The 2019 Women in Food Issue

Sharlay Smith created her business The Lentil House based on a dish her mom would make as a family snack.

When I was growing up, my mother was in charge of all the food-related chores for the family. Every night, with the radio in the background broadcasting local news, traffic reports and old routines of the comedy duo Bob and Ray, she would prepare dinner from scratch, usually a meat of some kind and a variety of vegetable side dishes. It was during this time helping my mother in the kitchen that I acquired the cooking skills I would later use in my own household. (I also gained a deep appreciation of comedic timing, but that is another story.)

Once I started working in restaurants, however, I quickly learned this traditional view of a woman-run kitchen was not necessarily the case. Sure, there were female cooks, mainly in the pastry and dessert departments, but the majority of professional kitchens seemed to be male-dominated. Women have struggled for recognition at the top of the industry, making it even harder for them to launch and run their own businesses.

Part of the blame for this status quo falls on the media and its coverage of women. As recently as 2013, Time Magazine infamously ran a story called “Gods of Food,” highlighting 13 men in the industry. The resulting outrage demanding greater representation of women in the media and on award and “best-of” lists has slowly led to changes in the culinary world. One example of the transformation was evident in last year’s James Beard awards, when over half of the 23 award categories were won by women or people of color.

This issue of Edible explores the myriad ways females are shaping our local food system. From craft beer to cooking, farming to marketing, women are pursuing their passion and creating a vibrant food community for us all. Want to know what it takes to become a leader in a professional kitchen? Get a glimpse behind the scenes in the Chef’s Round Table discussion. Learn about career options in the culinary field besides running a restaurant. Need to fine tune your cooking skills? Read about some local women educating students of all ages on the value of preparing meals at home. Find out how one area entrepreneur went from start-up to award-winner in just one year, and much more.

There are many other women whose efforts drive the thriving food scene in Northeast Florida, and we would love to give them all credit. Tag us on social media @edibleneflorida and help us spread the word about the women you know in food.

Lauren Titus, Editor

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STORIES & RECIPES FROM THE WOMEN IN FOOD ISSUE