Local Women in Food & Drink: The All-Star List

From running kitchens to making policy, crafting baked goods to growing food, it's with great pride that we celebrate our region's movers and shakers.

Pastry Chef Rebecca Reed creates desserts at b. the bakery in Jacksonville. Photo by Ian Bunch.

Women play a vital role in building and sustaining our local food community in Northeast Florida. From running kitchens to making policy, crafting baked goods to growing food, it's with great pride that we celebrate the movers and shakers from Amelia Island to Jacksonville, St. Augustine to Flagler Beach. We have compiled the following list as a way of bringing recognition to the women who are changing the way we think about food and drink in our region, but by no means is this list complete. If there's someone we've missed, please

drop us a line and provide their name and a bit of informationabout what they are doing. Make sure to also thank the following women for their efforts to strengthen our region's entire food system by supporting their programs and businesses.

CHEFS

Genie McNally – Chef-Co-owner, The Floridian

Hope Dempsey – Chef, D'Vine Cuisine Catering

Calli Marie – Chef and Owner, BREW Five Points

Erin D'Antoni – Chef, Foo Dog Curry Traders

Celestia Mobley – Chef-owner, Celestia's Coastal Cuisine

DeeAnn Hobbs – Executive Chef, Renaissance Marriott

Natasha Olivera – Chef de Cuisine, Michael's Restaurant

Jessica Green – Sous Chef, The Reef Restaurant

Constance Andrea Kingsmore – Chef de Cuisine, Asado Life Restaurant

Vernetta Stewart – Executive Chef-Owner, The Palate

Saji George – Owner, Mesa Restaurant

Sarah Harper – Pastry Chef, Orsay

Sabrina Clark-Dunn – Sous Chef, Bellwether

Ellie Schultze – Chef, Chez L'Amour

Andrea Bryant-Smith – Executive Chef/Co-owner, Farmery Bakery & Bodega

LaTasha Kaiser – Co-owner, KraVegan

Amanda Wilson – Executive Chef, Lakeview Health Addition Treatment and Recovery Center

RESTAURANT OWNERS & MANAGERS

Lorna MacDonald – Co-owner, Raintree Restaurant

Rebecca Garcia-Gonzalez – Owner/Founder, 1928 Cuban Bistro

Julie Stopelli – Owner, DOS Coffee & Wine

Jenn Ashton – Owner, Juniper Market

Meredith Corey-Disch – Owner, Community Loaves

Liz Earnest – Co-owner, Chef's Garden, Cummer Cafe

Nathalie Wu – Owner, Wicked Bao

Sara Frasca – Owner, Trasca & Co Eatery

Lindy Loose – Co-owner, Gas Full Service Restaurant

Kiley Efron – Co-owner, Taverna Restaurant

Sarah Marie Johnston – Co-owner, Prati Italia, Town Hall

Barbara Bredehoeft – Owner, b the bakery

Chantal Biergen – Owner, Belgium Barista

Deborah Emmett Nicol – Co-owner, TacoLu

Michelle Culhane-Kearney – Co-owner, Culhane’s Irish Pub

Lynda Culhane – Co-owner, Culhane’s Irish Pub

Mary Jane Culhane – Co-owner, Culhane’s Irish Pub

Aine Culhane McClung – Co-owner, Culhane’s Irish Pub

Lisa Asker – Owner, Jerry's Sports Grille

Theresa Poynter – Owner, Karibo Cafe

Erica Thompson – Co-owner, Osprey Tacos

Renee Spadaro – Co-owner, Crave Food

Elizabeth Simms – Co-owner, Late Risers Bar & Grille

Grace Ellen Forgette – Co-owner, SubCultured Subs

Misty Lake – Co-owner, Sunday

Whitney Hobbs – Co-owner, Boat Drinks Bar

Latunda Miller – Owner, Miller's Soulfood

Haley Kirk – Co-owner, Vessel Sandwich Co.

