Ashlee Aldridge is an aspiring foodie, and has been lucky enough to live in three, great food-centric cities thus far. Growing up in Norfolk, VA, she was raised on all things seafood and it wasn’t until she moved to Charlottesville, VA, for college that her taste buds quickly evolved to foods other than fish in the sea. She now resides in Washington, DC, and enjoys supporting the local restaurants and farmers markets that make this city great. An Epidemiologist by day, in her free time Ashlee enjoys playing hostess with the mostess for her husband, friends and family and attempting to check off her never-ending restaurant list she keeps on her iPhone.
Erin FitzGerald is an Alexandria, VA native who aspires to be a Renaissance woman. Her love of good food has led to some of her most interesting experiences. Food brings people together, and she loves the way cooking for someone and sharing a meal creates a connection. When shared with others, cooking is an act of service and creative expression. Food is her favorite way to connect with friends, and cooking and eating with people from different places has been one of the best parts of her many travels. Erin is transitioning out of a career in the federal government and is using this time to explore her varied interests. In addition to advancing her food knowledge, you’ll find her volunteering, rescuing animals, studying dog training, and experimenting with growing her own food.
Hilary Ingraham is a passionate home cook and gardener who loves growing and experimenting with unusual vegetables from her garden. An outdoors person at heart, she can often be found wandering farms and farmers’ markets in search of fresh, seasonal ingredients and native plants. She enjoys entertaining and hosting dinner parties filled with laughter and music. As she transitions out of a career in federal service, Hilary is excited to deepen her love for sustainable cooking and gardening.
Jen Sommers splits her time between D.C. and Rochester, New York, and describes cooking as a lifelong passion, likely inherited from her Mom’s (Italian) side of the family. A lawyer who has spent the lion’s share of her career as a prosecutor, Jen now works at a policing think tank and enjoys bringing goodies into work for her colleagues – an essential feature of any job she has ever held. Jen describes the feeling of cooking while watching Buffalo Bills games in the fall as nirvana with a side order of glee!
Katherine Perkins grew up in a family that appreciated delicious food and the art of good cooking. She is a native of Washington, D.C. but spent some of her formative years overseas. She is more of a cook than a baker, but loves to try out new recipes, and can even be convinced of tackling a cake recipe now and then. Katherine is a big supporter of the farmers markets in the DMV (Dupont Circle, Bethesda, and New Morning Farm) and loves exploring local grocery stores when traveling abroad.
Kerry Kinirons describes herself as a runner, amateur baker, shoe lover, and wine enthusiast (did someone say champagne?). By day, she directs a congressional subcommittee. In her spare time, you can find her testing new cake recipes on her favorite Guinea pigs – her friends and colleagues.
Kimberly Hill is a dog mom, runner, xenophile, and all-round bon vivant who loves bringing people around the table to experience new flavors and ingredients. Her culinary sensibilities have been shaped by many years living abroad, travel to numerous regions and an adventurous spirit. There are few more thrilling endeavors than heading to the local market to discover the freshest champignons, figues
Lindsey Bankert is an Account Executive with over a decade of experience in the experiential graphics industry, but her heart has always been in the kitchen. Growing up in Ocean City, Maryland, she spent her childhood tending her father’s garden, learning early on the value of seasonal, local ingredients. Her hospitality roots run deep – she’s been working in restaurants since age 14, where she developed an appreciation for bringing people together through food. A Clemson University graduate with a degree in Graphic Communications and Business Management, Lindsey recently joined a DC community garden and can often be found browsing local farmers markets in search of the freshest seasonal produce. When she’s not in the kitchen, you’ll find her back at the beach where she grew up, out on the golf course, or exploring DC’s ever-growing restaurant scene.