Before women could lead restaurants, build brands, or take up space in boardrooms, they had to fight for something much simpler: a seat at the table.
In 1868, a group of women gathered at Delmonico's for what became known as the Ladies’ Luncheon—the first time women publicly dined together without male escorts. Organized by journalist Jane Cunningham Croly, the moment made international headlines and quietly helped reshape women’s place in public life.
In this special bonus episode, I sat down with Carin Sarafian to bring this often-overlooked story to life— from what dining culture looked like for women in the 1800s to how one lunch became an act of rebellion.
More than 150 years later, the story still resonates. Because restaurants have always been more than places to eat—they’re places where culture shifts, where community forms, and where people claim space, sometimes for the very first time.
You can also read the full story in FSR magazine!