In Washington D.C., where the nation’s business is often conducted at restaurant tables, politics have always been on the plate. This town’s restaurants are run by specialists who know how to handle the elected officials, Cabinet secretaries, White House staff, lobbyists and TV pundits who are regular clientele. But lately, spurred by social media, the country’s politics have entered their dining rooms. And, even the most experienced have had publicized politically-charged incidents.
 
This forum will explore this distinctive element of DC dining.  Longtime area restaurateurs will share their experiences and give insight into how they handle the heightened political mood in DC’s dining rooms. 
 
Hosted by the DC chapter of Les Dames d’ Escoffier www.LesDamesDC.org, an international organization of women in food, beverage and hospitality industries, and moderated by veteran journalist Carol Joynt, herself a former restaurant owner, the event promises to pull back the curtain on serving DC’s who’s who.
 
Moderated by: Carol Joynt, award-winning author, journalist, former restaurant owner and host of The Q&A Cafe
Panelists:
Ashok Bajaj, CEO, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group which includes Bombay Club, Rasika, Oval Room
Amy Brandwein – owner, Centrolina & 3-time James Beard Foundation nominee
Ruth Gresser – founder & owner, Pizzeria Paradiso restaurants
Laurent Menoud - general manager, Café Milano
Maria Trabocchi –co-owner, Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants, which include Fiola, Fiola Mare, Del Mar, three locations of  Sfoglina, Fiola Miami, and Fiola at Dopolavoro Venezia
William Washington - director of operations, Schlow Restaurant Group and former general manager BLT Prime in the Trump Hotel
Stephanie Wilkinson - owner, The Red Hen, Lexington, VA
 
Monday October 14, 2019
3-5 pm
National Press Club – 529 14th Street NW, Washington DC
Tickets: $35 (includes light desserts + cash bar)
 Click here to purchase your ticket. 
TICKET INFO: www.LesDamesDC.org
MEDIA:  Media may request credentials by emailing name, media affiliation, phone number to jill@JillCollinsPR.com

Please join us at this fun, educational and delicious event!  Tickets must be purchased in advance as spaces are limited.  More information is below.  To purchase your tickets on Eventbrite, please click here. 

We hope you can join us for this event on Sunday, March 24th! Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance.  Click here to purchase your tickets on Eventbrite.  The program is below.  

​Enjoy a soulful lunch prepared by students at Ana G. Mendez University and a presentation by ABC-TV's The Chew co-host Carla Hall about her food philosophy and impetus to write this latest cookbook.
DATE:  Friday, November 30
TIME:   Noon to 2:00 p.m.
PLACE:  Ana G. Mendez University, 514 V Street, NE
PRICE:  Dames $25; non-members $35 (includes a $10 tax-deductible donation to LDE-DC scholarship fund) 
RSVP: Click here to purchase your tickets on Eventbrite! The program is below.​

​Join our Global Culinary Initiative for a global pizza-themed workshop that combines traditional inspiration with gourmet innovations.  Amy Riolo will discuss Neapolitan pizza making, Summer Whitford will showcase Tarte Flambe,  Janet Yu will create a Chinese-inspired pizza creation and Janet Cam will share her wine expertise by suggesting wine pairings for each of the pizzas.  
DATE:  Wednesday,  December 12
TIME:  6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
PLACE:  Pizza University & Culinary Arts Center, 10310 Southard Dr, Beltsville, MD 20705
PRICE:   $65 Dames, $75 non- members.
RSVP:  Click here to purchase your tickets on Eventbrite!  The program is below.

Please join us for an evening of food and wine at Barbara Black's new restaurant Black Coffee while learning about wine pairings from Vickie Reh.  New ticket prices have been added, so you can attend with or without purchasing Vickie's new cookbook The Wine Table, Recipes and Pairings from Winemakers's Kitchens.  Ticket cost is $65 (public) or $55 (Dames members only) without the book.  Ticket price including the cookbook is $115 (public) or $105 (Dames members only).  Seating is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance.  For more information, please see the flyer below.  To purchase your tickets on Evenbrite, please click here.  

Please join us for this educational and delicious tour! Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.  For more information, see below.  To order your tickets, please click here. 

We hope you will join us for this event!  Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance.  Click here to print the program below.  Click here to register for your tickets on Eventbrite!

​SAVE THE DATE AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS
 
VIRGINIA WILLIS SHARES "SECRETS OF THE SOUTHERN TABLE"
Join Virginia Willis as she showcases her latest cookbook "Secrets of the Southern Table" and enjoy a feast of her recipes prepared by Ris Lacoste and her staff.
DATE: Wednesday, August 8
TIME: TBA
PLACE: Ris Restaurant, 2275 L St NW, Washington, DC 20037
 
EDEN CENTER CULINARY WALKING TOUR
Join us for a docent-led culinary tour and tasting of the foods of Vietnam. The Eden Center is Northern Virginia's premier Asian center comprising approximately 120 stores. The Center is the heart and soul of the Vietnamese-American Community for the entire East Coast.
DATE: Saturday, September 22
TIME: 10:00 a.m.
PLACE: Eden Center, 6751 Wilson Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044
PRICE: TBA