Spring Luncheon
April 24, 2018
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Donald Danforth Plant Science Center
975 North Warson Road
A conversation with Ben Poremba and his Mom, Rachel Poremba
Ben Poremba is the Chef/Owner of Bengelina Hospitality Group, the St. Louis-based, award-winning operator of Nixta and Bar Limón, Elaia, Olio, Parigi, and La Patisserie Chouquette. Poremba is a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist in the category of Best Chef-Midwest, and he continues taking the St. Louis dining scene by storm.
An Israeli native, Poremba learned the art of cooking (and eating) from his mother, Rachel, who had a 40-year career as a chef and culinary educator herself. Poremba moved to St. Louis to earn a BA in philosophy from the University of Missouri. Poremba is moved by how food plays a central role in celebrations, rituals, holidays, and virtually every ceremony humans are engaged in. “I aim to create food that takes you somewhere,” says Poremba. “Either somewhere familiar that invokes memories, or to a place you’ve never been before. Diners don’t need to go to the theater for a full night out; I want my restaurants to be the show itself for guests.”
Co-Chairs: Dianna Fine, Emily Morgan and Dana Windsor
Committee: Melissa Alper, Darien Arnstein, Alissa Arst, Melissa Baris, Dee Berman, Barbara Bindler, Melissa Coleman, Carly Cooper, Emily Corson, Jenny Deutsch, Lisa Deutsch, Roberta Deutsch, Gail Eisenkramer, Debi Feit, Marcia Feit, Sharee Feldman, Amy Fenster Brown, Jayme Fingerman, Amy Fischer, Hillary Friedman, Julie Gibbs, Debbie Gilula, Sherri Goldman, Lisa Gubernik, Jill Gubin, Marlene Hammerman, Hillary Hinz, Jenny Hoffman Mentle, Susie Horowitz, Laura Klearman Silver, Jackie Kleban, Susie Knopf, Joyce Kolker, Harriett Kopolow, Louise Levine, Andrea Newstead, Sherri Newstead, Joyce Podolsky, Marilyn Ratkin, Marissa Rosen, Jane Rubin, Carolyn Satz, Carolyn Schechter, Sheri Seigel, Barbara Shuman, Bonnie Solomon, Lynn Spewak, Amy Stone, Georgee Waldman, Susan Witte, Fran Zamler
- $1,000 Foodie
- Four (4) VIP Tickets (VIP Reception + luncheon), Recognition in NCJW Bulletin, Social media post and your logo on the event poster
- $500 Generation to Generation
- Two (2) VIP Tickets (VIP Reception + luncheon), Recognition in NCJW Bulletin and your name(s) on the event poster
- $125 VIP Attendee
- One (1) VIP Ticket (VIP Reception + luncheon)
- $100 New Member
- One (1) Ticket (luncheon only) + NCJW Membership
- $60 Attendee
- One (1) Ticket (luncheon only)
Thank you to our sponsors:
- Brown Smith Wallace
- Center for Mind, Body and Spirit
- The Delmar Gardens Family
- Enterprise Bank and Trust
- Susie Knopf and Jen Bernstein
- Marlene Hammerman, Amy Hammerman and Abby Owen
- Jenny Hoffman Counseling Services
- Jewish Federation of St. Louis
- Esther Langsham and Barbara Langsham Shuman
- Ruth Lederman in honor of Susan Witte’s Presidency
- Ron Rubin Winery and The Republic of Tea
- RubinBrown
- Debra K. Schuster and Associates
- Dr. Robert Shapiro
- Smith Moore
- Karen Suroff and Jill Settler
- Susan Witte and Sherri Goldman