WWRC - the place to really connect

Women Who Really Cook (WWRC) is a professional networking organization for women in the food and hospitality industry. It was founded in 1993 by Sue Zelickson, a James Beard Award winner, Twin Cities food columnist and radio personality. 

We presently have approximately 300 members who include business owners, food product developers, chefs, restaurant owners, writers, food stylists, recipe testers, artisan farmers and producers, food product managers, marketers, event planners, caterers, educators and more.

Our Mission

The mission of Women Who Really Cook is to provide our members with hospitality and food industry information, resources and on-going promotional opportunities that will help them in reaching their personal and professional goals. We provide avenues – through monthly meetings and a member-access-only website – for members to share their ideas, talents, products, job opportunities, dreams and aspirations with each other to provide help along the way to professional success in the food world.

It’s a powerful network for those seeking jobs in the food and hospitality industry or for employers seeking talented additions to their staffs. Members also use the website to highlight events and happenings in the food world, to introduce products, buy or sell equipment, find technical assistance or get help or guidance with specific needs.

WWRC also provides financial assistance for education related expenses to female students pursuing a career in the culinary arts or hospitality industry.

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

• Monthly meetings that showcase emerging and established food businesses and locales and provide an opportunity to network face-to-face with other food professionals
• Access to our discussion forums for information on meetings, member announcements, job postings, assistance requests and more, allowing members to communicate directly with each other and the entire membership
• Access to the Membership Directory
• Leadership experience gained through your involvement in the organization
• Mentorship of others through funding of the Sue Zelickson Grant, supporting women pursuing education in the food and hospitality field
• Enhanced career prospects and  educational & professional development

MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA

• Those who are employed or pursuing a position in the food or hospitality industry in the Midwest regional area
  
• Those who are attending school with a food major (culinary arts, hospitality, food science, etc.)
• Those who have paid their dues for the current membership period

MEMBERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

• Foster a community of networking, personal and professional growth among fellow members
• Honor WWRC’s request not to transfer membership information for marketing purposes or to solicit members directly on behalf of your organization or business – the Membership Directory is a private directory intended only for use by Women Who Really Cook members and not to be used in any way for a commercial solicitation. 

INVITING GUESTS TO MEETINGS

You are welcome to bring a guest to our monthly meetings as long as she meets our membership criteria and you confirm the guest invitation with the WWRC meeting planner by the RSVP date. We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing the same guest more than once. Due to space limitations, some meeting venues allow for only member attendance.

MEMBERSHIP DUES

Memberships are individual, not group. Women Who Really Cook does not have a corporate membership rate. Multiple individuals from an organization must each have an individual membership. Membership is active for 1 year from the date you joined or renewed. Membership dues are $45.00 per person annually, $25.00 for full-time students or retirees not gainfully employed.