Iconic culinarian, author, and entrepreneur Susan Feniger may be best known for her Modern Mexican concept, Border Grill restaurants, trucks, and catering. The James Beard Award-winning chef also co-owns SOCALO, a California canteen and Mexican pub in Santa Monica; fast casual eateries BBQ Mexicana and Pacha Mamas in Las Vegas; and Alice B., a new restaurant at Living Out in Palm Springs, with her business partner Mary Sue Milliken.

In 2018, Feniger and Milliken were named the recipients of the fourth annual Julia Child Award from The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts, marking the first women to be honored. The distinction complements additional accolades, including the Elizabeth Burns Lifetime Achievement Award from the California Restaurant Association and the Gold Award from the Los Angeles Times for culinary excellence and innovation in Southern California.

Susan has co-authored six cookbooks, starred on The Food Network’s popular “Too Hot Tamales” and competed on Bravo’s “Top Chef Masters.” She is a founding member of the Scleroderma Research Foundation Board of Directors, co-chairs the board of the Los Angeles LGBT Center, sits on the L.A. Tourism & Convention Board, and works closely with the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Blue Ribbon Task Force to promote sustainable seafood.

PARTICIPATING EVENTS:

Opening Night Reception

Jeremiah Tower & Friends Lunch