Scroll down for photos featuring chapter members and events of the DC Regional Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier.
Dames Who Dine: On July 26, Dames enjoyed a fabulous three-course lunch at Georgetown’s L’Avant-Garde restaurant, inspired by Chef Sébastien Giannini’s native French Riviera. The menu included a selection of six starters, a choice of three entrees (Grilled Branzino with Candied Lemon, Capers, and Beurre Blanc; Duck Magret with Candied Apple and Griottines Cherries or Le Hamburger with Raclette Cheese and Clarified Butter Frites), plus a selection of four desserts. Photos below.
The annual summer potluck didn’t disappoint; it was another delicious, fun get-together at Linda Roth’s home on August 11. Photos below from a fun afternoon. Click to enlarge.
Members of the incoming and outgoing Board had dinner on June 25 at Equinox to celebrate Carla Hall on her recent LDEI Grande Dame Award. Here are some photos from the lively gathering.
Ellen Kassoff and her husband Chef Todd Gray, owners of Equinox (now called Equinox on 19th), were among the restaurants honored for being in business for 25 years or more as part of the June 18 RAMMY Honors at the Watergate Hotel. Photos below.
Bravo to three members of our chapter who took home James Beard Awards last month! They are:
Emerging Chef: Masako Morishita, executive chef at Perry’s.
Best Single Subject cookbook: Meryl Feinstein, for Pasta Every Day: Make It, Shape It, Sauce It, Eat It.
Best Docuseries Visual Media: Pati Jinich for La Frontera with Pati Jinich, Season 2. Photos below.
Emerging Chef: Masako Morishita, executive chef at Perry’s.
Best Single Subject cookbook: Meryl Feinstein, for Pasta Every Day: Make It, Shape It, Sauce It, Eat It.
Best Docuseries Visual Media: Pati Jinich for La Frontera with Pati Jinich, Season 2. Photos below.
Board members and member sponsors welcomed many of our 33 new members at a fabulous brunch at Joon on May 19. The food was fantastic and even more wonderful was the time spent getting to know each other. Photos below.
At our April 13 event, Forest to Table, an engaged audience gained great tips to sharpen their foraging and wild foods cooking skills. Food writer Nevin Martell and chef Iulian Fortu, shared their expertise about cooking with wild ingredients commonly found in the region during the springtime, including morel mushrooms, used in morel ricotta toast (photos below).
Love Your Local Grains! Everyone enjoyed the March 23 collaborative program with our chapter and the Common Grain Alliance at the Hill Center. Some attendees baked rye flour chocolate chunk cookies with Abby Levine of Maple & Rye Bakery; all were treated to a panel discussion that explored the challenges and rewards of the local grain movement. Vendors and representatives from Foggy Mountain Pasta, Wheatland Spring Brewery, Grapewood Farm, Seylou Bakery and Sattva Bakery offered insights, samples, and products for purchase. Photo below from left: Cary Kelly, Karen Vartan, Bonnie Benwick, Patty Collette, Sheila Crye, Jessica Botta, Paulette Thompson, Lani Furbank.
The celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year of the Dragon 4722 at Chang Chang restaurant in Washington DC on February 25 was a great success. The sold out event–which featured a multi-course feast of more than a dozen dishes–was attended by nearly 60 people, including Dames and members of the public. Janet Cam spoke about the symbolism of the dragon and lion dances and presented the flight of three wines, Lambrusco, Grüner Veltliner and an Austrian blend of red wine varieties that were paired with the feast, prepared by chef proprietor Peter Chang. Chang is a 2022 James Beard Foundation Awards Outstanding Chef nominee. Photos by Deb Lindsey.
Dames Who Read: Thirteen Dames gathered for the first-ever Dames Who Read hybrid meeting (in person and Zoom) to discuss Curry: A Tale of Cooks & Conquerors, by Lizzie Collingwood. The members who met in person at Sheila Crye’s home were also treated to an amazing dinner Sheila prepared, with recipes mostly from the book: Clarified milk punch; mango buttermilk lassi; khichari (red lentils & rice); lamb korma; Nine-Jeweled Vegetable Medley with Cashew-Raisin Sauce; achars; chutneys; roti; chapatis; besan ladoo (ball-shaped sweets made with chickpea flour) and masala chai. Photos below.
Winter Potluck: The kudos poured in on the Chapter listserv after the January 21 potluck lunch at Past President Linda Roth’s home. Everyone enjoyed connecting (and reconnecting) in a relaxed and lovely setting. Remember to check out the cookbooklet of recipes that Sheila Crye assembled from dishes served at the event.
Top row, from left: Yamrot Ezineh (reHer member), Daniella Senior. Second row, from left: Katherine Miller, Micheline Mendelsohn, Jonni Scott. Third row: Diane Welland, Tiffany MacIsaac (reHer member), Kim Bryden. Fourth row: Jodi Lehr, Karen Lippold, Linda Roth. Fifth row: Ana Reyes, Jessica Botta. Sixth row: Vickie Reh, Lori Gardner, Carolyn Crow, Katherine Newell Smith. Seventh row: Sheilah Kaufman, Sheila Crye. Bottom row: Holly Barzyk, Annie Boutin King, Johanna Mendelson Forman, Stephanie Zarpas.
Top row, from left: Yamrot Ezineh (reHer member), Daniella Senior. Second row, from left: Katherine Miller, Micheline Mendelsohn, Jonni Scott. Third row: Diane Welland, Tiffany MacIsaac (reHer member), Kim Bryden. Fourth row: Jodi Lehr, Karen Lippold, Linda Roth. Fifth row: Ana Reyes, Jessica Botta. Sixth row: Vickie Reh, Lori Gardner, Carolyn Crow, Katherine Newell Smith. Seventh row: Sheilah Kaufman, Sheila Crye. Bottom row: Holly Barzyk, Annie Boutin King, Johanna Mendelson Forman, Stephanie Zarpas.
Private tour and tasting at Vineyards at Dodon: Dames and guests received a warm VIP welcome on January 14 at their visit to the Vineyards at Dodon, an award-winning regenerative winery in Davidsonville, Maryland. Green Tables Committee Chair Lani Furbank reports that the group learned a lot about regenerative agriculture, including how a flock of sheep grazes among the vines in the winter to keep weeds down and enrich the soil, reducing the need for synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Sneak peek into the next Green Tables program: An in-person wild foods cooking class in April to learn about foraged ingredients and how to prepare them. Stay tuned.
Dames Who Drink: Nine Dames made their way to the West End to Marcel’s by Robert Wiedmaier for a lively happy hour on January 11. The Marcel’s team–led by two talented up-and-coming female chefs, Chef de Cuisine Jenn Castaneda-Jones and Pastry Chef Zarmina Kahn–wowed the group with an array of complimentary savory morsels that included lamb croquettes, goat cheese croquettes, tuna tartare, lobster salad on brioche, lobster bisque and mushroom cigars. And then there was dessert: pecan sandies, apricot newtons, fudge macarons, blueberry white chocolate bonbons, white chocolate raspberry bonbons and dark chocolate pate a choux! Dames sipped bubbly, wine, and cocktails while discussing what we hope to let go of and embrace in 2024. Thanks to Jill Collins for suggesting Marcel’s, one of the clients of the Jill Collins Public Relations Group. Pictured below. back row, from left: Bonnie Buchanan, Rose Clifford, Marie Steffany, Olga Boikess, Patti Collette, Danielle Turner. Front row, from left: former Dame Gina Dakouni, Annie Boutin King, Sheila Crye, Aviva Goldfarb
One of our 2023 highlights was the return of our symposium - renamed Bringing It to the Table we brought together the leading women in many culinary fields to spend the day sharing their expertise and discussing topics from book publishing, the state of restaurants, food insecurity, no-waste movement in food and so much more!
Susan Callahan (pictured left, below, along with Ellen Kassoff) tells us that she has been working the front of the house at Ellen Kassoff’s restaurant, The Federal, in Rehoboth Beach. Susan and her husband retired two years ago to coastal Delaware, and while working the FOH was not her “strong suit,” Ellen gave her a chance. Susan reports that she “loves the sense of community, the wonderful meals that are prepared, and the people who call themselves regulars” at the restaurant. “Retirement can be a challenge; I had an identity and a career,” says Susan. “Retirement means you have to redefine yourself. With Ellen’s and other Dames’ help, I have been able to do that!”
On December 11, Jill Collins, Ana Reyes, Aviva Goldfarb and Bonnie Benwick (not pictured) attended the Re: Her DC holiday market supporting women-owned food businesses at the woman-owned Cork Wine Bar & Market on 14th St. NW.
On December 6, Dames dined with author/editor Toni Tipton-Martin at Purple Patch, a Filipino-American restaurant in Mt. Pleasant, after her appearance and book signing at the nearby Bold Fork Books. Photo below.
(Back row, from left): Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, Laura Kumin, Lani Furbank, Purple Patch Chef-Owner Patrice Cleary, Bonnie Benwick, Holly Barzyk, Cary Kelly. (Front row, from left): Sheila Crye, Toni Tipton-Martin, Tambra Raye Stevenson
(Back row, from left): Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, Laura Kumin, Lani Furbank, Purple Patch Chef-Owner Patrice Cleary, Bonnie Benwick, Holly Barzyk, Cary Kelly. (Front row, from left): Sheila Crye, Toni Tipton-Martin, Tambra Raye Stevenson
Live from Louisville! In between the pre-conference tours, packed schedule of sessions, Council of Delegates meeting and more, attendees got to eat, schmooze and network at October’s LDEI conference.
Summer Potluck: As usual, there was a lot of good food and good company at our chapter’s annual summer potluck in August.
Dinner Honoring New Members: On July 23, our chapter welcomed new members over panzanella, risotto (and more) at a lively and lovely dinner at Ristorante i Ricchi. Photos below. Photo 1: New members, from left, Anna Spiegel, Rina Rapuano, Bonnie Buchanan, Winnette McIntosh Ambrose, Kryss Speegle, Lauren Selman, Avery Meetre, Sara Morgan, Kelly Phillips, Jen Lin-Liu, Meryl Feinstein
Photo 2: Chris Ricchi, owner of i Ricchi
Photo 2: Chris Ricchi, owner of i Ricchi
World Refugee Day Pupusa Workshop: More than two dozen Dames and guests gathered at El Tamarindo restaurant on June 20 for a pupusa-making lesson, led by owner Ana Reyes. World Refugee Day, designated by the United Nations, honors the courage of the millions of people who have been forced to leave their homelands due to persecution or conflict.
From left, Ana and Global Culinary Initiatives Committee Chair Amy Riolo.
From left, Ana and Global Culinary Initiatives Committee Chair Amy Riolo.
Dames gathered at Ris in the West End to help Ris Lacoste celebrate her honor of receiving the 2023 Duke Zeibert Capital Achievement Award from the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington.
From left, Jodi Lehr, Ris, Bonnie Benwick, Annie Boutin-King, Michele Jacobs, Linda Roth, Joan Nathan, Karen Vartan.
From left, Jodi Lehr, Ris, Bonnie Benwick, Annie Boutin-King, Michele Jacobs, Linda Roth, Joan Nathan, Karen Vartan.
Dames at the Beach: About a dozen Dames convened at Rehoboth Beach from March 31 to April 2 for great food and conversation. Here are a few snapshots from the fun weekend.
Dames Who Dine: At a gathering on March 23 celebrating her eponymous restaurant’s nomination for a James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Restaurant, Ris Lacoste’s greeting to the almost two dozen members was like a warm hug. Indeed, despite a full-house, she found time to regale us with backstories about the menu – a salad enhanced with a cheesy gougere, followed by leek and mustard crusted salmon over cabbage and beets with a potato and celery root gratin. Dessert, a lime Bavarian cheesecake, was a four-layer textural wonder and tribute to the late chef/restaurateur Bob Kinkead.
Waste Not Want Not: On Sunday, February 26, more than 60 Dames and guests came out for "Waste Not, Want Not," a Green Tables program about the importance of composting and zero-waste cooking. Ellen Kassoff and Lani Furbank organized an educational afternoon at Ellen’s Equinox Restaurant, featuring a cooking demo with Equinox Chef Todd Gray and a panel with experts from the community, including Caroline Howe, the Food Waste Innovation Grants Manager at the DC Department of Small & Local Business Development; Jeffrey Neal, the CEO of Loop Closing; and Lela Singh, the Retail and Social Media Manager at Teaism. Attendees enjoyed bites and drinks made from ingredients that are usually tossed, and learned about the various ways to fight food waste by rescuing scraps and composting organic matter. Generous community businesses donated to the silent auction and raffle, resulting in nearly a dozen sustainable lifestyle offerings. The fundraiser was a great success, raising more than $1,300 for our chapter’s grants and scholarships. Photos below. Swiss Chard & Kale Stem Tempura with Saffron Aioli; Ellen Kassoff and husband Chef Todd Gray.
Dames Who Drink: Our new tradition continued with a cheerful informal gathering at the elegant Next Whisky Bar in the Watergate Hotel on February 7, hosted by Annie Boutin-King, and organized by Aviva Goldfarb. Photo below. Back row, from left: Karen Vartan, Aviva Goldfarb, Sheila Crye, Nona Nielsen-Parker, Janet Cam, Teri Galvez. Bottom row, from left: Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, Susan Delbert, Jodi Lehr, Alison Ricketts, Cary Kelly, Annie Boutin-King, Patty Collette. Not pictured: Linda Davis, Janis McLean, Linda Roth.
Unraveling the New Social Media Landscape, January 19, 2023: About 20 members and non-members gathered to hear the inspiring stories and generous advice from three successful food bloggers – Anina Belle Giannini of Le Chef’s Wife, Britney Brown-Chamberlain of “Britney Breaks Bread” and Shani Whisonant of “Begin with Butter." Among the takeaways: for those just starting an online presence, give yourself permission to take it slow and learn as you go; authenticity is preferable to perfection, and find a network of peers for support and resource sharing. The plentiful array of appetizers, desserts, soft drinks and wine were donated by RATIONAL USA, courtesy of Cindy Selby. Kim Bryden donated use of her office space for the event. Photo below, from left: Moderator Bonnie Benwick, panelists Anina Belle Giannini, Britney Brown-Chamberlain and Shani Whisonant.
Jill Collins was honored at a reception at her client, Carmine’s, on January 15, 2023 to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Jill Collins Public Relations Group, Inc. Among the friends and colleagues who stopped by was LDE-DC President Linda Roth.
It’s never too late to celebrate the holidays, as shown by this shot taken at the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s party at the Mayflower Club on January 9. RAMW always holds its holiday party after the new year, since in December, its members are too busy helping others celebrate. From left, Jodi Lehr, Linda Roth, Nadine Brown and Rachel Martin. Not pictured, Erinn Tucker-Oluwole.
Dames Who Drink: Organized by Holly Barzyk and Aviva Goldfarb, #dameswhodrink had its inaugural gathering at Destino in La Cosecha on December 14. The drinks and food, inspired by the cuisine of Oaxaca, Mexico, were fabulous, and Dames even enjoyed a chocolate-stuffed chili for dessert.
Holiday Potluck: Lori Gardner generously hosted the holiday potluck on December 11; 24 members came bearing plates, platters and bowls of delicious food. The informal twice-a-year potlucks are a great way to get to know sister Dames.
LDEI Annual Conference: DC Dames enjoyed attending the October conference in NYC.
Dames Who Dine: Here’s the happy, well-fed group that enjoyed Ana Reyes’ El Tamarindo restaurant on October 12.
Wine & Stories: A Conversation with Dana Cowin: Our chapter hosted a reception, wine tasting and lively conversation at The Four Seasons Hotel on September 20. The event brought out members and non-members who enjoyed former Food & Wine Editor-in-Chief Cowin (pictured right) in an insightful chat with Washingtonian food editor Anna Spiegel (left). Cowin just launched her self-published zine called Speaking Broadly, a companion to her popular podcast. During the event, she asked members of the audience to hold up the zine so that she could record the moment for her social media.
On September 10 a group of Dames visited the Anacostia Community Museum for a guided tour of the “Food for the People” exhibit, which explores DC’s food system and the inequalities that shape it. Several of our chapter’s members are featured in the exhibit. Photos below show Laura Chase de Formigny posing by the photo she took of Janet Yu, owner of Hollywood East Cafe, who is highlighted in a section about preserving and sharing Chinese food culture. Tambra Raye Stevenson, founder of WANDA (Women Advancing Nutrition Dietetics & Agriculture), appears in a video as a champion for food justice. Lori Gardner, Jill Collins, Linda Roth and Paulette Thompson outside the museum where Mary Blackford of Market 7 is featured. Market 7 will give underserved communities in Wards 7 and 8 a place to buy prepared food and fresh produce from Black-owned businesses.
It was great to see everyone at the annual summer potluck on August 14, where almost 30 members showed up for lively food and conversation at the home of Linda Roth.
It’s never too late to rehash the RAMMYS, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s annual restaurant awards. At this year’s glam gala, which took place on July 24, shout outs went to Dames honorees Ana Reyes of El Tamarindo for a 2022 Honorary Milestone Award (40 years) and Daniella Senior for Cocktail Program of the Year- Serenata.
Summer Fiesta at Santa Rosa Taqueria: Over nachos and grapefruit margaritas, it was so good to chat with new members, new board members and revisit with long time Dames on June 29 at Santa Rosa Taqueria, Catherine and Micheline Mendelsohn’s lively Capitol Hill restaurant.
Dames gathered June 5 for Sunday Supper, an annual event that celebrates the city’s food community and its great chefs. It also serves as the primary fundraiser for the Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program (WEL), a partnership with the James Beard Foundation. Chapter members who contributed to the meal, held at Dock 5 in Union Market, were Daniella Senior of Serenata, Amy Brandwein of Centrolina and Jodi Lehr of Santa Lucia Coffee.
Dames Who Dine: On May 24 at Serenata in the La Cosecha marketplace, we were thrilled to meet for cocktails, tasty bites and most importantly–great conversation. Five of our incoming 2022 new members joined us, and we can’t wait for you all to meet this dynamic new group.
Coffee Klatch: Camila Arango hosted an informal coffee get-together at Pluma by Bluebird, her modern Union Market cafe/bakery on Tuesday morning May 10. The sampler of pastries that she generously offered inspired the group to ask for a “backstage” tour of her impressive pastry and bread making facilities.
A group of Dames hit the road to enjoy the March 31, 2022 Amalfi Coast Meets Delmarva Chef’s Tasting Menu and wine pairing at Federal Fritter in Rehoboth Beach, co-owned by Ellen Kassoff.
Fields 4 Valor Day Trip, October 10, 2021: It was a super rewarding afternoon for the members, non-members and kids who helped out on Sunday, October 10 at Fields 4 Valor, a non-profit farm run by veteran-farmer Peter Scott in Brandywine, Maryland. At the farm--which provides food for 30 distressed veteran families--the group learned about beekeeping, did weeding, and organized the barn and tree debris. Scott said afterwards that the Dames gathering showed him how to get other volunteers to help him, have fun and leave wanting to come back. Such was the case with our group, so stay tuned for a spring outing.
Congratulations to all our chapter members nominated for the 39th Annual Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington’s RAMMY Awards and to those who won awards at the September 19 ceremony. They are:
Standout Family Meal Packages To Go: Christianne Ricchi, Ristorante i Ricchi (pictured at left accepting her award)
Good Neighbor Award, Individual Honors: Anna Valero, Hook Hall Helps - PR Rep Jill Collins; Tim Ma, Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate – DC - PR Rep Aba Kwawu; David Guas, Bayou Bakery Chefs Feeding Families- PR Rep: Simone Rathle. Micheline Mendelsohn and Spike Mendelsohn, National Guard Inauguration Program, and More.
Good Neighbor Award, Company/Organization Honors: Pizzeria Paradiso, PR rep Charissa Benjamin; RASA, PR rep Kyle Schmitz
Sweet Relief: Baking and Pastry to Go --Honorable Mention: Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, PR rep Charissa Benjamin; Pluma by Bluebird Bakery, Camila Arango.
2021 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award: Pizzeria Paradiso, Ruth Gresser
Also, a shout out to Jodi Lehr, Legacy Chair of the RAMMYS Gala Committee.
Standout Family Meal Packages To Go: Christianne Ricchi, Ristorante i Ricchi (pictured at left accepting her award)
Good Neighbor Award, Individual Honors: Anna Valero, Hook Hall Helps - PR Rep Jill Collins; Tim Ma, Chefs Stopping AAPI Hate – DC - PR Rep Aba Kwawu; David Guas, Bayou Bakery Chefs Feeding Families- PR Rep: Simone Rathle. Micheline Mendelsohn and Spike Mendelsohn, National Guard Inauguration Program, and More.
Good Neighbor Award, Company/Organization Honors: Pizzeria Paradiso, PR rep Charissa Benjamin; RASA, PR rep Kyle Schmitz
Sweet Relief: Baking and Pastry to Go --Honorable Mention: Astro Doughnuts & Fried Chicken, PR rep Charissa Benjamin; Pluma by Bluebird Bakery, Camila Arango.
2021 Honorary Milestone RAMMY Award: Pizzeria Paradiso, Ruth Gresser
Also, a shout out to Jodi Lehr, Legacy Chair of the RAMMYS Gala Committee.
On September 12, a group of members chatted over buttermilk biscuits and lemon ricotta doughnuts at a leisurely brunch on the patio of Gunther & Co., Nancy Hart Trice’s Baltimore restaurant. Entrees included a choice of Peaches and Cream French Toast; Gulf Shrimp, Andouille Sausage & Grits, and a Summer Farm Salad with Grilled Chicken. It was so nice to see everyone!
July 18: Fourteen Dames and friends met at Brookside Gardens for a foraging walk headed by naturalist guide Matt Cohen. The group found wild raspberries, wine berries, chanterelles and turkey tail mushrooms, and learned how to prepare milkweed buds and make a wonderful pink lemonade from sumac berries. The walk-and-talk was followed by brunch at Barbara Black’s Black Market Bistro which included beignets, gazpacho and a choice of chanterelle quiche. It was a tremendous day!
Check this out! Our Chapter donated $5000 from our fabulous “Luscious Planet” fundraiser to Thrive DC, an organization that serves homeless and vulnerable individuals in the District and runs a women’s dinner program. The remaining $3285 will go towards our own scholarship and grants programs. Thanks to all who contributed and to the fundraising committee for their stellar efforts!
July 25, 2021 was a memorable evening for 28 new members, their sponsors and Board members at Christianne Ricchi’s restaurant, iRicchi. New members from the 2020 and 2021 class were warmly welcomed to the chapter.
Back row: Marcia Friedman, Cary Kelly, Catherine Mendelsohn, Laura Chase de Formigny, Michelle Douglas, April Dubose, Carolyn Crow, Jonni Scott.
Front row: Erin Clarke, Katie Walker, Camila Arango, Paulette Thompson, Cindy Selby. New member photo courtesy of Deb Lindsey.
Front row: Erin Clarke, Katie Walker, Camila Arango, Paulette Thompson, Cindy Selby. New member photo courtesy of Deb Lindsey.
On July 18, 2021 fourteen Dames and friends met at Brookside Gardens for a foraging walk headed by naturalist guide Matt Cohen. The group found wild raspberries, wine berries, chanterelles and turkey tail mushrooms, and learned how to prepare milkweed buds and make a wonderful pink lemonade from sumac berries. The walk-and-talk was followed by brunch at Barbara Black’s Black Market Bistro which included beignets, gazpacho and a choice of chanterelle quiche. It was a tremendous day!
Foraging walks with Matt Cohen in April and May 2021 have been a welcomed respite for our members during the pandemic thanks to the efforts of Karen Vartan. Dames learned to discern between toxic and nontoxic plants, enjoyed each other’s company in the great outdoors while learning quite a bit about wildlife survival.
On June 1, 2020, close to 130 Dames and members of the public watched “Reinventing Restaurants: An Insider’s Look at Pivoting in a Pandemic,” a LDE-DC zoom webinar that was a positive, personable and thought-provoking look at how our member restaurateurs have been dealing with the fallout from COVID-19. Aviva Goldfarb moderated the 75-minute panel, comprising Jessica Botta, Director of Training and Culinary Development, Fabio Trabocchi Restaurants; Ellen Kassoff, Co-owner, Equinox Restaurant; Nona Nielsen Parker, Production Manager, Atwater’s; Christianne Ricchi, Chef/Owner, Ristorante i Ricchi and Juste Zidelyte, Chef/Owner, Maple Ave Restaurant.
A sold out crowd at Jaleo in Crystal City on March 7, 2020 enjoyed the spirited presentation Circumnavigating Spain and Its Regional Foods from Stacey Adams and CiCi Williamson. The two led the audience on a virtual tour around Spain illustrated by beautiful photographs taken by the speakers and accompanied by tastes of the country's regional foods. Photos courtesy of Stacey Adams.
DC Dames and the public enjoyed an evening with Nathalie Dupree on March 4, 2020. Grand Dame Joan Nathan graciously introduced Grand Dame Nathalie Dupree who shared always-engaging stories from her newest cookbook, Nathalie Dupree's Favorite Stories and Recipes (Gibbs Smith, October 2019). And, as mistress of ceremonies Drew Faulkner told the audience, they also got a master's class on making Southern biscuits! A beautiful and delicious buffet dinner, prepared by Barbara Black and her staff at Black Coffee on MacArthur Blvd. in DC, featured dishes using recipes from Nathalie's book. Photos below courtesy of CiCi Williamson and Katherine Newell Smith.
On February 9, 2020 a group of DC Dames met at the new Park View Farmers Market, a year-round Sunday market held at the cool new event space on Georgia Avenue, Hook Hall.
Photographs from the Dames Winter Potluck on January 19, 2020.
DC Dames enjoy lunch at the Savor Food Hall in Prince George's County, Maryland on January 11, 2020. Photo below.
Photographs from Jubilee: A Celebration of Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking at Gunther's in Baltimore on November 23, 2019.
DC Chapter Autumn General Membership Meeting and Luncheon at Ris Restaurant on November 9, 2019.
Photographs from the November 4, 2019 Capital Area Food Bank's Empty Bowls fundraiser.
Photographs from the November 2, 2019 French Grill presentation and luncheon at Ris Restaurant with Susan Herrmann Loomis.
Photographs from the Les Dames International Conference in Nashville October 24-27, 2019.
Politics on the Plate, October 14, 2019 at The National Press Club. A sold-out crowd of 90 guests (plus the hard-working Dames who made the event happen) filled the National Press Club's largest event room for a lively, topical panel discussion by major D.C. restaurateurs on how the heated politics of today have entered public dining rooms. Click here to watch the entire presentation.
DC Dames and the public enjoyed an informative and delicious insider's tour of the Bethesda Central Farm Market on October 6, 2019.
A sell-out crowd gathered at Equinox Restaurant on September 14, 2019 for CiCi Williamson's luncheon program on Downton Abbey: The Movie.
A group of Dames gathered to support Susan Callahan at her Torpedo Factory art show, Kitchen Stories, on September 12. 2019.
DC Dames and friends scored tickets to the Glenstone Museum on September 7, 2019 for a delicious lunch followed by a tour of the museum.
DC Dames gathered in July at the annual Dames Summer Social Potluck.
Our 2019 Spring General Membership Meeting was held June 8 at Jenn Crovato's 1310 Kitchen & Bar at the Georgetown Inn. Jenn welcomed DC Dames with some bubbly and breakfast nibbles and, after the meeting (during which new 2019 Dames were welcomed), everyone enjoyed a sumptuous brunch buffet.
On June 2nd, a small group of DC Dames toured the new and renowned Glenstone museum in Potomac, MD and dined at the Cafe, the museum's on-site restaurant helmed by former L'Academie de Cuisine Culinary Program Director Brian Patterson. Picture below.
DC Dames gathered for a fun happy hour on May 8 at the Bayou Bakery in Arlington, VA.
We had over 40 guests at the Ritz-Carlton on May 4, 2019 to hear about Cesar Ritz and Auguste Escoffier's long partnership from guest speaker Luke Barr - the grand-nephew of M.F.K.Fisher, and author of Ritz & Escoffier: the Hotelier, the Chef, and the Rise of the Leisure Class.
Our chapter's first inaugural DC Pitch Fest was held March 9, 2019 at a brunch program at Mission Navy Yard that attracted more than 40 member and non-member attendees. Six women entrepreneurs pitched their business models to our panel of Dame experts. Congratulations to Gayle Galbraith and the entire group. Pitches were presented by: Rachel Bush, Honey and Hive; Tamara Cole, Wilma's Batter; Gayle Galbraith, Federal Brewing Company; Kimberly Lipinski, Elder Nourish; Bridget Meagher, Catbird Hill Farm and Jaimie Mertz, Red Bandana Bakery.
Dames Who Dine met for luncheon at the French Embassy's Le Petit Bouchon on January 25, 2019.
DC Dames and the public enjoyed a fascinating presentation on the ZIP Codes of Food on January 19, 2019 at Texas Jack's Barbecue in Arlington, Va. While dining on the delicious buffet the group learned where food originated and how it traveled around the world to create today's cuisines.
DC Chapter Board Members shared dinner on on January 15th at Chris Ricchi's luxurious Italian restaurant, i Ricchi, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
And a good time was had by all! Our annual Holiday Potluck was held on Sunday, December 16. This yearly fete is always a welcome opportunity to get together and catch up.
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DC Dames participated in DC Metro Cooking Show December 1 and 2.
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Effervescent, informative, forthcoming and entertaining, Carla Hall demonstrated all of these qualities and more on Friday, November 30 during her presentation for her newest cookbook Carla Hall's Soul Food. Held at Ana G. Mendez University in Northeast DC, Carla arrived early to meet and mentor the group of culinary students who prepared her recipes. The first of her many appearances over the weekend, she drew a crowd of over 40 who listened intently as she spoke about her journey to revisit and expand the Southern foods of her youth. She shared that it is her most personal book to date. After a Q & A session, Carla and attendees joined the students in the state-of-the-art teaching kitchen to enjoy a variety of Southern specialties while mingling and posing for LOTS of selfies.
Dames Who Read met to discuss The Jell-o Girls and sample all kinds of Jello at their November meeting.
DC Dames and the public enjoyed an evening of Food and Wine on November 1st at Black Coffee with Vickie Reh inspired by Vickie's new book The Wine Table - Recipes and Pairings from Winemakers' Kitchens.
DC Dames enjoyed a Happy Hour at Indique.
DC Dames and the public attended a dinner and talk on October 31st at Gunther & Co. in Baltimore with Stephanie Hersh about the history of Julia Child and her impact on the U.S. culinary world.
DC Dames attended the LDEI Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington in October 2018.
DC Dames arranged a walking and eating tour of the Eden Center on September 22, 2018 the largest Asian-themed mall on the East Coast and the heart and soul of the Vietnamese-American community.
Virginia Willis (Atlanta) created a sumptuous dinner with Ris Lacoste at RIS on August 8, 2018 to promote her new book, Secrets of the Southern Table: A Food Lover's Tour of the Global South" (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2018).
DC Dames gathered on July 19th for their annual Summer Potluck.
A happy hour welcoming our newest members was held at Ruth Gresser's Pizzeria Paradiso on Monday, July 9, 2018.
Photos from the June 2, 2018 Spring General Membership Meeting at Ris.
Photos from the May 15th, 2018 Tour of the Sotterley Plantation in Hollywood, Maryland.
Photos from the April 20th, 2018 Foodways Tour of the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Photos from the April 16th, 2018 dinner and presentation at Hollywood East Cafe, Dumplings Along the Silk Road.
Photos from the Inaugural Marianne Ali Brunch at DC Central Kitchen which took place to honor the 111th graduating class on April 6, 2018.
DC Dames break bread with Grande Dames Lidia Bastianich and our own Joan Nathan on April 4, 2018 at Amy Brandwein's Centrolina.
Photos from the March 10th, 2018 Eleventh Salute to Women in Gastronomy: Celebrating Food at the Universities as Shady Grove. This event is held every two years and is an all day celebration of all things food: preparing it, savoring it, writing about it, photographing it, and so much more!
Watch this year's Celebrating Food's Keynote Speaker, Pati Jinich on this morning's Talk Live WJLA-TV (ABC) Good Morning Washington
For full details of March 10th's Celebrating Food, visit celebratingfood.org
For full details of March 10th's Celebrating Food, visit celebratingfood.org
Carla Hall was a presenter at the American School Counselor Association and ReachHigher celebration on February 2, 2018 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. where former First Lady Michelle Obama was the keynote speaker.
DC Dames Who Read gathered in February 2018 to discuss Abbie Rosner's book Breaking Bread in the Galilee: A Journey into the Promised Land
DC Dames enjoyed a Holiday Potluck on December 10th, 2017. Delicious drinks and treats abounded. The annual gathering is always a wonderful time to reconnect and greet friends new and old.
More than 60 attended the Ann Arbor Chapter's first fundraiser, a "Downton Abbey" tea and talk by CiCi Williamson at the Ann Arbor City Club on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Many Dames provided special teas and other fancy teatime fare including scones by Amy Emberling of Zingerman's Bakehouse.
Thanks to Hill Center DC for hosting the Les Dames-WCR, November 15, 2017 forum on sexual harassment in the restaurant industry, and to Nycci Nellis for moderating the panel.
DC Dames participated in the Empty Bowls fundraiser October 30, 2017. Empty Bowls is a fun and worthwhile event that benefits the Capital Area Food Bank, the Washington metro area's largest hunger-relief organization.
The LDEI annual conference held in Newport Beach, California October 26-30, 2017 welcomed 225 Dames from the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom for three days of convivial learning, wining and dining.
Nora Pouillon was the honoree at FRESHFARM's 20th annual Feast gala. Spike Gjerde and Ris Lacoste were the co-hosts at the October 17 event held at Dock 5 of Union Market. Nora is FreshFarm founding board member.
Dames Who Dine at Sfoglina on July 18, 2017.
DC Dames participated as judges in the LRA Chef Challenge.
Photos from the July 15, 2017 Tour and Tasting at Moorenko's Ice Cream Factory.
Stacey Adams was inducted into the Guilde Internationale des Fromagers de Saint-Uguzon on June 27 at the residence of Geard Araud, French Ambassador to the United States. Cathy Strange, President of the Guilde's New World Chapter and Roland Barthelemy, the Guilde's Provost, presented Stacey with the Guilde's medal, its highest honor, recognizing her exemplary work to promote, educate and foster the traditions of artisanal French and American cheeses.
CiCi Williamson presented "Kitchen Confidential: How the Culinary Scenes for Downton Abbey Were Filmed," in St. Louis on June 7 for the St. Louis-LDE program and dinner held at Mary Ann's Tea Room.
Photos from the June 19, 2017 Dames Who Read gathering and pasta making session.
Photos from the June 15, 2017 Dames tour of Meatcrafters, home of the Skinny Salamis.
On May 20th, 2017, Nona Nielsen Parker hosted an in depth, educational, and delicious tour of Atwater's Big Kitchen in Baltimore. The sold out group of thirty, including several Dames, got an in-depth and exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of this multifaceted production kitchen.
Photographs from the May 13, 2017 presentation on The Exotic Art of Blending Spices at Choolaah Indian Barbeque in the Mosaic District.
Photographs from the May 11, 2017 tour of George and Martha Washington's bountiful table and gardens at Mount Vernon.
Photographs from Joan Nathan and Bonnie Benwick's conversation at the Israeli Embassy on May 10, 2017 featuring Joan's new cookbook King Solomon's Table.
Nora Pouillon was awarded the 2017 Women and the Green Economy (WAGE) ® Leadership Award on May 9, by Earth Day Network during its 2017 Climate Leadership Gala at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.
James Beard Award Gala, May 7, 2017 Chicago.
Photographs from the May 6, 2017 Spring General Membership Meeting at Nora's.
Photographs from the March 25, 2017 Luncheon and Presentation on The White House Egg Roll: My 35 Years of Egg-ceptional Orchestration with Cecilia Glembocki
Photographs from the January 28, 2017 Luncheon at Rocklands Barbeque & Grilling Company in Arlington, VA
DC Dames December 4, 2016 Women In Words at ILO Salon in Georgetown
DC Dames honored the Chapter's founding members on December 3, 2016 at Brasserie Beck
Photos from the October 30th, 2016 Chapeau Auguste Escoffier Brunch at the French Embassy
Photos from the October 2016 National and International LDEI Conference in Washington, D.C. (below)
Photos from the November 2016 Autumn General Membership Meeting at the Ritz-Carlton (below)
Photos from A Regional Tour of Indian Curries at Indique on September 27, 2016 (below)
Photo from the September 2016 book signing party for Monica Bhide's new book Karma and the Art of Butter Chicken (below)
Photos from the June 25, 2016 Moorenko's Ice Cream Factory Tour and Tasting (below)
Photos from the June 24,2016 Green Tables volunteer opportunity at the Capital Area Food Bank (below)
Photos from the June 23, 2016 Dames Who Dine at Gunther's in Baltimore (below)
Photos from the June 2016 RAMMY's Awards (below)
Photos from the Instagram Session on June 13, 2016 (below)
Photos from the Spring General Membership Meeting and Luncheon at Marcel's on May 7, 2016 (below)
Photos from First Families of Virginia: Arlington House Tour and Luncheon, on April 30, 2016 (below)
Photo from the reception at Chaia for new member candidates on March 13, 2016 (below)
Photos from the March 5, 2016 CELEBRATE FOOD Women in Gastronomy Symposium at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD (below)
Photos from the February 22, 2016 Uzbekistan Feast at Rus-Uz Restaurant. (below)
Photos from the February 20th, 2016 Taste of Taiwan at Hollywood East Cafe. (below)
Photos from the December 2015 Dames Holiday Potluck Dinner. (below)
Photos from the December 2015 luncheon and presentation on "The Life an Times of Julia Child" at Ris. (below)
Photos from the Second Annual Women in Words at Salon Ilo. December 2015. (below)
Dames Who Dine at the Mussel Bar in Baltimore and Via Umbria in DC. Nov. & Dec. 2015 (below)
Amy Brandwein, Capital Food Fight winner with hosts Jose Andres and Carla Hall. November 2015 (below)
Photos from the November 5, 2015 first Urban Kitchen Holiday PopUp held at Room & Board. (below)
Photos from the Les Dames d'Escoffier International Annual Conference in Charleston, SC October 29 to Nov. 1, 2015 (below)
DC Dames volunteer at DC Central Kitchen October 26, 2015 (below)
DC Dames gather at the Autumn General Membership Meeting and Dinner at the National Press Club with Executive Chef Susan Delbert on October 19, 2015 (below)
Dames enjoy a luncheon and lecture at Kizuna Sushi and Ramen on October 10, 2015 (below).
Photos from the October 6, 2015 3rd Annual Craft Spirit of Poe fundraiser and cocktail party at the Loft at 600F (below).
Photos from September 2015 Dames Events: Dames Who Dine at Centrolina and the Hampton Mansion Tour & Luncheon
Photos from August 2015 Dames luncheon at Naples Restaurant and a Dames planning meeting for an upcoming program on the history and culture of Taiwan (below)
Photos from the July 13th, 2015 Pot Luck gathering (below)
Photos from the June 4th, 2015 Sacred Foods of Israel at the Washington JCC (below)
Photos from the June 1, 2015 Spring General Membership Meeting at Carmine's (below)
Photos from the May 21, 2015 Embassy Chef Challenge (below)
Photos from the May 22, 2015 Dames volunteering at DC Central Foods Kitchen (below)
Photos from the May 16, 2015 Eco City Farm Tour (below)
DC Dames joined to support
the Capital Area Food Bank’s April 26, 2015, 12th annual Blue Jeans Ball. The event raised
over $1.4 million to help solve hunger in the region! (photos below)
Photos from Southeast Asian Food with a French Accent at Mama Rouge on Saturday, April 18, 2015 (below)
Photos from the March 2015 annual IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) Conference in Washington, D.C. (below)
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