Home » Sara Bradley and Ouita Michel look to EmpowerHER in Paducah

Sara Bradley and Ouita Michel look to EmpowerHER in Paducah

Top chefs will headline city’s first women in business conference followed by multi-course culinary experience
Ouita Michel, left, and Sara Bradley

PADUCAH, Ky. — Bravo’s “Top Chef” season 16 runner-up and freight house chef and owner Sara Bradley is teaming up with award-winning chef, restaurateur and “Top Chef” celebrity judge Ouita Michel for the inaugural EmpowerHER conference. The event will be held 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 22.

Hosted by the Paducah Chamber of Commerce at the Julian Carroll Convention Center, the afternoon assembly will celebrate female entrepreneurship, empowerment and delicious food, with a multi-course ticketed dinner at freight house following the ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

As the keynote speaker for the event, Michel will discuss the many aspects of entrepreneurial mentorship, including building strong female relationships and how success can be developed with the support and cooperative collaboration of friends and associates.

Bradley will also take part in a variety of discussions, including the importance of supporting female entrepreneurs. Her restaurant, freight house, will offer a private multi-course meal featuring creations from both Bradley and Michel following the conference at 6:30 p.m.

“It’s such an honor to spend the day with Ouita and cook alongside her in my kitchen,” said Bradley. “An event like this is so crucial as more women are finding their voices, not just in our industry, but in other careers as well. We have to support one another and it’s nice to do that over good food and some bourbon.”

The supper, sponsored by Regions Bank and Strawberry Hills Pharmacy, includes a welcome cocktail, specialty courses, including Bradley’s winning “Top Chef” challenge dish judged by Michel, and a bourbon tasting from Woodford Reserve. Guests will also enjoy dessert made with Capriole Goat Cheese and fresh, local ingredients.

Tickets for the dinner are $125 each, with tax and gratuity included. Conference tickets and tables must be purchased separately. Dinner seating is limited and can be reserved at paducahchamber.org.