An Incomplete List of Women You Should Know In The Restaurant Industry

In observation of International Women’s Day, Food Editor Grace Pritchett is celebrating the many remarkable women in the restaurant industry in Kansas City.

International Women’s Day is March 8th and with it brings the reminder that women and female-identifying people continue to be undervalued and unrecognized in their efforts for equality. While realizations like this have the power to upset me and anger me, I try to redirect those feelings towards celebration and support of the amazing community we have, especially in the restaurant industry. With that in mind, I took some time to reach out and speak with several female chefs and business owners in our local industry, who I would like to recognize here. In turn, they have each celebrated a woman who they think is undervalued or unrecognized in Kansas City.

The collection of women that follow are amazing individuals but this article does not begin to cover the number of notable women in our community. I look forward to continuing this article and I urge you to recognize, champion, and support the women/womxn you see around you because I bet you they deserve it.

International Women's Day 2020

Ashley Bare – Cook, Instructor, Director of Cooking School and Events at Billie's Grocery

Ashley is a KC native with international roots who learned to love food and the joy of cooking very early on from her foodie parents. Ashley started cooking professionally 10 years ago at Jean-Georges Mercer Kitchen in NYC, but promptly segued into freelance personal chef work for several years.

Cristin Llewellyn – Co-Owner, The Campground

Ashley Bare recognizes Cristin Llewellyn:

“I’ve got a lot of love for Cristin Llewellyn, co-owner of The Campground. She’s had her own textile design business for years, she’s a mom, and now she’s one half of Kansas City’s most detail oriented f&b establishments. From the design to their ability to creatively riff on the classics, they’re the only ones nailing it. But from a human perspective, they’re running their business with integrity A to Z — and for me, that’s everything.”

Sarah Hogan, CS. – General Manager, Ça Va

A Kansas City native, Sarah Hogan joined the team at Ça Va in 2014, and worked to grow the Champagne bar into a nationally-recognized establishment known as much for its innovative wine selections as for its warm hospitality.

(Photo Credit: Judy Revenaugh)

Kara Anderson – Chef de Cuisine, Verbena

Sarah Hogan recognizes Kara Anderson:

“I met Kara Anderson when she was cooking at the Rieger. Her dishes were thoughtful and delicious, but even more than that, there was something so special in the way she made people feel. Early on, when we still barely knew each other, she would come over to say hello and ask about my family as she dropped off a plate of pasta.

Flash forward a few years and luck would have it that Kara came to work with our team at Ça Va. I turned to Kara on a daily basis for advice or insight, and came to model myself after her style of leadership, which was effortless and compassionate. Kara is a natural teacher and generously offers her knowledge to those around her. Even as she juggles 2-3 jobs and wakes up early to make chocolate chip pancakes for her son, Kara finds time to meet with other women in the industry for events and initiatives that will move the mission of equality forward. Her hard work and generous camaraderie are felt in ripples throughout our community, and I am grateful every day to know her and to know that we have her on our side.”

Between The Rieger, The Restaurant at 1900, and The Sundry, Kara Anderson reps a very nice and well-deserved resumé. Starting in April 2020, Kara can be found as Chef de Cuisine at the highly-anticipated Verbena in Prairie Village.

Rachel Rinas – Chef and owner, Karbon

Kara Anderson recognizes Rachel Rinas:

“Rachel is an incredible creator in the kitchen, but above that she is incredible to work with. She is kind and incredibly considerate of her employees in an industry that tends to care more about the food than the people that create it. She is the hardest working woman I know, constantly moving and hardly sleeping. She works so hard to be the best business owner she can by pushing herself to learn more about the business side of things. I can not say enough about how she creates an atmosphere of love and understanding in her kitchen and that shows in her food.“

Chrissy Nucum – Head Dishwasher (and owner), KC Pinoy

Born and raised in the Philippines, Chrissy credits her grandmother, mother, and aunt for her love of food and cooking. She started the food truck KC Pinoy in 2015 and the restaurant of the same name in 2018 with the mission to bring traditional regional Filipino food to Kansas City.

Pam Liberda – Executive Chef, Waldo Thai

Chrissy Nucum recognizes Pam Liberda:

“When I heard of a female chef doing Northern Thai food her way, I was instantly a fan. Then I met her. And I am now officially a fangirl. Pam is unapologetically authentic to the food, to the culture, to the ingredients she serves at Waldo Thai. Don’t believe me? Look for the Pad Thai on her menu. It’s at the bottom. And you have to respect that kind of moxie. The last time I was at Waldo Thai, I tried the Crispy Mussel Pancake (Hoi Tord) and Pam came out and talked about the dish a little bit. It was something she loved making and eating but she was a little worried that no one would like it. But guess what, she put it on the menu anyway. When you put your heart on every dish, it shows. And in Pam’s case, it always tastes delicious.”

Pam is an executive chef with experience in showcasing her northern Thai cuisine. With no formal training, Pam acquired her skills by watching and cooking homey dishes alongside her mother. Now she runs the show at Waldo Thai Place.

Nancy Smith – Farina and Extra Virgin

Pam Liberda recognizes Nancy Smith:

“Nancy is a very successful business woman, running two restaurants and a catering business alongside her partner, Michael Smith. She curates and runs a wonderful wine program at Farina, and has made sure Chef Michael Smith has all the resources he needs to be successful. I admire her for the work she has done to build up her reputation in the industry.”

