Chicago

Chicago is the hub of our Let’s Talk Womxn national action movement. Launched in 2020 with 15 women restaurateurs by Rohini Dey, PhD, we are now 130 women restaurateurs and food/beverage makers in Chicago alone. Chicago is the first to launch most city and national initiatives and forums (More Than March, Let’s Talk Change, National Restaurant Association collaborations, Soapbox Womxn Hangout series, Supper Clubs), as well as foster partnerships with state restaurant associations, city marketing arms/CVBs, leading corporations, universities and women’s groups (World Business Chicago, Illinois Restaurant Association, Choose Chicago, The Chicago Network, IWF Chicago, HBS Women’s Association, Kendall, Sysco, United Airlines).

Rohini leads monthly LTW sessions across all cities and intentionally disseminates innovation with the active help of all our city CoHosts. This spirit of cross-pollination is vital. Our city CoHosts are invaluable to nourish and fortify our group by owning internal and external initiatives. Anchored on camaraderie and candor, LTW women owners share vendor referrals, resources, counsel each other, cross-promote each other, collaborate for events, and carry each other’s products. This is all year, real-life, concrete mentorship for both veterans and those new to our industry. Unlike episodic, vacuous, repetitive “leadership conferences” that abound for women. We warmly invite all women owners in food & drink to join us. Our credo is we are stronger together.

LTW Chicago has jointly published opinion pieces, hosted events with the governor of Illinois and the City of Chicago, Chicago Womxn Hangout series with leading corporations, and engineered forums for women leaders to soapbox on a range of topics from policy, our democracy, to happiness, power, and crossroads. LTW is gratified to have received much media coverage for its unique “collaboration by competitors” model and its initiatives that enrich Chicago. Together we magnify our voice, visibility, and economic power.

For the full map of all LTW Chicago restaurants & businesses click here.