State of the Restaurant Industry, Part 1:
On the Front Lines: Women Restaurant Owners Speak
Tuesday, May 19, 12-1 p.m. ET, via Zoom
In Part 1 of our State of the Restaurant Industry series, three accomplished Dames—Barbara Sibley (New York), Emily Shaya (New Orleans), and Micheline Mendelsohn (Washington, DC)—share candid, on-the-ground perspectives from today’s restaurant landscape. From shifting consumer habits and rising costs to staffing challenges and creative adaptation, these women owners are navigating it all in real time. Join us for a dynamic, solutions-oriented conversation that goes beyond headlines, offering practical insights, hard-earned lessons, and a clear-eyed view of what it takes to lead, sustain, and innovate in today’s evolving hospitality industry.
Micheline Mendelsohn brings powerhouse marketing and communications expertise shaped in Washington, DC politics and refined alongside top chefs. As Deputy CEO overseeing four fast-casual brands, she has led multi-unit growth, franchise expansion, and operational strategy across the U.S. and internationally. A journalist by training with a master’s in international relations, she helped launch Good Stuff Eatery, followed by We, The Pizza and Santa Rosa Taqueria—now 14 locations strong. From concept to opening day, Micheline drives brand vision, marketing, and franchisee success. She serves on the board of DC Central Kitchen and champions women restaurateurs through Les Dames d’Escoffier and Regarding Her. Insta: @michymendelsohn
Emily Shaya is Co‑Founder and Director of New Projects at Pomegranate Hospitality, overseeing development of acclaimed restaurants including Saba and Safta's Table in New Orleans as well as Safta and soon-to-open Ceci! Italian Lounge in Denver. She combines expertise in entrepreneurship, real estate, interior design, and finance to guide concepts from inception to opening. Under her leadership, Pomegranate Hospitality has earned MICHELIN recognition and national press, including accolades from Esquire and Food & Wine. A native of Calhoun, Georgia, Emily holds a BA and MBA from Tulane University. She lives in New Orleans with Alon, her partner in life and business, and their children Ruth and Ari. Insta: @nolabeanqueen
Barbara Sibley, born in Mexico City, is a chef, restaurateur, and culinary anthropologist dedicated to authentic Mexican cuisine. Founder of La Palapa Cocina Mexicana (2000), she preserves traditional and convent recipes while innovating beverage programs and product development with major brands. A leader in hospitality, she is Past President of Les Dames d'Escoffier and an advocate for equitable labor practices. Sibley is also co-founder of the San Miguel Poetry Week and a James Beard Foundation Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership member, mentoring the next generation of women in food. Insta: @barbaragsibley
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