(Photo Credit: Jenny Wheat)

Megan Garrelts – Pastry chef & co-owner, bluestem Kansas City, MO & Rye restaurants

With over 20 years in the restaurant industry, Megan has owned and operated bluestem for 16 years, serving multi-course tasting menus, and Rye for 7 years, highlighting Midwestern comfort food and award-winning pie.

Kristine Hull – Co-owner, Fox & Pearl

Kristine and partner, Chef Vaughn Good, opened Hank Charcuterie in 2014 and Fox & Pearl in 2019, each concept with a focus on locally-sourced, handcrafted, thoughtfully-made food.

Lisa Hummel – Woodland City Micro Farm

Kristine Hull recognizes Lisa Hummel:

“Woodland City is an urban farm that is growing great produce. Lisa (and her husband Neil) have Woodland City Farm, a micro-farm in the Ivanhoe neighborhood. She left her career to become a full time farmer. With about 1/2 acre, they produce food for their local farmers market and restaurants. They are hardworking and the backbone of our restaurant efforts. I totally love that they are doing what they are in an urban setting, on a small footprint. Urban farms are directly connecting people to their food, and necessary for a sustainable future.”

Joy Stehney – Joe’s Kansas City BBQ

Megan Garrelts recognizes Joy Stehney:

“Many people know Joe’s BBQ both in Kansas City and far beyond, however not many know the man (her husband Jeff) and woman behind the brand. Joy is also our business partner at Rye and has been an amazing mentor to me in leadership & business operations. The restaurant business is very competitive and hard to live through, especially working alongside your husband. Above all, she and I are great friends that can share a glass or two of bubbles together and relate 100% on the journey we have both been through to have successful businesses.”

Jo Marie Scaglia – Owner, The Mixx and Caffetteria Café

Robin Krause recognizes Jo Marie Scaglia:

“She has inspired me to keep going and not to be afraid to go bigger and beyond just a coffee house. Creative and simply a bad ass powerhouse when it comes to the business side of restaurant ownership. With the changing trends Jo Marie never disappoints with new menu items and new fast casual locations. Quick, delicious and healthy options gives me a safe place to eat.”

Born into three generations of restaurateurs, Jo Marie comes by her love of food, cooking and creating authentic recipes honestly. In 2005, Jo Marie opened Kansas City’s first healthy fast casual restaurant, The Mixx, and turned to her Italian roots when opening Caffetteria in 2016.

Erin Brown – Owner, Dolce Bakery

Jo Marie Scaglia recognizes Erin Brown:

“I have been lucky to get to know Erin through our shared passion for food, family and hospitality. As a business owner, Erin delivers next-level integrity and service through a love for her craft, and is an incredible person to partner with whenever the opportunity presents itself. Prairie Village is lucky to have Erin as a neighbor and a friend!”

Erin opened Dolce Bakery in 2007 with the vision of creating baked goods made with care and quality ingredients. Since then, people just can’t stay away from Dolce Bakery’s famous cinnamon rolls, enormous cookies, gorgeous cakes, and other treats.

Robin Krause – Owner, Unbakery & Juicery and Billie’s Grocery

Erin Brown recognizes Robin Krause:

“I admire Robin because she is dedicated to making all that she loves and believes in accessible to our Kansas City community. I appreciate her for her honesty, sincerity, and kindness. She is strong and beautiful and I love the way she pours her heart into her work, her passions, and her family. I can't wait for everyone to see her gorgeous dreams coming true at her new restaurant, Billie's Grocery!”

Robin started in the Kansas City restaurant industry opening a chain of Filling Station Coffee Shops before turning to wellness education. With her experience in nutritional therapy and health coaching, Robin owns Unbakery & Juicery and soon-to-open Billie’s Grocery.

Sohaila Humayon – Chef/Owner, Sohaila's Kitchen

Sohaila Humayon is a self-taught cook with a Masters degree in English who began catering for family and friends when she and her family lived in California. After moving to Kansas City, Sohaila opened her own restaurant in the Lenexa Public Market where she serves fresh, authentic, homemade Pakistani/Indian cuisine with her daughters.

Susan Hagenkord – Abitino Bianco

Sohaila Humayon recognizes Susan Hagenkord:

“Susan is every woman's best friend, confidante, and support system. She's community oriented, always helps those in need, and through her boutique makes women feel beautiful in their own skin. Most will agree that your shopping experience at Abitino Bianco is more than just buying nice clothes, and having my restaurant just a few stalls away from Susan's boutique is something I'm eternally grateful for. “

Kate Blackman – General Manager, Messenger Cafe + Ibis Bakery

Kate has worked in coffee for 20 years in roles including barista, manager, trainer, roaster, menu development, and quality control.

Kat Willis – Dead Beet Taco Shop

Kate Blackman recognizes Kat Willis:

“I admire Kat and Dead Beet because, first and foremost it's absolutely delicious. Dead Beet is currently a pop-up with a weekly "residency" at Dodson's in Waldo. The menu changes but it's entirely plant-based and inventive! Kat has built Dead Beet from scratch - developing all the recipes herself, finding locations to host pop ups, and building a social media presence. If you haven't been yet, do future you a favor and go!”

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Makers & Doers, Food & DrinkGrace PritchettMarch 6, 2020Profiles, Food and Drinks, Grace Pritchett, Archives