We’re looking for up-and-coming female cooks and chefs from across the United States to participate in our Center Stage 2023 program. Through a series of rounds we will learn about you as we look to find our “class of 2023” to be sent on an all expense paid trip to the MAPP Restaurant Conference ~ Food & Wine Festival in Miami, FL on May 1, 2023. You will have the opportunity to be mentored by a stellar line-up of chefs as well as attend all of the conference activities as a VIP. At the final night’s Food, Wine & Spirits Festival you will have the opportunity to shine with your own station to put forth a dish with your mentor’s guidance and advice.
Truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn and commune with some of the best chefs in the country and get global recognition via Chef’s Roll’s 1.5 million social media following. In addition you will get kitted out with the latest Chef’s Roll apparel and gear and get featured on our website and social media channels.
PARTICIPATING CHEF MENTORS
HOW TO APPLY
Whether you are a gifted culinary student, advancing line cook that dreams of Michelin stars, seasoned chef de cuisine or even a chef owner that is looking to build an empire…we want you to apply. The access and body of knowledge that our participating mentors and the MAPP Restaurant Conference participants have is unlimited.
ROUND 1: March 1 – March 19
Step 1: Fill out the registration form below so we can learn more about you.
Step 2: Create a dish inspired by a female figure. The inspiration could come from something your grandmother used to make you or from a female Chef that you admire. Post a photo of the dish to Instagram or email it to centerstage@chefsroll.com with the description and the inspiration behind it. If posting to Instagram be sure to tag @chefsroll and use #CRcenterstage2023.
Registration now closed.
ROUND 1 RESULTS:
Congratulations to the 30 selected to advance to Round 2. You should have received an email with next steps. If you are listed below, but did not (check spam folder) receive an email, please contact centerstage@chefsroll.com for round 2 instructions.
- Amanda Bradford
- Amanda Trawick
- Amber Croom
- Anne Hart
- Brianna Murray
- Caity McKenney
- Carolina Ascanio
- Charmaine Patterson
- Denise Gesek
- Devin Muffley
- Elizabeth Mehditach
- Eva Furletti
- Jennifer Schwarzkopf
- Jesseca Naldo
- Jessica Tiffany Luevano
- Jo Soeung
- Meleana Mendoza
- Micah French
- Michellee Fox
- Mollie Guerra
- Nicole Cavanaugh
- Regynthia Elam
- Rosana Rivera
- Stefanie Martin
- Stephanie Gonzalez
- Susan Wallace
- Teena Arora
- Xinran Rao
- Zen Otto
- Zoe Schor
ROUND 2: March 21 – 27
Create what you would make your team for Family Meal. Please describe your thoughts behind the dish and why you would serve it to your team. Post a photo of the dish to Instagram or email it to centerstage@chefsroll.com with the description and the inspiration behind it. If posting to Instagram be sure to tag @chefsroll and use #CRcenterstage2023.
ROUND 2 RESULTS:
Congratulations to the 3 finalists selected to advance to Round 3:
ROUND 3: March 29 – 31
Finalists will be chosen to participate in Zoom interviews with the team at Chef’s Roll. Based on the interviews, our class of 2023 will be chosen for the all expense paid trip to the MAPP Conference ~ Food & Wine Festival in Miami, FL and prize packages.
Center Stage “Class of 2023”
Congratulations to our two winners selected to join us at this year’s MAPP Conference in Miami, FL:
WORDS FROM OUR PAST PARTICIPATING CHEFS
Thank you so very very much for selecting me to be a part of this great event and giving me the opportunity to cook for everyone! I enjoyed every moment! I gained so much in every aspect and learned so much about the behind-the-scenes of the industry. Thank you for all the gifts and everything that you’ve done to make our trip memorable.
Chef Soojin Lim
It was AMAZING. Honestly, I wasn’t sure I would enjoy the experience but man was I wrong. There were so many women who have excelled in this field from Joanna, Chef Zoe, Chef Emma, Chef Tanya, Chef Karen, and others. It was remarkable to witness the excellence in the room. However, the best part of this whole experience was meeting my fellow Center Stage winners. We chatted about our experiences at work and in life. It made me realize that I’m not crazy, emotional, pushy, out of line, or alone. We’ve all had to deal with these issues, especially as women, even more so as women of color. I cannot thank Chef’s Roll and MAPP for introducing me to them. I am also thankful that I had such a wonderful experience that I am looking forward to participating in more Chef’s Roll projects.
Chef Tanya Jimenez
The opportunity to participate in Chefs Roll Center Stage opened so many doors for me in the hospitality world. From meeting Michelin star chefs to founders of culinary organizations like the ACF, MAPP & The James Beard Foundation. Being exposed to the diversity of people during this event is an absolute privilege and would benefit any chef in the industry.
Chef Sarah Betcher
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