Building Your Business: Insights from Industry Experts
How to Create Strong Media Relationships
Tuesday, September 9th, 2025, 12-1pm Eastern Time via Zoom
Panelists: Dame Sara Schiffer, founder of Proof PR and
Dame Patricia Cobe, Editor Restaurant Business
Host: Dame Kate Howell, LDEI 3rd VP and Communications Advisor
Elevate your business with expert insights
in media and PR strategies
Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI) invites you to a powerful online conversation with PR expert Sara Schiffer and seasoned food-industry journalist Dame Patricia Cobe. Together they’ll share insider strategies to help you elevate your food business or LDEI Chapter through smart, effective media outreach.
Sara will offer actionable tips for building relationships with media outlets and for crafting pitches that actually get noticed.
Patricia will share a journalist’s take on what makes a story worth covering, as well as what to avoid when reaching out.
You’ll also have the opportunity to join in the conversation during a live Q&A and walk away with real-world tools to start making headlines. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to level up your PR game and get the coverage you deserve!
Patricia Cobe plans and executes the menu sections of Restaurant Business and FoodService Director, covering food and beverage trends, Menu R&D, the profiles of chefs and restaurateurs, and Technomic research. She also contributes to the digital content of both RB and FSD and is editor of two weekly e-newsletters: Recipe Report and On the Menu. Pat’s weekly podcast, MenuFeed, covers a wide range of menu topics through interviews with chefs, restauranteurs and industry experts. Pat came to Winsight from Hearst, where she was an executive editor. She is the co-author of the Mompreneurs series of books as well as two cookbooks.
Kate Howell is 3rd VP of Les Dames d’Escoffier International and a UK-based communications advisor specializing in food, communities, and markets. She spent 12 years as Director of Communications at Borough Market, building its global brand and managing its response to challenges like the 2017 terrorist attack, Brexit, and COVID. Kate contributed to the market’s first food policy and 2030 strategy. She serves on the Mayor of London’s Markets’ Board and Better Bankside, advocating for equality in the industry. Kate is cochair of Better Bankside’s Women’s Network.
Sara Schiffer, founder of the Denver-based PR firm Proof PR in 2012, she brings 20+ years of experience to the table. Sara’s helped brands like Velvet Taco, Mici Italian, and Tocabe gain media recognition. She also works with chefs like Troy Guard and Lon Symensma to build personal brands and open new restaurants. Previously, Sara was VP of Marketing at Blast Marketing & PR in Chicago, managing clients like Gibsons Restaurant Group and Whole Foods. She has expertise across multiple industries, including hospitality, health, wellness, and consumer lifestyle. A Denver Dame, Sara resides in Colorado with her husband, two kids, and their pups.
Donations by Dames
Registrations for LDEI's Live Online Program is complimentary, but donations are always welcome and appreciated. If you would like to make a tax deductible donation, please click the button below.
Logging in to Register
This program is open to both Dames and non-members!
Non-Members, simply click on the registration button below, complete the form, and pay the very affordable $10 fee.
How Dames access free registration for Live Online events: Click the registration link below and sign in as a member. Go to Events and click on Details and Registration for the event you want to attend. Follow the prompts to complete the registration.
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