The Hawai‘i Food and Wine Festival announced a new partnership with the James Beard Foundation to support women in the culinary industry, aligning with the theme for the 14th Annual Festival: Empowerment.

Since the program’s inception in 2017, three Hawai‘i-based female entrepreneurs have been selected to participate in the WEL program including HFWF chef Ahu Hettema of Istanbul Hawai‘i, Mahina Reppun of Morning Glass Coffee (an alumna of Hawai‘i Ag & Culinary Alliance’s From Cottage Industry to Commercial Enterprise program), and Jan Hori of Hawaiian Pie Company. 

During HFWF’s O‘ahu week of events, the Festival will host Culinary EmpowHERment—a culinary conversation and brunch—on Sunday, Nov. 10 at the Outrigger Reef Waikīkī Beach Resort. The event is part of the Friends of James Beard Benefit series and will serve as a fundraiser to support JBF’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program. 

The flagship initiative provides advanced educational, training, and networking opportunities for women who own or co-own brick-and-mortar food and beverage businesses across the United States with their education partner, Cornell University.The Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program is a vital component of the James Beard Foundation’s Good Food for Good mission, focusing on advocacy, racial equity, sustainability, and women’s leadership.

By partnering with HFWF, both organizations aim to uplift women in the culinary field and create lasting change. Despite women comprising more than half of culinary school students, they hold less than 7% of executive chef positions in the United States, according to a study by the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United.

Attendees of the Culinary EmpowHERment brunch will enjoy a morning of conversation, connection, and celebration, surrounded by some of the most talented women in the food and beverage industry. The event will begin with a thought-provoking panel discussion moderated by award-winning chef and founding partner of Morph Hospitality Group, Maneet Chauhan—a permanent judge on Food Network’s Chopped, which won a James Beard Broadcast Media Award in 2012.

Panelists include renowned chefs and James Beard Award nominees Reem Assil,Elizabeth Falkner, and Anita Lo. They will be joined by Sysco Hawai‘i chef Jacqueline Lau and celebrated mixologist and bar owner, Julie Reiner to share their personal journeys, insights, and the challenges they have faced while forging paths in traditionally male-dominated industries. 

Following the panel, guests will network in a walk-around brunch featuring unique culinary creations from these notable female chef panelists and Hawai‘i chef Hyun Kim. In addition to celebrating women’s achievements and resilience in the culinary world, all proceeds from HFWF’s inspiring event will benefit the WEL program and provide opportunities for established women entrepreneurs to ensure their success and increase women-owned businesses across the country, especially here in Hawai‘i.  

This partnership underscores HFWF’s commitment to supporting culinary education and empowerment. “We are thrilled to collaborate with the James Beard Foundation to champion women’s leadership in our industry,” said Denise Yamaguchi, CEO of HFWF. “Events like Culinary EmpowHERment provide a platform to celebrate the diverse talents and contributions of women, and to inspire the next generation of female leaders in food and hospitality.”

Tickets for the Culinary EmpowHERment brunch are $125 per person and available for purchase at www.HFWF.me. The full schedule of Hawai‘i Food & Wine Festival events and participating chef line up is available online at hawaiifoodandwinefestival.com.