Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh Cort.
Hi Leigh, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story
As the food and hospitality industry in northeast Florida explodes with talent, creativity, and passion in careers that revolve around food, beverage, and special events, I launched the Women’s Food Alliance in September 2013. I’ve always been a woman with a vision.
My 35-year hospitality career and passion for hard-working hospitality women inspired me to create this high-energy group of women with a common interest in culinary & hospitality. My mission then and STILL focuses on networking, education, and collaboration for all women with an entrepreneurial spirit and strong belief in how we can help each other.
I’m not a newcomer to the Southeast US or to hospitality. My personal path propelled me through 35 years of climbing to the top in numerous arenas. I began as Party Director for New York City’s distinguished Trump Tower during the 1980s, I produced and promoted galas for the international ‘rich and famous’ and became The Party Doctor soon after, writing and appearing on Lifetime TV for Nabisco.
Then under the watchful eye of Vincent Sardi, I entertained the famous show-biz crowd in Manhattan at Sardi’s Restaurant. My next project as Director of Catering was at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Amelia Island, which filled the ensuing years with special events designed for international guests and celebrities.
But it wasn’t an easy journey; the hospitality industry was built and managed by men ~ while women usually were cast in the supporting roles. It was in the 1980s in New York City when the Roundtable for Women in Foodservice invited me to be a member during those fledgling years at the Trump Tower.
Without the genuine interest in my success by members like Faith Stewart Gordon (owner of the Russian Tea Room), Lydia Bastianich (owner of Felidia Restaurant), and the amazing entrepreneurs who ventured into manufacturing cakes, pates, confections, and gourmet specialty foods, my challenging days wouldn’t have been as productive or comfortable as they helped to make it.
Almost 30 years to the day, the Women’s Food Alliance began with a pre-launch invitation to eight women who I respected and enjoyed for their business diversity. Their conversation was LIVELY about the possibility of launching an organization that addressed their chosen industry. It was a unanimous ‘Yes, count me in’.
I told them that the concept of Women’s Food Alliance had been bubbling for many years, with a vision of hosting monthly events that would showcase the members in varied venues from restaurants, country clubs, wineries to museums, attractions, and hotels. “We never needed to venture into random locations because our membership’s exciting diversity of careers opened the doors to exploring somewhere new each month”.
My First Advisory Council in 2013 showed the diversity of hospitality careers and our photo was the ‘calling card’ to other women:
- Tammy Poudrier – Woody’s BBQ Corporate – Director of Marketing
- Rebekah Lowry – Casa Marina Hotel – Director of Catering/Weddings
- Jennifer Price-Easterling – Magazine Publisher – The Beaches and San Marco
- Belinda Hulin – Cookbook Author – Food Journalist
- Mariela Groshell – Owner – Ocean 60 Restaurant – Atlantic Beach
- Benedetta Dubetz – Owner – Amici’s Italian Restaurant – St. Augustine
- Sherry Stoppelbein – Owner – Hot Shot Bakery – St. Augustine AND Datil B Good Sauces, Jams & Jellies
As an event planner myself, it was easy to develop a one-year plan for creating tempting special events, always encouraging the current members to invite a guest in the industry too. And within the first year, the Women’s Food Alliance had 80 members!
Geographically spanning St. Augustine and Jacksonville to St. Simons Island, Georgia, members loved sharing their businesses while participating in dinners, food focus groups, educational seminars, chef’s demos, rib-eating competitions, hotel tours, spirits tastings, chocolate discussions even food judging workshops.
Today, our monthly events continue to be created around the amazing businesses that the Women’s Food Alliance represents and the diversity of everyone’s careers.
Currently, there are 20 varied categories of careers and businesses:
• Chefs
• Caterers
• Chocolatiers
• Aquaponic farmers
• Event planners
• Hoteliers
• Hospitality media
• Specialty food creators
• Restaurateurs
• Wine consultants & sommeliers
• Cooking schools etc. etc. etc.
Important note: Going back 22 years to 2000 and my post-Ritz Carlton career, I became a hospitality publicist, specializing in historic hotels and vintage bed & breakfast inns. Thus, I know how to inspire media with a sprinkling of razzle-dazzle when they are searching for imaginative story ideas about people, business, and trends.
For two decades, my PR clients have appeared in hundreds of print publications and on national TV ~ ‘The Price is Right’ and others.
During these exciting years, my passion for travel and food has taken me to back-barrier islands, celebrity chef’s tables, world-class resorts, Sports arenas, Bar-B-Q’s, and acclaimed historic inns. From St. Augustine to Eagle Island, from Sedona to Spring Lake, there has always been a touch of ‘show business’ associated with my stories and projects.
The Hospitality Industry has nurtured me, it’s educated me, it’s comforted and healed me, it’s encouraged me, It has challenged me and has brought me riches that nothing else could equal… friendships like those in the Women’s Food Alliance! [email protected]
904-806-3613, www.womensfoodalliance.com.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been a delicious journey and I’ve been the steward of my career. Always selecting the path that has been the most fulfilling and fun. I enjoy connecting, mentoring, and inspiring others.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
What sets me apart is that I am comfortable being the creator and leader of my Women’s Food Alliance – opening doors and peeking into the careers of other creative women – and sharing their stories. I recognize the hard work that goes into whatever they are doing ~ and it’s my pleasure to give them a standing ovation and introduction to other industry leaders and the media.
Nothing makes me prouder or happier than opening a newspaper or magazine and reading about the women who deserve to be excited about THEIR accomplishments. I love interviewing them writing their stories – and watching them soar!
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Growing up at the Jersey shore, my childhood was a happy one in a small family with only one brother and young parents who enjoyed traveling. My favorite memories were always in the car driving to vacation somewhere.
I could hide in the back seat of the car and read my books! And when we were home, I could hide in my music room, play the piano and sing to my heart’s content. Thus, by the time I was a teenager, I was a singer and had a musical career through my 20s and 30s.
So, I could say that music and storytelling were my happiest childhood memories that shaped who I am today!
Pricing:
- If someone wants to join the Women’s Food Alliance, the annual membership is currently $75.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.WomensFoodAlliance.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/leighcort
Image Credits
Leigh Cort
