Female cooks and chefs: Apply now for a chance to be featured at the Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference in Las Vegas!
We’re looking for up-and-coming female cooks and chefs from across the United States to participate in our Center Stage 2025 program. Through three rounds, over four weeks, we will learn about you as we look to find our “class of 2025” to be sent on an all expense paid trip to the MAPP Impact + Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, NV from March 29-31, 2025.
If chosen, you will have the opportunity to network with a stellar line-up of chefs as well as attend all of the conference activities – hosted at the world famous Wynn Resort – as a VIP. At the final night’s gala, you will have the opportunity to shine with your own station* to put forth a dish and be featured on Chef’s Roll.
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 1.75 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.
*Chef’s Roll to provide station setup, all ingredients and equipment.
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 at the Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference is unlimited.
ROUND 1: Application and Dish Post – January 28 – February 9, 2025
By February 9th, complete the following steps:
- Complete the application form below
- Post a photo of an original dish that represents your culinary style. Photo must be posted to Instagram using #CRCenterStage2025 and tag @chefsroll. If you do not have a public Instagram profile, you can email your photo to contests@chefsroll.com
ROUND 2: Dish creation and photo submission – February 12-23, 2025
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. Twenty applicants will advance to this round and be provided with a link to upload a photo of their dish. We may send you a center of plate ingredient for this round or give additional guidance – stay tuned if selected!
ROUND 3: Interviews – February 25-26, 2025
Four finalists will be chosen to participate in virtual interviews with the team at Chef’s Roll. The finalists will also receive 1 year of MAPP membership along with a Chef’s Roll Apparel package. Based on the interviews, two winners – our class of 2025 – will be chosen for the all expense paid trip to the MAPP Impact + Women in Hospitality Leadership Conference in Las Vegas, NV and prize packages. The two runners-up will receive a Chef’s Roll Apparel package.
Past Center Stage Winners and Impact
Our “Class of 2023”. These two incredible chefs won a trip to the MAPP Conference in Miami, FL:
Several previous Center Stage winners joined us at the Chef’s Roll Anti-Convention in San Diego, including Chefs Amber Croom, Soojin Lim, Enior Coronado, Kristin Rivera, Sarah Betcher, Samantha Etienne, and Jessica Tiffany.
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
