Flour, Fire, and the Feminine:
The Enduring Power of the Hearth
MARCH 30, 2026, 12-1 p.m. ET
Via Zoom
Live Online events are complimentary for Dames and only $20 for nonmembers!
In celebration of International Women’s Month, join us for a special LDEI Live virtual program hosted by Les Dames d’Escoffier International. Bakers Dame Miranda Gore Browne and Dame Mary Mackay will explore the enduring connection between women, the hearth, and the timeless act of baking in conversation with moderator Dame Erin Byers Murray.
For generations, women have served as keepers of the hearth—caring not only for the fire but also for the emotional center of homes and communities. Baking has long been one of the most meaningful expressions of that care. The simple act of combining flour, water, and time becomes something deeper: a gesture of nourishment, comfort, creativity, and connection.
During this program, we will reflect on:
• The historic role of women as keepers of the hearth
• Baking as an act of care, creativity, and community building
• How food traditions connect us to heritage and memory
• The many ways women continue to nourish the world through food
This inspiring conversation will explore how baking reflects the ways women nurture culture, preserve traditions, and bring people together around the table. From family recipes passed down through generations to the joy of sharing something handmade, baking reminds us that tending the hearth is ultimately about tending the heart.
Whether you are a culinary professional, a passionate home baker, or simply someone who loves gathering people around the table, this conversation invites us to celebrate the women who nurture, create, and inspire through food every day.
Join us as we honor the warmth, creativity, and quiet power of women who continue to keep the hearth—and the heart—alive.
Miranda Gore Browne was a much-loved finalist on the first series of The Great British Bake Off, where she was widely praised for her baking; judge Mary Berry famously said Miranda “reminded her of herself when she was young.” She is the author of two books, Biscuit and Bake Me a Cake as Fast as You Can and contributes regularly to magazines as a food columnist. Passionate about the deeper meaning of baking, Miranda explores how it connects family, history, and community, and how the simple act of baking can spark conversation, comfort, and healing. As she often says, “It’s more than cake—it’s a philosophy for life.” (Instagram: @mirandagorebrowne)
Mary Mackay has spent more than 40 years shaping Vancouver’s bread culture and is widely recognized as a pioneer of artisan baking in the city. As Co-Owner and Vice President of Innovation and Production at Terra Breads, she has guided the bakery’s craft and production since its founding in 1993. Trained at Dubrulle French Culinary School, Mary began as a chef, pastry chef, and baker before dedicating her career to the transformative power of flour, fire, and time. Through her work, Mary continues to champion sustainability, share knowledge, and inspire a deeper appreciation for the craft and community. (https://terrabreads.com/; Instagram: @marymackayjandera, Instagram: @terrabreads, Facebook: @Terra Breads)
Erin Byers Murray is a food writer, journalist, and editor whose work explores the intersection of food, culture, and community. The editor in chief of The Local Palate, she has written widely about the people and traditions that shape how we cook and eat today. Murray is the author of several cookbooks and books including Shucked, a narrative history of oysters and the communities built around them. As a member of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Nashville Chapter, she brings a thoughtful storytelling perspective to conversations about food, hospitality, and the enduring role of culinary traditions in our lives. (https://www.erinbyersmurray.com/; @erinbmurray)
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