Brittny Lowrey – Managing Partner, The Happy Grilled Cheese

Nancy Ruth Barber – Owner-Manager, Breezy Coffee Shop Wine Bar

Amy Sears – Owner, Vitality Bowls Jax

Amy Tarmey – Co-owner, Buena Onda Cafe

Wendy Huyen – Owner, Paris Bánh Mì

Daisha Jones – Owner, Funnel Cake Queen

Florence Bermudes – Owner, Say So Sweets

Courtney Sherman – Co-owner, Donato's Pizza

Danielle Johnson – General Manager, Orsay

Aisha Nieves – Manager, Orsay

Madeline Hamrick – Foh Manager, Bellwether

Sherry Ohl – Manager, Bellwether

Brandye Mackey – Co-owner, Mackey’s Munchies

Nicole Prieto – Co-owner, Josephine

Terri Gamble – Owner, The Blue Hen Cafe

Trish McLemore – Co-Owner, The Ice Plant

Shandon Lucianna – Owner, 1 Foxy Lady

Melissa Schroeder – Owner, Ancient City Brunch Bar, Bourbon And Boards

FARMERS

Dora Baker – Owner, Maggie's Herbs

Tracey Westbrook – Owner, Atlantic Beach Urban Farm

Kristin Lapinski – Co-owner, Down to Earth Farm

Katie Versaggi – Farmer, Bee Hill Farm

Mavis Renfroe – Farmer, Spuds Farm

Amy Van Scoik – Co-owner, Frog Song Organics

Caria Hawkins – Executive Director, Abundant Harvests

Jen Barnes – Farmer, Barnes Family Farm

Amanda Wesley – Farmer, Wesley Wells Farm

Tina Harden – Co-owner, Somer's Garden

Jolinda Kohl – Co-owner, Somer's Garden

Lindsay Meyer – Co-owner, Congaree & Penn Farm

Kimberly Bryan Ruessler – Farmer, Lola Farms

Jordan Versaggi – Farmer, Bee Hill Blooms

Toni Carter – Owner-Farmer, Cartwheel Ranch

Sarah Salvatore – Farm Manager, White Harvest Farms

Imani Vidal – Farmer, White Harvest Farms

Mika Harrison – Owner, beekeeper, farmer and herbalist, The Herban Life

Punita Patel – Owner-Farmer, Backyard Buffalo

Ashantae Green – Farmer, Green Legacy Farm

BAKERS & BAKERIES

Meredith Corey-Disch – Owner/Baker, Community Loaves

Allison Vaughan – Owner/Baker, 1748 Bakehouse

Katie Riehm – Owner/Baker, Sweet Theory Baking Co.

Christina Longo – Owner, Stella Dolci Desserts

Sherry Stoppelbein – Hot Shot Bakery

Pilar Langthon – PilArt Cakes

Michelle McInnis – Owner/Baker, Sweet Spot and Urban Lounge

Lela Pate – Owner, Luli's Cupcakes

Nana Hammond – Owner, Jax Bread Co.

Natasha Burton – Owner, Mixed Fillings Pie

Tamera Rae Morgan – Owner, Low Five Bakes

Mackenzie Frangie – Owner, Spoonful Bakery

Kelly Crawford – Baker, Bell's Baked Stuff

Brooke Sams – Co-owner, The Mini Bar

Christy Lerin – Owner, Living Bread Co.

Harshika Patel – Owner, Cozy Tea

Charlotte Burch – Owner, Cupcake 50

Lara Lombardo – Owner, Seagull Bakery

Asia McKnight – Cake Decorator/Baker/Owner, Frutastic Creations and Bakery

Shar Caballero – Co-owner, Sweet Cravings by Shar

Sonya Adams – Owner, Sonyas 2 Sweet for Words

Rona Jakositz – Head Baker, The Urban Bean Coffeehouse Cafe

Kelly Weaver – Head Baker, Spring Park Coffee

Janelle Luce – Baker, Address Coffee

Emma Sterzinger – Baker/Owner, Songbird Pies

Brooke Wiisanen - Baker, Community Loaves

Verousce McKibbin – Pastry Chef, Omni Amelia Island

Heidi Kabath – Pastry Chef, The Ritz-Carlton

Veronica Anderson, Co-founder, Arble Baking Co.

