THIBODAUX, La. — The Chef John Folse Culinary Institute at 杏吧传媒 will host a screening of an award-winning documentary that examines why only seven percent of head chefs and restaurant owners are women when the majority of culinary students are female.
In her directorial debut, Joanna James鈥檚 film interweaves candid insights from world-renowned female chefs with a central narrative of a small-town restaurateur, Valerie James, who is also Joanna鈥檚 mother. Valerie details in both heart-wrenching and inspiring moments how she remains steadfastly focused on doing what she loves – a mission she has relentlessly pursued while raising two kids with the odds stacked mightily against her.
鈥淚 made the documentary because I was inspired to share my mother鈥檚 story, what she faced as a woman in the industry,鈥� James said. 鈥淚 realized when I started making the film that my mother鈥檚 story represented so many women going through similar experiences.鈥�
Kicking off March 1 in New York, the award-winning film will be screened 12 times across 11 states during Women鈥檚 History Month.
Throughout the tour, James is taking time to recognize local women in the food and beverage industry who have made an impact in their field. Legendary New Orleans chef, author, television host, Leah Chase, the Queen of Creole Cuisine and owner of Dooky Chase鈥檚 Restaurant, will receive a lifetime achievement award.
The event will be at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 in the Mary and Al Danos Theater, and will consist of a reception with an open bar and appetizers prepared by local chefs followed by a screening of the 74-minute film. Immediately afterward, a panel of leading women chefs from South Louisiana will discuss ways in which we can make an impact. 聽
鈥淭he ironic part about this discussion is that most culinary programs, like the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute, have predominantly women enrollees, yet professionally those numbers don鈥檛 match,鈥� James said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what the film is all about. What can we do, all of us together, to create a level playing field.鈥�
Panelists include Kristen Essig, chef and owner of Coquette in New Orleans; Katie O鈥橦ara, 杏吧传媒 alum and pastry chef at Mopho and Maypop in New Orleans; Anne Milneck, 杏吧传媒 alum and owner of Red Stick Spice Co. in Baton Rouge; and Samantha Love, 杏吧传媒 alum and assistant executive property chef at Caesars Entertainment Corporation in Baltimore, Maryland.
Culinary instructor and longtime New Orleans culinary columnist, Chef Marcelle Bienvenu will emcee the event.
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to be able to host this documentary,鈥� said department head, Chef John Kozar. 鈥淥ur enrollment at the Chef John Folse Culinary Institute is more than 65 percent female, so we have made it a priority to showcase the success of our alumni and other women in the workforce. That鈥檚 why we started and continue the Empowered Women Chefs Series, which brings in successful female chefs to connect with our students.鈥�
To view a trailer for the documentary, visit .
Tickets are $40 for the cocktail reception, the screening and the panel, or $20 for the screening and the panel. To purchase tickets, visit www.nicholls.edu/culinary/afineline.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 4, 2019
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu