Dames Who Read: Queen of the Turtle Derby and Other Southern Phenomena, by Julia Reed.

Food writer Jeffrey Steingarten calls Reed’s writing “funny and addictive, blending the street smarts of Greenville, Mississippi, where 'girls are taught to drink Scotch and smoke cigarettes and drive a car by the time they are twelve,' with the sophistication of a globe-trotting journalist. Julia's favorite subjects are Southern--fashion, politics, and above all food, which she describes with irresistible affection, knowledge, and delight."
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Monday, October 21: Hybrid meeting (in person and Zoom), hosted by Janet Cam and Bonnie Benwick, who will be preparing a seated dinner (limited to 10) made with recipes from the book.

Dinner starts at 6:30, discussion starts at 7. Location is Janet’s house at 12608 Exchange Court N, Potomac, Md.

Please RSVP to [email protected] by Friday, October 18.

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3019868540
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Dames Who Drink: Join us at the dazzling Next Whisky Bar at the Watergate, co-hosted by Annie Boutin-King, director of catering at the Watergate hotel, and Aviva Goldfarb, director of drinking of Les Dames. Dames can order off the menu, created by Executive Chef Tony DiGregario, formerly of Cafe Boulud and DBGB. Attendees will pay their own tabs. Change of date: Tuesday, February 7, 6 to 8 p.m. 2650 Virginia Ave. NW. Valet parking is available for $25, and some metered parking is available on Virginia Avenue.

Reel Tasty: Haute Cuisine. Based on the true story of an unknown country cook who becomes the personal chef of French President Francois Mitterand. He runs the country. She runs the kitchen. Together they serve with excellence. Available on Hoopla and Freevee. Discussion moderated by Sheryl Hoehner. Tuesday, February 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Meeting ID: 843 9253 4278 

Dames Who Read: Salmon: A Fish, the Earth, and the History of Their Common Fate, by Mark Kurlansky. Most of what we do on land ends up impacting the ocean, but never is that clearer than when we look at salmon. Centuries of our greatest assaults on nature, from overfishing to dams, from hatcheries to fish farms, from industrial pollution to the ravages of climate change, can be seen in their harrowing yet awe-inspiring life cycle. Mark Kurlansky lays bare our misdirected attempts to manipulate salmon for our own benefit. Now, the only way to save salmon is to save the planet, and the only way to save the planet may be to save the salmon. Eileen Dykes will moderate the discussion. Tuesday, March 21, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Zoom link to come.

Dames Who Dine Save the date: Thursday, March 23 at RIS. And get this: Last week, the James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for the 2023 James Beard Awards, and Ris Lacoste, owner of RIS, made the list for Outstanding Restaurant! The finalists will be announced on March 29, and the winners gala takes place on June 5 in Chicago. Details about the dinner to come.