Last year, 47% of all U.S. restaurants were owned by women, according to data compiled by Boulder’s Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, based on 2024 industry demographics.

In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting the women who power Boulder County’s internationally known natural foods, beverage, agriculture and restaurant businesses and organizations. 

The following roster making significant contributions to the local food, beverage, agriculture and restaurant landscape is impressive — and incomplete. We know there are dozens of other tastemakers.

Let us know and we will add them: [email protected]. 

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Kelly Kawachi

Director of meats/executive butcher at Blackbelly

“Because I received the Michelin Young Professional Award, people assume I know everything about everything. I'm still learning every day.”

Read more about Kelly

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Isha Rae

Co-founder and owner, Rae’s Catering and Puerto Rican Food

“I take the catering jobs that are meaningful, where I'm actually contributing to our community. I do want my food to be here, so that anybody can access it in Boulder.”

Read more about Isha

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Claudia Bouvier

Founder, Pastificio

“Young women and men really care about what companies stand for. They want food they can feel good about and they want to do some good with their work.”

Read more about Claudia

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Mara King

Director of fermentation, Id Est Hospitality Group

“Maybe male food entrepreneurs would benefit from being humble and understanding a situation before they act.”

Read more about Mara

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Phillippa Clark

Owner, Moxie Bread Co.

“Don’t be oversensitive. Don’t be precious. Get in there and keep learning how to do everything. Always upgrade your skills. Always lead with kindness.”

Read more about Phillippa

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Anne Zoe

Mother of Edwin Zoe, founder of Zoe Ma Ma

“Always put love into your work.”

Read more about Anne

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Roll call: Other BoCo tastemakers

Sheila Lucero: culinary director, Jax Fish House, Boulder and other locations 

Agnes Garrigou: co-owner, Le French Café, Boulder 

Jennifer Mesinger: chef, Lucky’s Bakeshop and Lucky’s Bakeshop Cafe, Boulder

Anne Cure: farmer and owner, Cure Organic Farm, Boulder 

Andrea Uzarowski outside her Nordic cafe Süti & Co. Credit: Lauren DeFilippo Jackson

Andrea Uzarowski: chef and owner, Suti & Co., Boulder

Shamane Simons: pastry chef and owner, Shamane’s Bakery, Boulder

Rainbow Shultz: chef and owner, Jamestown Mercantile, Jamestown

Sara Martinelli: CEO, Boulder Tea Company; co-owner, Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, Three Leaf Farm, Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, Chautauqua Dining Hall, Zucca and The Huckleberry, Boulder and Louisville

Ann Cooper: chef and founder, Chef Ann Foundation, Boulder

Julia Herz: executive director, American Homebrewers Association, Boulder

Mountain Girl Pickles founder Laraina James holds a jar of her pickled okra. Courtesy: Mountain Girl Pickles

Laraina James: owner, Mountain Girl Pickles, Boulder 

Natascha Sherman Hess: owner, Ginger Pig, Boulder and Denver

Bee Rungtawan Kisich: co-owner and chef, Bee’s Thai Kitchen, Lafayette

Jennifer Caines: co-owner, Moksha Chocolate, Boulder 

Danna Fleishman: chef and owner, Fleishman’s Bagels, Boulder

Ashley Parzych and Ariel Cooke: owners, Walnut Cafe and Southside Walnut Cafe, Boulder 

Shauna Lee Strecker: chef and owner, Bella La Crema Butter, Longmont 

Clara White: co-owner, Cheese Importers, Longmont

Casey Easton: owner, Food Lab, Boulder and Denver 

Rebekah Hartman: co-owner, OZO Coffee Company, Boulder and Longmont

Rong Pan: co-owner, Ku Cha House of Tea, Boulder, Denver and Fort Collins

Marcy Miller: owner, Organic Sandwich Co., Boulder and Louisville

Kirstine Raynor. Courtesy: Boulder Broth

Kirstine Raynor: owner, Boulder Broth, Boulder 

Audrey Kelly: owner, Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage, Boulder

Tara Shaheen and Stacy Szydlek: co-owners, Niwot Tavern, Niwot 

Resham Gurung: co-owner, Kathmandu Restaurant, Nederland and Boulder

Doris Houghland: owner, The Peppercorn, Boulder 

Sadie Stutzman: owner, Full Stop. Bakery, Boulder  

Brook Edy: owner, Bhakti Chai, Boulder

Kristy Lewis: owner, QUINN snacks, Boulder

Gussie Walter: winemaker and owner, Augustina’s Winery, Nederland

Melody Hu: chef and owner, Sweet Diplomacy Bakery, Louisville and Los Altos, California

Nude Foods Market won best woman-owned business in 2024. Credit: David Harwi

Rachel Irons: co-owner, Nude Foods Market, Boulder and Denver

Verity Noble: co-owner, Nude Foods Market, Boulder and Denver

Dana Faulk Query: co-owner, Big Red F Restaurant Group, Boulder

Erika Whitaker: co-owner, Id Est Hospitality Group, 

Jessica Benjamin: owner, Savor Productions, Boulder 

Rachael Caraluzzi: Savor Productions, Boulder

Kena Guttridge: co-owner, Ollin Farms, Longmont

Jill Skokan: co-owner, Black Cat Farmstead, Bramble & Hare, Boulder and Longmont

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John Lehndorff learned how to cook from his mother, Rose Mazzola Lehndorff, and the Zen of entertaining from his sister, Barbara Lehndorff King.