New Edition of the Women’s Colloquium: Women and Gastronomy
XXIII Women’s Colloquium: Spain – U.S.
Women and Gastronomy with Barbara Sibley and María José San Román
Tuesday, October 14 at 7 p.m.
This October, the International Institute will present a new edition of its Women’s Colloquium. These colloquiums emerged over three decades ago as a way to analyze ideas, challenges and achievements shaping women’s lives from both Spanish and North American perspectives.
The purpose of this year’s Colloquium is to bring together two highly acclaimed chefs who’ve built successful gastronomy businesses in different countries. Representing different culinary traditions and innovative approaches to food and entrepreneurship, Barbara Sibley (USA) and María José San Román (España) will share their experiences as chefs, business owners and pioneers for women in the food industry.
Sibley has been sharing authentic Mexican cuisine with New York City since opening her restaurant, La Palapa Cocina Mexicana, in 2000. Drawing on her childhood in Mexico and indigenous culinary practices, she recreates traditional family recipes that have earned recognition from the Sabores Auténticos de México foundation with its “distintivo” award.
San Román, owner of Monastrell in Alicante since 1996, crafts menus inspired by Mediterranean ingredients and flavors. Her restaurant has been awarded a Michelin star, two Repsol Suns, and a Sustainable Sun. During the pandemic, she launched Huerto Terramón, a farm located 15 km from the restaurant, helping Monastrell become more self-sufficient and eco-conscious.
Both chefs have been deeply involved in promoting gender equity in the culinary world. Sibley is a past president of the New York Women’s Culinary Alliance, on the Board of Directors of Les Dames D’Escoffier New York Chapter and is a member of the Women Chefs and Restaurateurs. San Román founded and directs Mujeres En Gastronomía (MEG), an organization with nearly 2,000 members that aims to make women in gastronomy more visible.
The colloquium will be held on the evening of October 14, but the Institute will also host a variety of related activities in the days surrounding the event. Be sure to check our agenda for full details on dates and times.
Por Abbey Mulcahy.
