The DC Food & Beverage Collective
meet the board
Meet the team behind the DCFBC. As a local nonprofit, the DCFBC is devoted to fostering education and enrichment in the Washington, DC food and beverage scene through supporting culinary education, partnering with restaurants and industry professionals, and aiding local charity organizations.
Allison Drewno, PsyD | Co-Chair
Allison Drewno is a founding member of the DC Food & Beverage Collective who serves as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors. A graduate of the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Allison worked in the hospitality industry before becoming a clinical and forensic psychologist. She is the owner of Washington Psychotherapy & Assessment, PLLC, where she works in private practice. When she is not working, Allison enjoys being active in the restaurant community of metropolitan Washington through DCFBC’s charitable works as well as involvement with her husband Scott Drewno of ChiKo and Anju.
Lesley Uhr | Co-Chair
Lesley Uhr has been a member of the D.C. Food & Beverage Collective since its inception in 2016 and became a board member in November of that same year. She moved to Washington D.C. to attend The George Washington University Law School for a Masters in Law and has been an attorney with the Federal government since finishing her course work in 2008. Lesley first became attracted to the DC restaurant/bar scene through her husband Steve Uhr, who has been in the hospitality industry for over 15 years. Lesley enjoys the opportunity to be part of DCFBC because the organization not only allows individuals to learn about food and wine, but also provide charitable support to the local community. Prior to moving to the DMV area, Lesley received her Juris Doctorate from Mitchell Hamline School of Law (formerly known as Hamline University School of Law) located in St. Paul, Minnesota and a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Illinois.
Larry Willett | Secretary
Larry Willett has been with the DC Food and Beverage Collective and one of the founding board members since its inception in 2016. He was also on the board of the AIWF. Larry is currently the Director for Independent Living at Brooke Grove Retirement Village, where he began working in 2009. “Excellent service every time” is the motto at Westbrooke Clubhouse (where independent living residents dine) and sums up Larry and his team’s commitment to the residents of Brooke Grove. Prior to Brooke Grove, he worked at Todd Gray’s Equinox and Gregory Hill’s David Greggory in downtown DC. Larry also spent time as an editor and productions manager. He loves food and drink, and spending time in the kitchen.
Bob Sitnick | Treasurer
Bob Sitnick is a founding member of the DC Food and Beverage Collective and is currently serving as its treasurer. Bob attended the University of Maryland. He was a charter member of The AIWF National Capital Area Chapter and was instrumental in organizing the steering committee to reactivate the chapter in 1990. He is also a member of the Kansas City Barbecue Society, and is a certified KCBS master judge. Having judged over 160 BBQ contests. Bob is a food, beer and wine enthusiast. His late wife Dana, was a great cook and the award winning editor of the AIWF newsletter.
Chase Langley
Chase Langley was born in Washington DC, grew up in Woodbridge, VA, and currently resides in Alexandria, VA. He has been attending DCFBC events since 2016 and was honored to become a board member in 2022. Chase enjoys expanding his knowledge of food, wine, and other beverages. He is excited to assist DCFBC in its mission to support the local community through entertaining and educational food and beverage events. Chase attended universities in Morgantown (WV), San Francisco, Washington, DC, and NYC, collecting various degrees along the way. He is currently employed by the federal government. In his spare time he enjoys attending wine tastings and Caps games, and traveling with his partner, Jasmine.
Jasmine Dawson
Jasmine Dawson has spent many years attending and supporting events hosted by DCFBC and was appointed to the Board of Directors in February of 2022. She is a native of Alexandria, VA and has enjoyed watching the local food scene grow and change over the years from one predominated by steak houses and spots to "power lunch" to the vibrant and dynamic restaurant scene that is now found in DC and the surrounding suburbs. By day she can be found teaching English Language Learners reading and English language skills at a Spanish/English dual language elementary school, while her evenings and weekends are filled with travel, restaurants, cooking, wine tastings and cheering on her beloved Washington Capitals.