Breaking Bread and Barriers: MAPP Mentorship Meal in Austin, TX
November 2, 2023 in Austin, TX: MAPP gathered a group of inspiring women for a Mentorship Meal at the vibrant, woman-owned restaurant, El Alma founded by Alma Alcocer-Thomas. This delightful evening marked another step in MAPP's mission to empower female entrepreneurs and leaders, encouraging them to take a moment for themselves and come together as a community to elevate each other professionally.
A Feast of Empowerment
MAPP's Mentorship Meals are all about fostering connections and conversations on equal opportunity, partnership, and building a network. They take place in women-owned restaurants, where MAPP Changemaker members with invited industry leaders and mentors are treated to a complimentary evening of food, drink, and inspiring discussions.
This Mentorship Meal in Austin had a special focus on celebrating Immigrant and Latina hospitality professionals, a testament to the diversity and talent within the industry.
A Gathering of Trailblazers
The attendees at MAPP's Mentorship Meal in Austin represented a powerhouse of women in leadership roles at bustling restaurants. Their commitment to growth and mentorship was evident, as many made time in their busy schedules to be part of this special evening.
The group included:
- Joanna James, founder of MAPP Impact and filmmaker of A Fine Line
- Chef Georgeann Leaming, mentorship coordinator at MAPP and CHOPPED Food Network Alum
- Alma Alcocer-Thomas, chef & owner of El Alma (host restaurant)
- Marisela Godinez-Sanches, chef & owner of El Meson
- Janelle Romeo, owner of Shirley's Trini Kitchen
- Paola Guerrero-Smith, chef & co-owner of Buenos Aires Cafe
- Zulma Nataran, co-owner of T-Locs Sonora
- Nadia Hernandez, bar manager at Otoko and Watertrade
- Stefanie Torres, Executive Sous Chef at Canje
- Alison Clem, Owner of La Barbeque
- Annie Thomas, Executive Sous Chef at Emmer & Rye
- Lis Mariscal, Operations Director & Veracruz All Natural
- Ira Mercado-Dixon from Delta Air Lines
The evening was filled with candid conversations about the importance of self-care and the challenges women, especially Latina women, face in the industry. These trailblazers discussed unequal access to funding and the stark reality that Latina women are paid just 54 cents to the dollar of a white male. They also touched on the changing landscape for new entrepreneurs, with increased regulations on food trucks and pop-ups making it more challenging to break into the industry.
Empowering Change and Collaboration
MAPP emphasized the importance of staying vigilant and continuing to advocate for equal opportunity. The Mentorship Meal participants learned about MAPP's membership programs and advocacy events like roadMAPP D.C., where the MAPP community rallied with congresspeople on Capitol Hill to address these issues head-on.
Annie Thomas, Executive Sous Chef at Emmer & Rye, shared her personal journey. She expressed how her employer had shown unwavering dedication to mentorship and had provided her with the opportunity to lead. Inspired by this support, Annie has made it her mission to give back to aspiring chefs, just as her restaurant had believed in her.
A Glimpse into the Future
As the night drew to a close, MAPP offered an exciting preview of a new project in the works - the MAPP app. Set to launch in December 2023, this app will connect women in food and hospitality, allowing them to share resources, stay connected, and much more. The Mentorship Meal attendees were the first to hear about this exciting development.
MAPP extended heartfelt gratitude to their champion and local sponsors, including Delta Air Lines, San Pellegrino, Renaissance Hotels, and Marriott Austin, for their unwavering support in advancing the cause of gender equality in the industry.
Join the Movement
For those seeking invitations and opportunities like these, MAPP encourages them to consider becoming a MAPP Changemaker Member or hosting a Mentorship Meal, just like El Alma did. The journey continues, and the next event is on November 6 with "I'll Have What She's Having" in Houston, Texas.
In the world of food and hospitality, progress is on the menu, and MAPP is leading the way.
Follow @mappimpact on instagram and watch the event recap video here.
