FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2008
Contact: Joshua Hollis
(662) 329-7119

Labensky named Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year at MUW

COLUMBUS, Miss. – Chef Sarah Labensky, founding director of the Culinary Arts Institute at Mississippi University for Women, received the first ever Entrepreneurial Woman of the Year award, sponsored by MUW’s Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship, at a banquet Thursday evening.

Several criteria had to be met to be considered for the honor: the nominee must be the owner/manager of a public or private company; said company must be at least two years old; there must be sustained success in the company; and the nominee must contribute innovative ideas to the company.

Other criteria included: the nominee must exhibit success in finance, marketing, operations, and community involvement; she must exhibit leadership skills in the community as well as at work; she must have a strong dedication and commitment to employees and the community; and she must show qualities of a strong team player.

Lucy Betcher, director of the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship, said, “[Labensky] exemplifies all the positive qualities that fosters successful business ownership and her dedication to the populace at large strengthens the economic community to help make Columbus and surrounding areas a vibrant place to live and work.”

Labensky, who owns The Front Door/Back Door Restaurants and the Green Olive restaurant, taught cooking and management courses at MUW, and administered the school’s four-year baccalaureate degree program in Culinary Arts. Prior to joining the faculty at MUW, she served as a Professor of Culinary Arts at Scottsdale (Arizona) Community College.

Labensky co-authored the best-selling culinary textbook “On Cooking: A Textbook of Culinary Fundamentals.” She has co-authored several other culinary books as well, including “On Baking,” “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Cooking Techniques and Science,” and “Webster’s New World Dictionary of Culinary Arts,” among others. She is also a past president of the 4,000-member International Association of Culinary Professionals.

“There could be no more positive role model to young entrepreneurial women,” said Betcher.

Yolanda Cook, assistant director of the Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship, said they hope to continue giving out the award.

This Women’s Center for Entrepreneurship is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Adminstration (SBA). SBA’s funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public on a nondiscriminatory basis.

For more information, contact the Women’s Center by phone at 662-241-6277 or by e-mail at wceinfo@muw.edu.