2020 Current Members
Blanca A. Aldaco – Past President, LDEISA
Chef/ Caterer/Restaurateur – Aldaco’s Mexican Cuisine, blanca@aldacosrestaurants.com, www.aldacosrestaurants.com
Di-Anna R. Arias – Past President, LDEISA
Caterer, Director of Sales and Marketing – Don Strange of Texas Inc., di-anna@donstrange.com, www.donstrange.com
Leslie Komet Ausburn
Advertising/Events/Conference Planner/Public Relations – Komet Marketing Communications, leslie@kometcommunications.com, www.kometcommunications.com
Allison Balfour
Owner/Administrative Officer
Southerleigh Hospitality Group
allison@southerleigh.com
Jennifer Lynne Beckmann
Freelance Writer/Editor/Marketing Professional/Wine and Spirits/Sommelier – Kuhlman Cellars, jbeckmann@Kuhlmancellars.com
Nichole Bendele – President LDEISA
Wine and Spirits/Sommelier/Retail Sales/Public Relatons Coordinator – Becker Vineyards, www.beckervineyards.com, nicholebendele@yahoo.com
Rollie Ann Blackwell – Past Co-President LDEISA
Retired B & B Owner/Chef/Caterer/Book Author,
stonyridgeranch@aol.com
Naylene Dillingham
Restaurateur/Owner/Cook – Mac & Ernie’s Roadside Eatery,
naylene@macandernies.com
Mary Katherine Dunford
Farmer/Grower/Owner – Natures Herb Farm,
naturesherbfarm@att.net
Jessica Elizarraras
Chief Engagement Officer, Dorcol Distilling Company,
Nancy Fitch – 2nd Vice President, Programs
Chef/Pastry Chef/Restaurateur/Manager, Pearl Farmers’ Market, Atpearl.com,
Nfitch@pearlbrewery.com
Debbie Gonzalez
Director of Sales and Marketing – St. Anthony Hotel San Antonio, dgonzalez@thestanthonyhotel.com, Debbiegonzalez@gmail.com
Erica Balmer Hanchey
Food & Culinary Scientist/Product Developer/Research Chef, Product Development Manager, Certified Culinary Scientist – H-E-B,
Hanchey.erica@heb.com, ericahanchey@gmail.com
Karen Haram – Corresponding Secretary
San Antonio Express – News Food/Taste Editor – Retired,
kharam@sbcglobal.net
June Hayes
Food historian/Researcher/Book Author/Freelance Writer/Editor, Owner – The Estate Gallery at Los Patios, www.junehayes.com,
junewhayes@gmail.com
Lucille Hooker
Food Manufacturer/Retail Sales/Restaurateur – Jacala Mexican Restaurants,
lucillehooker@yahoo.com
Leslie Horne – Past Co-President, LDEISA
Owner/Manufacturer – Aurelia’s Chorizo, LLC, www.aureliaschorizo.com,
leslie@aureliaschorizo.com
Elizabeth Johnson
Chef/Health & Wellness Advocate/Restaurateur – Pharm Table, www.pharmtable.com,
Elizabeth@pharmtable.com
Christine McCrae Kelly
Patry Chef/Artisan Food BeverageProducer/Owner – Lily’s Cookies, www.lilyscookies.com,
christine@lilyscookies.com
Rosemary E. Kowalski LDEI Grande Dame, Past Co-President LDEISA
Caterer/Events/conference Planner/Chairman Emeritus-Owner – RK Group, www.TheRKGroup.com,
Rkowalski@therkgroup.com
Julie La Barba MD, FAAP
Pediatrician, special interest in Culinary Medicine-CHEF: Culinary Health Education for Families,
julie.labarba@christushealth.org
Marilyn Wahne Magaro – 1st Vice President — Membership
Rancher, Owner – Fratello’s Italian Mkt & Deli,
mmagaro@hotmail.com
Rashin Mazaheri – Treasurer
Chef/Licensed Attorney – Family Law and Business Litigation,
rashindd@yahoo.com
Denise Mazal, Archivist
Czech Chef Extraordinaire/Owner of Little Gretel Restaurant, Boerne, Texas,
drm@gvtc.com
Jennifer Michaelis
Product Development, Food Manufacturer for CH Guenther,
jmichaelis@chguenther.com
Pat Mozersky, Past President of LDEISA
Retired Writer for San AntonioExpress News,
pmozersky@gmail.com
Jennifer Rabb Fazz
Director of Catering/Wine Buyer
Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood
jennyrabb@gmail.com
Kathy Siegal
Exec. Director – Houston Street Charities/San Antonio Cocktail Conference
Leah Smith
Asst. general Manager Pearl bottling Dept., Owner/Chef Small Batch Cakes and Catering,
Wendy Stiles
Food Manufacturing, Director of Community Enrichment, Kiolbassa ProvisionCo.,
wmp@kiolbassa.com
Kathy Tarasovic
Professional Chef, Food Manufacturer, Co-Owner of Shrub Drinks – Artisinal Drinking Vinegars,
cathy@shrubdrinks.com
Diana Barrios Trevino, Scholarship Chair
Restaurateur and television personality, Owner, Los Barrios, La Hacienda de Los Barrios, Viola’s Ventanas, La Hacienda Scenic Loop,
dianabarriostrevino@gmail.com
Linda Triesch, Past Co-President LDEISA
Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator, Consultant,
trieschlinda@gmail.com
Donna Vaughan
Restaurateur, Retail, Catering & Corporate Historian, C. H. Guenther & Sons, Inc.,
dvaughan@chg.com
Jennifer Vitera
Vegan Chef, Owner/Manager Vitera Ranch and Farm,LLC Bremond and Wharton Texas & Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty,
viterajr@gmail.com
Ming Qian von Bargen
Crafting, Catering Cross-Cultural Foods, Owner- Ming’s Things, Ming’s Noodle Bar,
mingsthings@hotmail.com
Julie Miracle Vrana
Owner of Upper Crust Food Company, “Merging Food, Science, Art & Learning” TM, Owner – Southtown Pizzeria, Burger Culture,
julie@theuppercrustfood.com
Maureen Weissman
Restaurateur – IlSongno, The Luxury, Sip Coffee House, Moshe’s Golden Falafel,
mauweissman@gmail.com
Lisa Wong
Restaurateur & Owner- Rosario’s & Acenar, Go Rio – San Antonio River Cruises
