GALA & AUCTION
In June 2024, we held our first major fundraising event in many years—Les Dames in Normandy, at the Embassy of France. The gala and auction sold out with 200 attendees, nearly half of whom were chapter members. Grande Dame Carla Hall served as our auctioneer. Tickets were sold for VIP tables with luminaries Grande Dame Joan Nathan, Dame Toni Tipton-Martin, Washington Post food critic Tom Sietsema, Carla Hall, and local food critic David Hagedorn.
The menu was a gourmet’s Normandy-inspired dream and was prepared by some of Washington’s star chefs, including Scheyla Acosta of La Bonne Vache, Susan Bae and Kevin Tien of Moon Rabbit, Ann Cashion of La Bonne Vache, Bertrand Chemel of 2941, Hugh Cossard of Food Expression, Mark Courseille of Olivia Macaron, Tony DiGregorio of Kingbird at The Watergate Hotel, Stéphane Grattier of Boulangerie Christophe, Seng Luangrath of Thip Khao and Padaek, and Christophe and Michelle Poteaux of Bastille Brasserie & Bar.
A spectacular array of auction items included a five-course tasting menu prepared by Chef Roberto Donna, dinner for four at the Chef’s Table at the Inn at Little Washington, a vacation stay at the Austria home of Dame Nora Pouillon, gift cards to some of the DMV’s hottest restaurants (Namak, Joon, Perry’s), cooking classes, wine tastings, curated gift baskets, and more.
The net proceeds from ticket sales and the auction were nearly $59,000.
The net proceeds from ticket sales and the auction were nearly $59,000.