Orlando chef and restaurateur Kathleen Blake was presented the 2018 Beacon Award at the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Show Friday. The Beacon Award is presented by the Foodservice Council for Women and The Food Shows to recognize a woman in the industry for her leadership and inspiration.

Blake, owner of the Rusty Spoon in downtown Orlando, has been active in Women Chefs & Restaurateurs, an organization dedicated to promoting and advancing female culinary professionals. Last year, she launched Pioneers & Legends, a local fundraiser supporting the James Beard Foundation’s work in advancing women in culinary. She has been nominated for a Beard award as Best Chef-South Region multiple times.