Last year, 47% of all U.S. restaurants were owned by women, according to data compiled by Boulder’s Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, based on 2024 industry demographics.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting the women who power Boulder County’s internationally known natural foods, beverage, agriculture and restaurant businesses and organizations.
The following roster making significant contributions to the local food, beverage, agriculture and restaurant landscape is impressive — and incomplete. We know there are dozens of other tastemakers.
Let us know and we will add them: nibbles@boulderweekly.com.
Kelly Kawachi
Director of meats/executive butcher at Blackbelly
“Because I received the Michelin Young Professional Award, people assume I know everything about everything. I'm still learning every day.”
Isha Rae
Co-founder and owner, Rae’s Catering and Puerto Rican Food
“I take the catering jobs that are meaningful, where I'm actually contributing to our community. I do want my food to be here, so that anybody can access it in Boulder.”
Claudia Bouvier
Founder, Pastificio
“Young women and men really care about what companies stand for. They want food they can feel good about and they want to do some good with their work.”
Mara King
Director of fermentation, Id Est Hospitality Group
“Maybe male food entrepreneurs would benefit from being humble and understanding a situation before they act.”
Phillippa Clark
Owner, Moxie Bread Co.
“Don’t be oversensitive. Don’t be precious. Get in there and keep learning how to do everything. Always upgrade your skills. Always lead with kindness.”
Anne Zoe
Mother of Edwin Zoe, founder of Zoe Ma Ma
“Always put love into your work.”
Roll call: Other BoCo tastemakers
Sheila Lucero: culinary director, Jax Fish House, Boulder and other locations
Agnes Garrigou: co-owner, Le French Café, Boulder
Jennifer Mesinger: chef, Lucky’s Bakeshop and Lucky’s Bakeshop Cafe, Boulder
Anne Cure: farmer and owner, Cure Organic Farm, Boulder
Andrea Uzarowski: chef and owner, Suti & Co., Boulder
Shamane Simons: pastry chef and owner, Shamane’s Bakery, Boulder
Rainbow Shultz: chef and owner, Jamestown Mercantile, Jamestown
Sara Martinelli: CEO, Boulder Tea Company; co-owner, Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, Three Leaf Farm, Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, Chautauqua Dining Hall, Zucca and The Huckleberry, Boulder and Louisville
Ann Cooper: chef and founder, Chef Ann Foundation, Boulder
Julia Herz: executive director, American Homebrewers Association, Boulder
Laraina James: owner, Mountain Girl Pickles, Boulder
Natascha Sherman Hess: owner, Ginger Pig, Boulder and Denver
Bee Rungtawan Kisich: co-owner and chef, Bee’s Thai Kitchen, Lafayette
Jennifer Caines: co-owner, Moksha Chocolate, Boulder
Danna Fleishman: chef and owner, Fleishman’s Bagels, Boulder
Ashley Parzych and Ariel Cooke: owners, Walnut Cafe and Southside Walnut Cafe, Boulder
Shauna Lee Strecker: chef and owner, Bella La Crema Butter, Longmont
Clara White: co-owner, Cheese Importers, Longmont
Casey Easton: owner, Food Lab, Boulder and Denver
Rebekah Hartman: co-owner, OZO Coffee Company, Boulder and Longmont
Rong Pan: co-owner, Ku Cha House of Tea, Boulder, Denver and Fort Collins
Marcy Miller: owner, Organic Sandwich Co., Boulder and Louisville
Kirstine Raynor: owner, Boulder Broth, Boulder
Audrey Kelly: owner, Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage, Boulder
Tara Shaheen and Stacy Szydlek: co-owners, Niwot Tavern, Niwot
Resham Gurung: co-owner, Kathmandu Restaurant, Nederland and Boulder
Doris Houghland: owner, The Peppercorn, Boulder
Sadie Stutzman: owner, Full Stop. Bakery, Boulder
Brook Edy: owner, Bhakti Chai, Boulder
Kristy Lewis: owner, QUINN snacks, Boulder
Gussie Walter: winemaker and owner, Augustina’s Winery, Nederland
Melody Hu: chef and owner, Sweet Diplomacy Bakery, Louisville and Los Altos, California
Rachel Irons: co-owner, Nude Foods Market, Boulder and Denver
Verity Noble: co-owner, Nude Foods Market, Boulder and Denver
Dana Faulk Query: co-owner, Big Red F Restaurant Group, Boulder
Erika Whitaker: co-owner, Id Est Hospitality Group,
Jessica Benjamin: owner, Savor Productions, Boulder
Rachael Caraluzzi: Savor Productions, Boulder
Kena Guttridge: co-owner, Ollin Farms, Longmont
Jill Skokan: co-owner, Black Cat Farmstead, Bramble & Hare, Boulder and Longmont
John Lehndorff learned how to cook from his mother, Rose Mazzola Lehndorff, and the Zen of entertaining from his sister, Barbara Lehndorff King.