Credit: ANNA BONGLOVANNI

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ANNA BONGLOVANNI

Our scene opens on a bustling eatery. People are piling up, a line spilling out the door, growing restless. A coffee cup smashes on the ground. A child is crying. Suddenly, our heroine flies into action! Plate after plate comes pouring out of the kitchen, rapid fire! Patrons find their seats and appetites are sated, lickety-split! The food and drink are manna from heaven! Thanks to our intrepid heroine, THE DAY IS SAVED!

It doesnโ€™t take an epic saga or backstory to tell you that women have been slaying in the service industry since long before the restaurant was invented. Here are the all-stars who make Portland go SHAZAM.

Andrea Damewood is a food writer and restaurant critic. Her interests include noodle soups, fried chicken, and sparkles.