Bailey Rowland, Co-Owner, Crème de la Cocoa

Christine Apthorp, Owner, Alms & Fare

Arlene Fores, Owner, Parfait Pastry Shop

FOOD ARTISANS & SPECIALTY SHOPS

Suzanah Raffield – Co-owner, CAMP Craft Cocktails

Rhonda Stringfellow Ryan – Co-owner, CAMP Craft Cocktails

Dana Stallings – Owner, Kilwins

Jennifer Harvey – Owner, Grater Goods

Colleen Messner – Owner, Spice and Tea Exchange

Hillary MacDonald – Co-owner, Fresh Jax

Crystal Israel – Owner, Little Black Box Jams and Jellies

Bryanne Hamilton – Co-owner, Southern Horticulture

Jean Dowdy – Co-owner, Southern Horticulture

Julieta Aguirre – Co-owner, GuanaBana Ice Pops

Ashlee Ham McCormick – Co-owner, Backyard Pops

Charlotte Tzabari – Co-owner, Olive My Pickle

Carrie Zarka Dooley – Owner, Shakti Life

Teena Laquin – Owner, Sundance Fresh Market

Treena Moreno – Owner, Mayan Summer Foods

Yvette Musgrove – Owner, My Pepper Jelly and YUM-a Southern Market

Jess Diebel – Co-owner, Makenu Chocolate

Milouda Cline – Co-owner, Cline's Custom Meats

Sarah McElrea – Co-owner, Summa Salts

Meghan Barbera – Owner, Seeductive Foods

Veronica Joy – Owner, Tex-Jax Foods

Lisa Kiral – Culinary division director, Rethreaded

FOOD TRUCKS

Ashley Amin – Chef, Fusion Food Truck

Amanda Barry Asker – Co-owner, Funkadelic Food Shack

Tera Waugerman – Co-owner, Wauga Wauga Food Truck

Vanessa Kasal – Co-owner, Big City BBQ

Natalia Lorencz – Owner, Mama's Food truck

Laura Zuckerberg – Owner, Island Girl Seafood food truck

Maritza Lathion – Co-owner, Latin Soul Grille food truck

Lakita Spann – Co-owner, Mr Potato Spread food truck

Eunice Coughlin – Co-owner, Cafe Ybor Food Truck

Erin Zrikem – Co-owner, Ez Eatz by Yaya food truck

Stephanie Goldsberry – Co-owner, Hapa Li food truck

Heloisa Oliviera – Co-owner, Delish Kebabs food trucks and restaurant

Karen Rojas – Co-owner, Josies Latin Fusion Food Truck

Kellie Rice – Co-owner, Mother Truckin Pizza food truck

Lisa ORourke – Co-owner, Roccos Pizza

Heather Bracy – Co-owner, A Flying Sausage food truck

Amy Rhoden – Co-owner, The Tot Spot food truck

Bonnie Abernathy – Co-owner, Nitrogen Creamery

Nipa Premsuk – Co-owner, The Hungry Owl Food truck

Maria Rueda-Flores – Co-owner, Alma Food Truck

Jen Ochoa – Owner, Daddy-O’s Portable Patio food truck

Amy Geske – Co-owner, The Smoked Meat Militia

Kristi Hopfer – Co-owner, Twisted Okie

Amber Boudreaux – Co-owner, Roux Food Truck

Aimee Freedman – Co-owner, Frio Gourmet Pops

Christine Thorenson – Co-owner, The Stuffed Potato Truck / About Time Creamery

Kerry McClure – Owner, Rad Ringo's Mini Donuts

Lisa Wheeler – Owner, Le Petit Cheri Cupcakery

Janete Carvalho Nunes – Owner, Brazilicious Food Truck

Nita Millbrook – Co-owner, FAE’s BBQ Food Truck

Dawn McDonald-Watkins – Co-owner, YAMO, Beachside Caffe by YAMO

DRINK

Gabby Saul – Bartender/Co-Owner, Rue Saint-Marc

Jessie Lane – Bartender, Boat Drinks Bar

Samantha Morgan – Co-owner, Vagabond Coffee Co.

