WASHINGTON, June 12, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — D.C.’s renowned Union Market was the setting for the annual Sunday Supper on June 4, 2017. Hosted by EDENS in support of the James Beard Foundation (JBF), the sold-out evening benefited the Foundation’s new Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (WEL) Program. Funds raised for this initiative provide critical support to cultivate the next generation of culinary business leaders through a unique intensive program at Babson College, the nation’s leading entrepreneurial college. “We are embarking on an exciting new chapter with this program,” explains EDENS CEO Jodie W. McLean and WEL program Advisory Council member, “one that is set on advancing the role of women in business and culinary leadership by providing them with the tools and training to grow and thrive.” The JBF will soon announce the women chefs selected to attend the inaugural class of the WEL program this September. This year’s feast also celebrated the flavors and ingredients of Latin America crafted by some of the nation’s most talented chefs and culinary leaders. Inspired by the upcoming Latin marketplace concept from award-winning chef Jose Garces set to open in the Union Market district, Sunday Supper featured an array of traditional Latin dishes, South American wines and spirits, artisanal chocolates and more. Emceed by renowned Colombian-born chef, author and Food Network host Ingrid Hoffman, Sunday Supper welcomed distinguished guests from the Latin and diplomatic communities including Ambassador Gerónimo Gutiérrez of Mexico; Ambassador Emanuel Gonzalez-Revilla of the Republic of Panama; Mexican Cultural Institute Executive Director Alberto Fierro; and representatives from the Embassies of Colombia, Dominican Republic and Ecuador. Featured chefs included:Victor Albisu, Del Campo (Washington, D.C.)Camila Arango, Bluebird Bakery (Washington, D.C.)Amy Brandwein, Centrolina (Washington, D.C.)Anna Bran-Leis, Taqueria Del Barrio, DC Empanada (Washington, D.C.)Giana Cavaliere, Volt (Washington, D.C.)Traci Des Jardins, Jardinière, Arguello, Mijita, The Commissary (San Francisco)Violeta Edelman & Robb Duncan, Dolcezza (Washington, D.C.)Kelly Fields, Willa Jean (New Orleans)Jose Garces, Amada, Distrito, Village Whiskey, Tinto, Buena Onda, Volver, Rural Society (Philadelphia, New York, Washington, DC, New Jersey) Mario Monte, Colada Shop (Washington, D.C.)Douglas Rodriguez, Alma de Cuba, Mojitobar Sawgrass (Philadelphia, Miami, Fort Lauderdale)Omar Rodriguez, Oyamel (Washington, D.C.)Carolina Santos-Neves, Comódo, Comparti Catering (New York) Cocktails and coffee were crafted by: Gina Chersevani, Buffalo & Bergen, (Washington, D.C.)Cordial (Washington, D.C.)Juan Coronado, Colada Shop (Washington, D.C.) Grand Cata, Latin Wine Shop (Washington, D.C.)Gordy’s Pickle Jar (Washington, D.C.)Blue Bottle Coffee (Oakland, CA, Washington, D.C.) The rich and diverse culinary offerings of Sunday Supper were made possible through the generous support of renowned organizations and artisans, including Acqua Panna and San Pellegrino, Baldor, Constellation Brands and Corona, MundoVino, Total Wine & More, Capital Meat Company, the National Pork Board, Sea to Table, Open Blue Cobia, Samuels & Son Seafood, Wagshal’s, ENZO Olive Oil Company, Lyon Bakery, Pacari chocolate, Macchu Pisco, ProMexico, Wahaka Mezcal, Gran Centenario Tequila, Mulix, Oaxakisima, Seasons of the Heart and Vanuato Kakaw chocolates, Bazaar Spices, Valrhona chocolate and BrainFood. As a major funding event for the WEL program, Sunday Supper was proud to welcome James Beard Foundation President Susan Ungaro and Board Chair Emily Luchetti, Babson College’s Victoria Sassine, as well as members of the WEL program Advisory Council, including Josh Kulp, Melissa Musiker, Juliana Stone and Ruth Gresser representing Women Chefs and Restaurateurs, a founding supporter of the WEL program. DC culinary luminaries such as Ris Lacoste, Joan Nathan and Nick Stefanelli, were also in attendance. “We are so grateful to Jodie McLean and the entire EDENS team for once again demonstrating their support for the James Beard Foundation and the needs of women chefs,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “Even though women make up over half of all culinary school attendees, they currently represent only 19% of all head chefs. The James Beard Foundation’s Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership program aims to help women take their rightful place leading kitchens and restaurants nationwide.” Event photography is available upon request.Check out Sunday Supper on Twitter and Instagram at @SundaySupperDC and #SundaySupperDC. Sunday Supper was made possible through the generous support of Bregman, Berbert, Schwartz & Gilday (BBS&G), BrightView, CBRE, Gables Residential, HFF, LF Jennings, New Columbia Solar, PNC, Securitas, and TEEL Construction, as well as Alvarez & Marsal, Bohler, the Carl M. Freeman Foundation, CentiMark, Eastdil Secured, Goulston & Storrs, Great Gulf, J.P. Morgan, MV+A Architects, Potomac Construction Services, rand* construction, UDR, and more. ABOUT UNION MARKET The Union Market District is a 45-acre district in NE DC and one of the city’s most vibrant, diverse and thriving neighborhoods—a living laboratory for a sustainable urban community and place for creative minds and businesses to connect, thrive, launch and make DC their own. Since opening in September 2012, The Market at Union Market, the acclaimed food market with over 40 local scalable businesses, averages 15,000 visitors per weekend and has hosted over 400 community and private events. For more information about Union Market, please visit www.unionmarketdc.com. ABOUT EDENS EDENS develops, owns and operates community shopping centers in primary markets across the country. The company has built an institutional-quality portfolio of more than 120 retail centers. EDENS has regional headquarters in Boston, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Miami, Houston and Columbia, S.C. For additional information about the company and its retail real estate portfolio, visit www.edens.com. ABOUT THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION (JBF) Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation celebrates, nurtures, and honors chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone. A cookbook author and teacher with an encyclopedic knowledge about food, the late James Beard was a champion of American cuisine. He helped educate and mentor generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts, instilling in them the value of wholesome, healthful, and delicious food. Today JBF continues in the same spirit by administering a number of diverse programs that include educational initiatives, food industry awards, scholarships for culinary students, publications, chef advocacy training, and thought-leader convening. The Foundation also maintains the historic James Beard House in New York City’s Greenwich Village as a “performance space” for visiting chefs. For more information, please visit jamesbeard.org. SOURCE EDENS