Let’s Talk Womxn is launching nationwide on International Women’s Day with its “Dine Together & Let’s Talk” event on March 8 at 7 p.m. The organization’s objective is to increase visibility, funds and economic power for women restaurateurs during the Covid-19 crisis and beyond.
Launched in July 2020 in Chicago with 15 members, Let’s Talk Womxn now has more than 350 members in 12 cities. Each city has two to four co-hosts. Rohini Dey, Mary Aregoni, Sophie Evanoff and Clodagh Lawless represent the Chicago chapter.
Founder and leader Rohini Dey, Ph.D., owner of Vermilion restaurant in Chicago says, “Let’s Talk is not an organization, it is not an entity, or an association – from whom we women restaurateurs have received a deluge of webinars, guidelines and manuals – it is an action movement by us.”
On March 8, Guests can join a Zoom conversation with Illinois Congresswoman Marie Newman and bestselling author/TED speaker Angela Duckworth to discuss parity, power and positive collaboration. The event is not just for women, anyone can join the dialogue and fight for parity.
Along with the Zoom discussion, the event will feature a surprise multi-restaurant four course or eight course takeout dinner with dishes from Beverly Kim (Parachute and Wherewithall), Julia Momose (Kumiko), Rohini Dey (Vermilion), Christine Cikowski (Honey Butter Fried Chicken), Deann Bayless (Frontera Group), Genie Kwon (Kasama) and more. The four course meal is $85 and the eight course meal is $160.
Other Chicago chef participants include: The Chicago chef participants are Beverly Kim (Parachute and Wherewithall), Julia Momose (Kumiko), Clodagh Lawless (The Dearborn), Rohini Dey (Vermilion), Christine Cikowski (Honey Butter Fried Chicken), Deann Bayless (Frontera Group), Amy Morton (Found Kitchen, Social House), Tigist Reda (Demera), Mary Aregoni (Saigon Sisters), Genie Kwon (Kasama), Sophie Evanoff (Vanille Pâtisserie), Sandra Holl (Floriole), Mindy Gohr (Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Cafe), Julia Shell (The Dandy Crown), Agnes Rapacz (TeeGschwendner), Sarah Stegner (Prairie Grass Café), Laurence Noguier (Bistronomic), Jodi Fyfe (The Paramount Group).
Some of Let’s Talk’s past initiatives have included Women’s Restaurant Weeks, farmers market and meal kits in addition to meetings with governors and city officials.
Orders for the tasting menus must be placed by March 4 and can be ordered on Tock.
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Aliyah Armstrong is an intern at Better with a passion for arts and entertainment reporting. A senior in Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism, she is also minoring in Sociological Studies. Aliyah supports the Greater Chicago Food Depository and Black Youth Project 100, an organization that aims to create justice and freedom for all Black people.
