Founder and Executive Chef of Parties That Cook, Bibby Gignilliat, was honored by Women’s Initiative for Self Employment this past Friday at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco. What a wonderful event from such an amazing organization! The Women’s Initiative is the nation’s largest microenterprise training and financial services non-profit organization for women. They provide resources, technical assistance and training for low-income women to start and grow their own businesses

Bibby has been sharing her time with Women’s Initiative through walking tours of businesses and mentoring events for women. Parties That Cook was so excited to be a part of the celebration for Bibby as a 2009 SF Woman-Owned Business of the Year! The celebration honored Bibby and ten other women for achieving great business success and for their contribution to the community as positive role models. 

At the event, businesses sponsored by Women’s Initiative showcased their goods, such as Fashion Slave and Mandy Scott Flowers. And of course the food at any event cannot be without mention by Parties That Cook! We loved the alfajores, a classic cookie from Spain and Latin America made of shortbread and dulce de leche covered with powdered sugar. The company, Sabores del Sur, creates the delicious treats. Even sweeter was the fact that owner Guisell Osorio is a graduate of Women’s Initiative. It was an incredible evening for the Parties That Cook family!