In the epicenter of fine dining, five-star restaurants, and celebrity chefs, the movement to reshape the culinary landscape and redefine a woman’s role “in the kitchen” has begun.

A newly launched campaign in Las Vegas is looking to change the status quo for women in the culinary field.

The 13-year-old Strip-powered food fest known as Vegas Uncork’d will not be returning this year, but don’t be worried about big spring plans for culinary events. UNLVino, which celebrated its 45th year of raising money for scholarships for students in the UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality in 2019, has transformed into the Evolution Las Vegas Food & Wine Experience, set for April 18 at the new Caesars Forum Convention Center.

If there’s strength in numbers, the Women’s Hospitality Initiative is getting off to a strong start. More than 50 influential and successful women in the local food and beverage community have signed on to participate in the organization’s Feb. 18 launch event at UNLV.

The Women’s Hospitality Initiative, the new Las Vegas-based organization that plans to help women develop into leaders in the restaurant and food-service business, now features more than 50 female chefs, mixologists, sommeliers, and restaurateurs for the February 18 culinary event at the Harrah College of Hospitality at UNLV’s Hospitality Hall.

Experts say the future growth of the meetings industry may depend on new room inventory. More than 6,000 rooms are expected to be added in Las Vegas over the next two years.

IEHA, a Division of ISSA, and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) William F. Harrah College of Hospitality (HCOH) have agreed to partner on research to assist hotel housekeepers. The organizations will work together to further shared goals of research-driven education for directors of housekeeping in hotels, casinos, cruise ships, and similar venues worldwide.

The healthcare industry can take cues from the hospitality industry in its efforts to boost patient satisfaction, said Stowe Shoemaker, PhD, dean of the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.