Lunch and Learn: The World of CPG with Dame JeanMarie Brownson

Join Les Dames Chicago for a Lunch and Learn with JeanMarie Brownson to talk food products, from ideation to development to getting your passion products on the shelf!

Dame JeanMarie’s passion for cooking and travel shaped a four-decade career that launched in the test kitchens of Cuisine Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. While at the Tribune, she got to know Chef Rick Bayless. Their shared passion for Mexican cooking led to a 20-plus-year partnership, during which they co-authored 3 award-winning cookbooks and produced 11 seasons of the Public Television show “Mexico One Plate at a Time.”

Her career pivoted from writing and recipe development when they founded Frontera Foods. For more than 20 years she led product development, production, quality and consumer education. She also learned a lot about selling and marketing specialty foods. Along the way, they also opened Tortas Frontera and other fast-casual restaurants that relied on their products for consistency and large- scale food sales.

When Frontera Foods was sold to Conagra Brands, JeanMarie joined the company to oversee the next phase of the products. There, she launched Frontera products into the frozen food category.

Today, JeanMarie continues to inspire as the owner of JMB Culinary Consulting, guiding specialty food startups and writing a weekly recipe column for Tribune Content Agency column.

Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2026

Time:  11:30am

Location: ZOOM

Price: Free for members. $5 for non-members

A portion of proceeds will benefit the Chicago chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, an organization of women in food, beverage and hospitality working to support the next generation of women in the industry.