Women’s Food Alliance — The 10-year journey

From taking chances to finding a place to grow and make friends

2013: Chocolate merrymaking at Peterbrooke Chocolate — deliciously educational

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2014: First Anniversary Gala at the Casa Marina Hotel with Laddie Dwyer’s “actors”

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2014: The Women’s Food Alliance continues to grow at Treasury on the Plaza

Photo by Jackie Hird/Provided by Leigh Cort

2015: Dinner at the World Golf Village Hall of Fame with Chef Deeann Hobbs, starting in the Bob Hope golf memorial gallery

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2016: Alhambra Dinner Theatre Party seeing “Sister Act” with the cast

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2016: First Coast Tech College Culinary Students — Dinner with students learning their skills

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2017: EXPO at Dana Stallings’ Jax Kitchen, featuring 30 members’ culinary businesses

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2017: Christmas at The Tournament Players Club Sawgrass.

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2018: Eleven finalists in the inaugural Kids’ Cookie Contest, “Why I Like to Bake for My Family”

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2018: Twenty-one graduates in WFA’s Food Judges Symposium — “The History, Ethics & Protocol of Judging Food Competitions”

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2019: Jax Cooking Studio Hands-On Cooking Class — lots of fun and laughter

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2020: The Inaugural Golden Pineapple Award Dinner, honoring 12 hospitality leaders

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2021: WFA’s retreat on St. Simons Island: Lighthouse Trolley and Benny’s Red Barn

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2021: The second Golden Pineapple Award Dinner recognizes 10 hospitality leaders

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2022: Fun at the Farm — dinner and line dancing at Kelly Farms

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2022: International Dinner — Grazing and chef tasting at The Barn at Palm Valley. Pictured from left are: Marie Hope, Rosaria Cammarata, Shelli McInnis, Sherry Stoppelbein and Annett Schultz.

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2023: Women’s Food Alliance expansion into Coastal Georgia! Pictured from left: Rebekah Lingenfelser (Savannah), Barbara Harris (St. Marys) and Donna MacPherson (St. Simons Island)

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

2023: Remembering When — Cookbook Exchange “Tribute to Cooking in the 1950s”

Photo courtesy of Leigh Cort

Posted Thursday, December 21, 2023 12:00 am

By Leigh Cort

When the Women’s Food Alliance was conceived in 2013, it began as a place for hospitality women to find industry connections, feel comfortable letting the stresses of the day disappear and enjoy meaningful conversations about facing many of the same business challenges and successes. Sharing the story about its 10-year journey from the first eight members to the current membership of 160 professional women (spanning St. Augustine, Florida, to Savannah, Georgia) is best told through photos that highlight each of the past 10 years.

The hospitality/food/event industry throughout Florida and Georgia continues to explode with talent, creativity and passion. The knowledge, hard work, respect and fellowship that members share leads them to believe that more women in the industry will be joining in the coming year. Their contributions are all unique; it’s an exciting journey to see, understand and celebrate their successes. Themed events each month showcase the members throughout the expanding region, giving everyone a chance to grow, find their place and make friends.