It's no secret that the male-female ratio within the food industry is lopsided toward the XY chromosome. Not so much a secret as it is a shame, actually. Which is why SFChef's upcoming dinner featuring scores of exceptional female chefs in the Bay Area is so important. Now, it gives us pause that there's even a dinner dedicated to lady chefs, if you will, but that is where we're at. For that reason alone you should attend Masters of their Craft: Celebrating the Great Female Chefs and Sommeliers of San Francisco, if you can swing it.

Another good reason: 40% of each ticket benefits the Chronicle's Season of Sharing fund.

The dinner takes place on Sunday, July 28 at Prospect and hosted, if you will, by owner/chef Nancy Oakes, chef Pamela Mazzola, and general manager Kathy King. Yes, the tickets are pricey (at $450), but your money will go to a much-needed cause. Further, you get the enjoy the fine fare of the following females:

Participating Chefs

Host Chef Nancy Oakes, Boulevard and Prospect
Host Chef Pam Mazzola, Prospect
April Bloomfield, Tosca
Dominique Crenn, Atelier Crenn
Loretta Keller, Coco500 and Seaglass
Gayle Pirie, Foreign Cinema
Melissa Perello, Frances
Jennifer Puccio, Marlowe and Park Tavern
Sarah Rich, Rich Table
Dana Younkin, Boulevard

Participating Pastry Chefs

Emily Luchetti, Farallon and Waterbar
Maya Erickson, AQ
Melissa Chou, Aziza
Lori Baker, Baker & Banker
Nicole Krasinski, State Bird Provisions
Belinda Leong, B. Patisserie
Lisa Lu, Boulevard

Participating Sommeliers

Lead Sommelier Shelley Lindgren, A16 and SPQR
Dominique Henderson Clay and Jennifer Warren, A16
Nissa Suteja, Acquerello
Petra Polakovicova, Epic Roasthouse
Stevie Stacionis, Guild of Sommeliers and 'A Drink with Friends'
Emily Horenian, Spruce
Haley Guild Moore, Stock & Bones
Jimenez Rivera, SPQR
Nicole Kosta, The Mandarin Oriental

Buy your ticket(s) here.