It's All About Community
While Ruth, Fiona, Diane and Micheline were on a call they realized they needed to bring attention to DC women owned businesses that were suffering since COVID-19, many of them their friends and colleagues.
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Women's Food Fest was born out of the enthusiasm of all the women members and you can support them by dining in, grabbing food to go, getting a delivery, enjoying a drink on a terrace, gelato in the park or taking a cooking class.
"I've advocated for women in the restaurant industry for years - our issues, such as access to capital for women, are exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.
We developed Women's Food Fest to bring attention to women owners because now more than ever, we need community support to survive this crisis."
Ruth Gresser
Pizzeria Paradiso
"As a member of the DC restaurant and food community, it’s been challenging to navigate during COVID. A big part of our mission at Fishwife is sustainability, which means not only being stewards of our planet, but also active and engaged members of our community...right now the hospitality industry needs our support to survive and thrive."
"This organization highlights all the phenomenal women that work hard in the hospitality industry, which is struggling greatly. Many of us are trying to keep our doors open, we need your support by coming in, picking up or ordering. Support your neighborhood favorite or try someone new, every order helps. Together, we can make a difference."
"As part of the DC restaurant community for over a decade, I have seen our industry pivot in ways unimaginable just a short time ago. Cork has always been about community and now more than ever we need your support. I am proud to be part of this group, the spirit of women supporting one another lifts us up together so we can thrive in these unprecedented times."
Diane Gross
Cork Wine Bar
WOMEN'S FOOD FEST...Just the Beginning
Eat In, Dine In, Ship Nationwide, Purchase Gift Baskets or Gift Cards to support women owned food businesses
We are a collection of women-owned food businesses in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland. At the beginning of 2020 we joined forces and worked together to help boost our small business' during COVID-19. These women united to offer unique collaborations with other female business owners to create virtual food festivals, participate in panel discussions/Clubhouse/Instagram Live and curated thematic gift baskets. We have a lot more in store!
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Our Marketplace features specially curated food gifts - chef dinners, gift baskets, monthly specials from many of DC’s outstanding women-owned businesses. We are women entrepreneurs who took the leap to open their own businesses and have become the heart of their communities. From full service and fast casual restaurants, cooking schools, bars and lounges, ice cream and gelato stores, delis and bakeshops we work together to highlight our businesses.
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We need your support by your patronage as we navigate the new "normal" and try to keep our businesses open during this pandemic. Buy a gift basket, send a package, dine in or carry out - there is something for everyone to enjoy. Participating shops and restaurants can be found here, as a ever evolving directory of women owned food businesses. ​
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We are supported by Nycci Nellis' The List Are You On It and the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW).
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