PHILADELPHIA - As champions of the region's vibrant food scene, PhillyBite Magazine and WherePhilly are proud to spotlight one of the most anticipated culinary events of the fall. This Sunday, September 13, 2026, Les Dames D'Escoffier Philadelphia will host its 2026 Outstanding in Her Field Heritage Dinner.
Set along the scenic banks of the Delaware River at the historic Glen Foerd Mansion (5001 Grant Avenue), this open-air, communal feast brings together over two dozen of the region's most celebrated chefs, bakers, and restaurateurs. Proceeds from the evening directly fund scholarships for women entering the culinary, hospitality, and agricultural fields.
Honoring Culinary Legends
Since 2016, the Outstanding In Her Field award has recognized exceptional women who have shaped the food and beverage industry. This year's prestigious honorees include:
- Rose Levy Beranbaum: The legendary baker and author of The Cake Bible will debut her highly anticipated new memoir, Ma Vie en Rose: My Sweet Life, during the event. Beranbaum revolutionized American home baking by introducing precise ingredient weighting and the reverse-creaming method.
- Christopher Hirsheimer and Melissa Hamilton: The visionary founders of Canal House Station and Studio in New Jersey. Formerly of Saveur Magazine, the duo helped define modern American food journalism through their focus on seasonal, unfussy cooking rooted in the Delaware Valley.
- Michele Leff: The founder and principal of 12th Street Catering. Starting with the beloved 12th Street Cantina in Reading Terminal Market in 1982, Leff has built a massive catering empire known for its community-first approach and high-quality, love-forward cuisine.
A Star-Studded, Family-Style Feast
Embracing the "Sunday Dinner" concept popularized by Hirshheimer and Hamilton, the communal meal will highlight locally sourced ingredients and showcase the immense diversity of Philadelphia's food culture.
The evening begins with an extraordinary raw bar featuring award-winning Sweet Amalia Oysters. From there, guests will enjoy a family-style menu crafted by local culinary heavyweights:
- Joncarl Lachman (Winkel) serving Herring with Amsterdam pickled vegetables.
- Adam Delosso (12th Street Catering) presenting the iconic 12th Street Cantina Chicken Mole with Queso Fresco and Mexican Rice.
- Chris Nguyễn (Constellation Culinary) serving a plant-based Vietnamese Vegetable Root Curry with French Baguettes.
- Valerie Erwin (Geechee Girl, The People's Kitchen) presenting Beef Tenderloin with signature sauces.
- Olga Sorzano (Baba's Brew) offering a plant-based Royal Corona Bean Salad.
- Angie Brown (formerly of Rex) firing up Mediterranean Grilled Vegetables.
- Plus, a classic Seared Salmon with Chanterelles Ragout and a seasonal farm dish from Rachel Klein (Miss Rachel's Pantry).
The Grand Cake Table
To honor Rose Levy Beranbaum, the evening will culminate in a spectacular Grand Cake Table sponsored by Fantes Kitchen Shop.
Local bakeries and pastry chefs are pulling out all the stops. Night Kitchen is creating a centerpiece cake featuring a special sugar rose tribute, inspired by recipes from The Cake Bible. The dessert spread will also feature contributions from quintessential local vendors, including Isgro Pastries, Frosted Fox Cake Shop, Sunflower Bakeshop, New June, Neo Bakes, and Diane's La Patisserie.
To cap off the night, guests can indulge in a special chocolate cart from West Chester's Éclat Chocolate, ice cream from The Franklin Fountain, and fresh apples paired with local honey from Linvilla Orchards.
Ticket Information
Tickets for the 2026 Heritage Dinner are on sale now. General admission is $200, while a $300 VIP ticket includes reserved preferred seating, program recognition, and a personalized advance copy of Beranbaum's new memoir.
To secure your seat at the table and support the next generation of female culinary leaders, visit lesdamesphilly.org/events/.
