In Washington D.C., where the nation’s business is often conducted at restaurant tables, politics have always been on the plate. This town’s restaurants are run by specialists who know how to handle the elected officials, Cabinet secretaries, White House staff, lobbyists and TV pundits who are regular clientele. But lately, spurred by social media, the country’s politics have entered their dining rooms. And, even the most experienced have had publicized politically-charged incidents.

This forum will explore this distinctive element of DC dining.  Longtime area restaurateurs will share their experiences and give insight into how they handle the heightened political mood in DC’s dining rooms. 

Hosted by the DC chapter of Les Dames d’ Escoffier www.LesDamesDC.org, an international organization of women in food, beverage and hospitality industries, and moderated by veteran journalist Carol Joynt, herself a former restaurant owner, the event promises to pull back the curtain on serving DC’s who’s who.

Moderated by: Carol Joynt, award-winning author, journalist, former restaurant owner and host of The Q&A Cafe

Tickets available here.

Panelists:

Ashok Bajaj, CEO, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group which includes Bombay Club, Rasika, Oval Room

Amy Brandwein – owner, Centrolina & 3-time James Beard Foundation nominee

Ruth Gresser – founder & owner, Pizzeria Paradiso restaurants

Laurent Menoud - general manager, Café Milano

Maria Trabocchi – co-owner, Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants, which include Fiola, Fiola Mare, Del Mar, three locations of Sfoglina, Fiola Miami, and Fiola at Dopolavoro Venezia

William Washington - director of operations, Schlow Restaurant Group and former general manager BLT Prime in the Trump Hotel

Stephanie Wilkinson - owner, The Red Hen, Lexington, VA