‘Damas’ celebrates National Women’s Month at Goodwood
Three of the most talented women in our region’s hospitality world are joining forces for a series of collaborative culinary pop-up events to coincide with National Women’s Month, which begins today, March 1.
Sommelier Amanda Morrison, with chefs Sylvia Gould and Katie Spetman, will be presenting dining and spirited experiences in the cozy Camelia Cottage or the “Rough House Cottage” on the grounds of Goodwood Museum & Gardens from March 21 through April 16.
The project, which they are calling “Damas (ladies in Spanish)” features four-course dinners, deluxe chef’s table experiences, a retail shop with gourmet treats and small production wines, and food and wine classes.
“I have been friends with Sylvia and Katie for years and am constantly inspired by both of their talents,” Morrison said. “When they both became available at the beginning of the year, I couldn’t help but dream about the three of us coming together to create something special.”
Each of the three women bring their own strong skill set to the project.
Sylvia Gould will be preparing some of her specialties at the Damas pop-up coming up at Goodwood Museum & Gardens. Photo / Sylvia Gould. Top photo is of Katie Spetman, from left, Amanda Morrison and Sylvia Gould. Photo via Amanda Morrison
Many of you know Sylvia Gould as the former pastry chef at Kool Beanz Cafe. A James Beard semifinalist for best pastry chef in the country, Gould is Tallahassee’s first and only recipient of a nomination for the Oscar of the food world. She left Kool Beanz in January to start a new chapter in her life. On Feb. 24, she was the cook/host of an evening of sweet and savory desserts as part of Tallahassee State College’s yearly Cleaver & Cork fundraiser and looks forward to more collaborations in the community.
“When the opportunity to work alongside incredibly talented, strong women arose, I couldn’t wait to jump in,” Gould said. “I’m excited to be part of this creative collaboration and even more thrilled about the fun and impact we’ll bring to the community. Together, we’re showing what it means for women to support women.”
Chef Katie Spetman has worked as executive chef at the Florida Governor’s Mansion as well as an executive restaurant chef. Photo / Katie Spetman
Katie Spetman, who also curated an event during Cleaver & Cork, served as the executive chef at the Florida Governor’s Mansion for Governors Rick Scott and Ron DeSantis for a total of nine years, leaving the post in October. “It was a big catering world combined with family meals,” Spetman said. The chef trained at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Scottsdale and worked as an executive chef at the former Front Porch (now Table 23), among her other roles.
“For a long time, there were really no other women in hospitality in Tallahassee,” Spetman said. “So it was so important to build networks with each other for advice, support and encouragement.”
Photo / The Workmans
Sommelier Amanda Morrison, who was named “One of Tallahassee’s 25 Women You Need to Know” in 2021, is a dynamo who has worked in the hospitality industry, the world of nonprofits and then entrepreneurship. She transformed a Southside garage into the neighborhood gathering place, Happy Motoring, then converted a historic downtown building into Poco Vino, a wine shop and event space. After three years, she and her husband, Gus Corbella, decided to close the shop. “Day to day got too overwhelming,” Morrison said, so there was no time for their goals and innovations. Morrison said she is now focusing on the Poco Vino wine club and special events.
“We want to showcase as many women in business as we can,” said Morrison, who employed an all-female staff at Poco Vino. “We want to foster that collaboration, especially in hospitality, where women are generally in the minority in the back of the house.”
The hospitality world “is getting better but it’s far from where it can be or should be,” Spetman said.
But Gould, Spetman and Morrison will both be in the front of the house and behind the scenes in this new endeavor.
“One of the things we love about food is that it really brings people together,” Spetman said.
“There’s storytelling that goes along with it. Who made this, why this dish and why pick this wine with it.”
The trio will be present at dinners to talk about what’s on the food and drink menu with customers.
The historic Rough House Cottage at Goodwood Museum & Gardens will be the setting for the Damas pop-up. Photo / Goodwood
Here are the highlights:
● Intimate Friday night, four-course, prix-fixe dinners with two seatings, at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Dinners will include four courses (two courses each from Chefs Gould and Spetman) paired with wines selected by Morrison. Each seating will accommodate 24 diners. Classes will cost $150 per person (no extra fees).
● From noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, consumers can browse a retail display, with chef-made options, such as cookies and other treats and gift items made by women businesses, plus small-production wines from women winemakers or producers for sale. Picnic items and to-go
small plates and pours will be available. “Guests can have a picnic on the lawn,” and enjoy the grounds of Goodwood, Morrison said.
- A few smaller Chef’s Table private experiences.
● Two educational food and wine classes lead by Morrison:
- “The Pioneering Women of Champagne” Tasting Class on March 26; $90.
- “Fishwife Tinned Fish & Spanish Wine Tasting” on April 9; $75. Fishwife is a company founded by Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb. They feature items such as smoked salmon, sardines or smoked mackerel with chili flakes in colorful tins.
Dinners and classes go on sale March 8. You can visit the Damas Eventbrite page – https://DamasPop-Up.eventbrite.com or find out more on Instagram @DamasTLH