Angie Brack – Co-owner, Really Good Beer Stop

Emily Everson – Bartender, Restaurant Orsay

Erin Gibson – Owner/Bartender, Root Down

Samantha Jo Bush – Bartender, Dos Gatos

Audrey Ancelin – Owner, Regard Libations

Elizabeth Jacobs – Owner, Legacy Ale Works

Jamie Rice – Owner, Show Pigeon Coffee

Kara Scremin – Co-owner, Engine 15 Brewing

Andrea Conover – Owner, Azalea City Brewing Company

Jessica Stern Harrison – Owner, Carrera Wine Cellar

Julianne Baksh-Renfroe – Owner, Juicy St. Aug

Alexandria Klempf – Owner-Founder, Sip C

Valerie Kelley – Co-Owner, Brass Tacks Coffee and Spring Park Coffee

Shannon Michelle – Beverage Director, Josephine

CATERING, COMMISSARY & HOME DELIVERY

Dana Stallings – Owner, Jax Kitchen

Hope Dempsey – Chef/Owner, D'Vine Cuisine

Jasmin Wooden – Owner, Blue Sage Cuisine

Tasha Peters – Co-Owner, By Design Catering and BDC Meals

Deanna Park – Founder, Magnolia & Thyme Culinary Concepts, Dir. of Innovation, Fresh Food Group

Kathy Godwin – Owner, Kathy's Table

Karen Fritts – Owner, Riverfront Cafe and Catering

Chriss Brown – The Empowered Kitchen, Catering by Chriss and Beaver Street Commissary

Florence Haridan – Owner, Conscious Kitchen

Forrest Masters – Owner, The Sprout Kitchen

Mimi Lan – Owner, Viglo

Synaca Stevens – Chef-Owner, Homegrown Catering & Events

Bri Murray – Chef-Owner, Culinary Experiences

Intan Agan – Chef-Owner, Intan's Kitchen & Bakery

Kelly Baxley – Chef-Owner, Kelly's Kucina

Kathleen Catherall Osteen – Chef-Owner, The Goods

TEACHING KITCHENS & NUTRITION

Andrea Rosenblatt – Owner, A Chef’s Cooking Studio

Dawn Hutchins – Owner, Florida Coastal Cooking and Wellness

Brooke Brennan – Owner, B.B. Wellness

WRITERS, FOOD ADVOCATES & ORGANIZERS

Heather Schatz – Writer, Edible Northeast Florida

Ju'Coby Pittman – CEO, President of the Clara White Mission

Katie Delaney – Fresh Access Bucks Program Manager, Feeding Florida

Leslie Kaplan – Food Activist

Evelyn "Prissy" Fletcher – Extension Agent, St. Johns County

Bonnie C. Wells – DPM Commercial Agriculture II, St. Johns County

Genora Crain-Orth – River City Chicks

Jennifer Wolfe – Women Writing for a Change

Erin Thursby – Food Writer/Editor

Julie Watkins – Executive Director, The Girls Gone Green

Brittny Lowrey – Food Blogger, Jacksonville Restaurant Reviews

Grace Stoyshich – Brand Manager, Jacksonville Restaurant Reviews, Restaurant marketer

Lisa Watterson – Brand Manager, Jacksonville Restaurant Reviews

Belinda Hulin – Writer, Cookbook Author

Kelly Johnson – Wings, Worms and Wonder

Brentley Stead – Writer

Jen Hand – Writer

Jessica Ward – Writer

Siddie Friar – Writer, food advocate

Ashantae Green – Supervisor, Duval County Soil and Water Conservation Board District, Group 4

Meghan Fiveash – Fresh Access Bucks Outreach Coordinator, Feeding Florida

Tiffany Bess – Owner, Apple Rabbit Compost, Sustainable Food Advocate

Hannah Werthman – Co-owner, Snaxsonville Food Blog

Christina Longo – Writer

Meghan Niemczyk, Chef Advisor, UNF Meals on Wings program; Associate Director, UNF Center forNutrition & Food Security

Rachel McCandless, Registered Dietitian, Feeding Northeast Florida

SPECIALTY BUSINESSES

Andrea Jones-Downs – Co-founder/CEO, The Tasting Tours

JoAnna Engel – Co-founder/CFO, The Tasting Tours

Tory Eulenfeld – Director, Member Services, National Golf Course Restaurant Association

Leigh Cort – Founder, Women’s Food Alliance

Mindy Harwood – Founder/President, CFI Marketing

Sarah Scaggs– Vice-President, CFI Marketing