President of Bigelow Tea Company Among Speakers at 'Let’s Dish' at JCC

Women's Network of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven will hold "Let's Dish: Entrepreneurs Serve up Their Recipes for Success " from 5:30-8:30 p.m.  March 22.

Three distinguished culinary experts will be on a panel to enlighten attendees with stories of the trials and tribulations of being in the culinary business, moderated by a fourth culinary specialist. These four women include a restaurant owner, executive chef, food writer, and the president of Bigelow Tea Company. 

Carole Peck is the owner of Good News Café in Woodbury.  After attending the Culinary Institute of America, Ms. Peck won a coveted fellowship to apprentice with legendary chef Fernand Granger of Le Pavillon restaurant.  She has served celebrities including Dustin Hoffman, Martin Scorcese, Mia Farrow, and Arthur Miller, as well as food writers such as Jane and Michael Stern.  At the Good News Café, Ms. Peck is "committed "to act locally and think globally" in supporting substantial agriculture without using bio-engineered foods."

Since joining A Voce in the fall of 2008, Executive Chef Missy Robbins has received critical acclaim for creating classic Italian specialties with a contemporary twist, highlighting flavorful ingredients and referencing traditions from diverse regions throughout Italy. She was named one of Food & Wine Magazine's Best New Chefs of 2010—the only woman on the list.

Cynthia R. Bigelow is the president of Bigelow Tea Co., founded by her grandmother in 1945.  After earning her MBA from Northwestern University's Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Bigelow began to work fulltime at Bigelow.  During her tenure, Bigelow has worked to gain celebrity endorsers including former Yankee manager Joe Torre and Hall of Fame hockey player Wayne Gretzky.  Bigelow also founded the Annual Bigelow Tea Community Challenge in 1988, a 5K Road Race, Walk, and Kids' Fun Run that has raised over $600,000, with 100% of funds donated to local charities.

Bonnie Leblang is a food writer, internationally syndicated columnist, blogger, author, consultant, and culinary talent agent, among other things.  Currently,  Leblang is a researcher and writer for Parade magazine and a columnist for Better Homes & Gardens.  Her work has appeared in other publications as well, including Connecticut, Family Circle, TV Guide, Woman's Day, and The New York Times.  She has also co-authored several cookbooks and is the agent/manager for the Food Network's Robin Miller of Quick Fix Meals.  Leblang will act as the moderator for the panel.

The event includes a light dinner at 5:30 p.m., Kosher laws observed. Presentation begins at 6:15 p.m. Cost for the evening is $36. The event is open to the entire community. To register, contact Enid Groves at egroves@jewishnewhaven.org or 203-387-2424, extension 267.

Women's Philanthropy offers educational, fundraising, and community service projects for women, and aims to help women develop their leadership abilities to carry into their professional lives. The Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven strives to be the central organization and resource for communal planning, outreach and Jewish education in our region. The Federation raises funds to support beneficiary agencies, synagogues and other local and national organizations in Greater New Haven, Israel and worldwide.  More: www.jewishnewhaven.org.

Editor's note: All information and photos in this post were contributed. It is largely unedited here. Photos show: Carole Peck at top;  Bonnie Leblang, top middle;  Cynthia Bigelow, lower middle; and Missy Robbins, lower.