State of the Restaurant Industry, Part 3
The Bigger Picture:
Structural Forces Reshaping Hospitality
Tuesday, July 28, 12-1 p.m. EDT, via Zoom
In Part 3 of our State of the Restaurant Industry series, The Bigger Picture: Structural Forces Reshaping Hospitality, four influential voices step back from day-to-day operations to examine the deeper forces transforming the field. Dame Janet Chrzan (moderator), Dame Joanna James, Dame Katherine Miller, and Dame Jill Weber will explore how culture, gender, policy, media, and labor dynamics are redefining what it means to work—and lead—in restaurants today. Through research, storytelling, and advocacy, they offer fresh frameworks and actionable insights, equipping Dames with a broader lens to navigate change, influence systems, and shape a more equitable and sustainable future for hospitality.
Janet Chrzan holds a Ph.D. in Physical/Nutritional Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research explores the connections between food, health, inequality, and culture, including topics such as pregnancy nutrition, organic food adoption, alcohol consumption, and culinary tourism. She teaches courses on food insecurity, nutrition, and public health, and has led food, wine, and culture tours to the Loire Valley and Tuscany. Chrzan is the author and co-editor of several influential books on food and nutrition anthropology. A longtime member of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Philadelphia Chapter, she also founded the Oakmont Farmers Market and the Haverford Township Farmers Market Association in Pennsylvania. Contact: jchrzan@upenn.edu | Facebook: Janet Chrzan | Instagram: @janetchrzan
Joanna James is the director, writer, and producer of the award-winning documentary A Fine Line, which premiered nationally on PBS and has reached audiences through major airlines, cruise lines, and educational screenings from Harvard University to the Culinary Institute of America. Named Vanity Fair’s “Best Documentary by a First-Time Filmmaker,” the film has sparked global conversations about women in hospitality. Joanna is CEO of Joanna James Films and founder of MAPP, advancing workforce development and sustainability through storytelling. Her work has been featured by NPR, Food & Wine, and the James Beard Foundation. A sought-after keynote speaker, she addresses leadership, inclusion, and opportunity in hospitality and beyond. She is a member of the Les Dames d’Escoffier New York Chapter. www.MAPPimpact.org / www.AFineLinemovie.com | Instagram: @mappimpact
Katherine Miller is a nationally recognized food systems strategist, advocate, and communications leader working at the intersection of hospitality, policy, sustainability, and social impact. A James Beard Award nominee for At the Table: The Chef’s Guide to Advocacy, she helps chefs, restaurateurs, and food organizations translate their values into meaningful public engagement and action. Katherine has advised nonprofits, culinary leaders, and mission-driven businesses on advocacy, leadership, and strategic communications. She is an adjunct instructor at the Culinary Institute of America and a frequent speaker on the future of hospitality, equity, sustainability, and the evolving role of food professionals in society. She is a member of the Washington, D.C., Regional Chapter. Instagram: @table81
Jill Weber is the founder and owner of the Sojourn Philly restaurant group, which includes Philadelphia favorites Jet Wine Bar, Rex at the Royal, and Sor Ynez. A professional archaeologist with a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, she has spent more than three decades conducting research and excavations throughout the Middle East and Mediterranean. Weber is known for blending her passion for history, culture, food, and wine into immersive hospitality experiences that celebrate global traditions and storytelling. She is also a cofounder of Philadelphia’s Sisterly Love Collective and a past president of Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia Chapter. Instagram: @jetjill | @jetwinebar | @rexphl | @sorynez
