Forage owners and chefs Michelle Thiede and Kristen Dexter.

Locavore Mobile Kitchen chef Amy Huo will host a fundraising event Friday, March 1 at Forage to benefit a scholarship for women pursuing careers in culinary management through CVTC. Huo has partnered with the CVTC Foundation to create the scholarship as a way to support women who are entering into the male-dominated field. The event will feature a menu designed by guest chefs from various local restaurants. Attendees can purchase items á la carte, and all proceeds will benefit the scholarship. A few beers, wines, and specialty cocktails will be available for purchase as well. Huo cites a four-year-old study by Bloomberg that found that less than 7 percent of U.S. restaurants are run by women. The first Women in Culinary scholarship will be awarded in the spring of 2020, after a full year of fundraising in 2019. Huo wants to eventually raise $10,000 to start an endowment for the program. Huo will also offer networking assistance and mentorship to the scholarship recipient, who will be selected by CVTC. “The whole point of this is that women do not feel supported in this industry because they don’t see themselves represented in leadership,” Huo said. “Establishing this scholarship from the very beginning of the program helps women who are enrolled know that there are female leaders in culinary.”

More information about the event can be found on Locavore’s Facebook page and forageeauclaire.com