.”

Adrienne Diaz  •  Samuels and Son Seafood  •  New York, NY

Linda DiLisio  •  Casa DiLisio  •  Mt. Kisco, NY

As VP Operations of Casa DiLisio, Linda has been in the industry for over 30 years. During that time she has helped her parents, Lou and Lucy DiLisio market and build Casa DiLiso’s business to where it is today. Linda is a former IBM employee, learned the ins and outs of the industry and is now responsible for the daily operation of their plant and representing the company at the 35 trade shows that Casa DiLisio participates in every year. The company’s brand of sauces fits all of the criteria for Food Service and sells their products to everyone from Cruise Lines to Chain accounts to White Table Cloth establishments and every kind of operation in between.

Laura Endico-Verzello  •  Ace Endico  •  Brewster, NY

Nancy Finkelstein  •  Carousel Cakes  •  Nanuet,NY

Jaime Kriss  •  Restaurant Depot  •  College Point, NY

Valarie Leimer  •  Major Foods  •  Little Ferry, NJ

Fran Moreira  •  Restaurant Depot  •  College Point, NY

Brigitte Rounds  •  Advantage Marketing  •  Hauppauge, NY

Nicole Ruvo  •  Dom Perignon  •  New York, NY

Candy Vidovich  •  Pomptonian Foods  •  Fairfield, NJ

Gina Volaric  •  Unilever  •  Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Erika Wasserman  •  Explore Cuisine  •  Miami, FL

Leah Blackman  •  Icrave  •  New York, NY

Marlisa Brown  •  Total Wellness  •  Bay Shore, NY

Alicia Cannon  •  AJC Design  •  New York, NY

Faith Hope Consolo  •  Prudential/Douglas Elliman  •  New York, NY

Karen DiPeri  •  HMG Plus  •  New York, NY

Maureen Drum  •  Institute Of Culinary Education  •  New York, NY

Alice Elliot  •  The Elliot Group  •  Tarrytown, NY

Amanda Fugazy  •  Ellenoff, Grossman & Schole LLP  •  New York, NY

Amanda Fugazy has become a pre-eminent hospitality industry expert as she guides her firm’s Labor & Employment Law group. Fugazy is one of the most experienced practitioners in New York in the highly litigated area of wage and hour law, having litigated dozens of federal and state court cases involving claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act and the New York Labor Law. One of Fugazy’s strengths is valuing and resolving cases.  As such, Ms. Fugazy also serves as a mediator, and has successfully resolved many cases by appointment through the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York. Prior to joining EGS in 2013, she co-founded Fugazy & Rooney LLP in 2007 and was a partner at Bonnist & Cutro LLP, an associate in the New York offices of Reed Smith and Jackson Lewis, and a law clerk for the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council.

Stacy Gilbert  •  Citrin Cooperman  •  New York, NY

Rozanne Gold  •  Gold Enterprises  •  New York, NY

Stephanie Goto  •  Stephanie Goto Design  •  New York, NY

Christine Gurtler  •  Jacobs Doland Beer  •  New York, NY

As Jacobs | Doland | Beer’s Director of Design, Christine Gurtler provides leadership and strategic direction of the firm’s practical and creative processes and documentation. Those skills and passion for the industry were rewarded with Gurtler being presented with the annual MAFSI Young Lions Award for 2018, Gurtler has extensive foodservice consulting experience in hospitality and in the corporate sector, including work with top technology, finance, and law firms. Her experience includes a variety of other foodservice facilities, including university, entertainment, and retail projects. Gurtler’s broad experiences as a Consultant, LEED certified professional and hands-on Operator inform her ability to understand and respect each project’s unique needs and defining characteristics. Gurtler is an FSCIS professional member. Gurtler holds Bachelor’s degrees from Cornell University (Hospitality Management) and the Parsons School of Design (Interior Architecture).

Amanda Halle  •  Harri  •  New York, NY

Julia Heyer  •  Heyer Performance Inc.  •  New York, NY

Karen Maier  •  Nutri-Serv  •  Burlington, NJ

Heather Maloney  •  Definition Design  •  New York, NY

Tara Mastrelli  •  Studio Tano  •  New York, NY

Kim Nathanson  •  The Niemitz Design Group  •  Boston, MA

Carolyn D. Richmond  •  Fox Rothschild LLP  •  New York, NY

Amy Russo  •  Toast  •  Montclair, NJ

Janine Sangirardi  •  Day & Nite/All Service  •  New Hyde Park, NY

Cara Siegel  •  HUB International  •  New York, NY

Robin Standefer  •  Roman And Williams  •  New York, NY

Rada Tarnovsky  •  Letter Grade Consulting  •  Brooklyn, NY

Susan Villamena  •  Acrylic Flooring LLC  •  Fairfield, NJ

Therese Virserius  •  Virserius Studio  •  New York, NY

Karena Wu  •  Active Care Physical Therapists  •  New York, NY