Celebrate the achievements of women in the food arts at a November 9th cocktail reception at Willow. This event will showcase a 2009 calendar and recipe collection, Crowning Cuisine: More than Sugar and Spice ($12), published by Women Chefs and Restaurateurs to help fund the organization’s scholarship, internship and mentoring programs. Some two dozen local culinary stars, including Ris Lacoste (who left 1789 to open her own forthcoming restaurant), Nora Pouillon (Nora) and Jamie Leeds (CommonWealth, Hank’s Oyster Bar), will join Willow’s Tracy O’Grady and Kate Jansen in preparing hors d’oeuvres, and there will be door prizes ranging from cooking lessons to a private meal in a celebrated toque’s home (5–8 PM; $35 per person; 4301 N. Fairfax Dr., Arlington; to register, visit womenchefs.org or call 1-877-927-7787).
Attendees at the event can get a free calendar featuring female chefs and their recipes by showing their Visa Signature card at the door (for those without the card, it's $12). You can also get a copy by making a purchase with your Visa Signature card (October 27th–November 8th; minimum $10) at the restaurants and food retailers featured in Crowning Cuisine.