Restaurants used to be a men's-only club. But that is changing.
On Friday, Dec. 21 starting at 9 p.m., chefs Christina Martin (Vedge, Village Belle and Blackfish) and Jennifer Choplin (Watkins Drinkery and the ill-fated Butcher & the Brewer) are throwing a holiday bash for female chefs and industry professionals at Village Belle restaurant in South Philadelphia. The party, "Belles at Belle," is intended as a celebration of women in the Philly restaurant scene.
After meeting and talking through Instagram and Twitter, the chefs agreed it was time someone gathered as many female industry folk in one room to network, talk shop and meet each other in person. The Campanaro brothers, owners of Village Belle, offered to host the event (one of the first of its kind in Philadelphia) and provide food specials and a DJ.
Men are welcome to attend, so long as they are in the biz. (As if a guy NOT in the biz would understand them.)
Admission is free (food and drinks are pay-as-you-go) but space is limited so reservations are recommended. If the fete is a success, Jennifer (right) and Christina (left) hope to make them a regular event for ladies in the industry.