ANNOUNCING THE WCN

WOMAN OF THE YEAR FOR 2011

It is with great pride and pleasure that we congratulate

Andrea Damon Gibson as the WCN Woman of the Year for 2011. Andrea Damon Gibson started Fred's Bread (www.fredsbread.ca) in 1994 with some flour and a dream. Fast forward a few years and Fred’s Bread is the maker of Canada’s finest artisanal breads, and celebrating an incredible 15 years in business. In honour of her accomplishments, Andrea Damon Gibson is this year’s ‘WCN Woman of the Year. Join us for our Annual Potluck in May to celebrate.

(please see Next Event or Event Calendar for more details)

Nominations for candidates for the WCN 2011 Woman of the Year were accepted online until October 1st.

New this year, nominations were considered by a "Woman of the Year Committee" and the selection was made by said committee. 

In order to nominate a candidate, be nominated as a candidate and/or vote for a candidate you must be a renewed WCN member.

In an effort to bring greater transparency and visibility to the award, the WCN board and executive have drawn up a list of criteria (below) that reflect the organization's values and qualifications for potential recipients. The Women's Culinary Network's Woman of the Year Award was established in 1999. Its purpose is to recognize and honour those members who provide outstanding leadership in developing Canada's culinary potential, by encouraging and supporting others to do their best. Nominations are put forth and voted upon by the membership. A celebration is held in honour of the WCN Woman of the Year.

Criteria for Nomination

• The candidate must be a registered member of the WCN in good standing in the year for which she is nominated, as well as for a minimum of the preceding two consecutive years (minimum three years in total).Members currently holding elected board positions are not eligable.
• The candidate will have demonstrated a significant level of involvement in the organization's activities, having attended a minimum of one meeting per year
• The candidate will have demonstrated professional growth and accomplishment in her chosen specialty within the culinary field, having had notable impact on her profession
• The candidate is a capable leader and role model for others in the culinary world
• The candidate will have demonstrated a commitment to the community by sharing her time and talent in ways that benefit the community or individuals within it

Past WCN Woman of the Year Recipients

2010

Elizabeth Baird

2009
Lianne Hubbard

2008
Naomi Duguid

2006
Arvinda Chauhan

2005
Esther Benaim

2004
Dorothy Duncan

2003
Mary Lou Morgan

2002
Marilyn Bentz Crowley

2001
Antoinette Passalacqua

2000
Alison Fryer

1999
Jo Marie Powers