Public Events
Upcoming Events:
Truffle Hunting in Virginia: Monday, January 19 and Saturday, January 31, 1 to 3 p.m.
The Green Tables Committee is excited to partner with Virginia Truffles, a truffle farm in Rixeyville, for a private immersive truffle experience. Guests will be welcomed to the “truffiere” with a bonfire and a seasonal beverage, then led on a hunt by the farm’s skilled truffle dogs to track and unearth Black Périgord truffles.
Afterwards, the chef will conduct a tasting with truffle hors d’oeuvres and a sparkling toast, and offer tips for cooking with the delicacy. The tour ends with a behind-the-scenes visit to the truffle lab to learn how to grade, clean, and store them. Fresh truffles dug up that day will be available for purchase.
This event is open to Dames and to the public.
Tickets are $100 per person. Attendance for each date is limited.
Location: Virginia Truffles, 11047 Settletown Place, Rixeyville, Virginia. (540) 937-9881
Register for January 19 here and January 31 here.
Green Kitchen Swap: Sunday, February 22nd, 10am–1pm
You’re invited to clean out your cupboards, resist consumerism, and find new treasures at a Green Kitchen Swap hosted by the DC Regional Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier and Poplar, in partnership with Teaism, DC Ecowomen, and Slow Food DC.
Where: Poplar, 701 Kennedy St NW, Washington, DC 20011
Tickets: $10 (We want this event to be accessible to all, so please use the promo code “FREESWAP” if you’re not in a position to pay right now.)
Whether you’re cleaning house for the new year, have forgotten gadgets piling up in your kitchen, or you’re trying a no-buy challenge, this event is a great way to declutter your space, avoid waste and overconsumption, and get things you need without spending money. Bring your unwanted kitchen supplies to give away and swap with others! All are welcome.
There will be tea and scones to enjoy as you mingle and browse. Representatives from the hosting organizations, as well as Reuse DC, Eat or Toss, and To Go Green, will be available throughout the event to chat about reuse, sustainability, how the local food system can be a force for good, and how to get involved with any of our organizations. If you have any questions about what we recommend bringing, please email lani.furbank@gmail.com.
Culinary Diplomacy: Food as a Tool for Connection - February 25 at 7 PM
We know that food and hospitality bring people together, creating shared experiences that strengthen relationships, but what exactly is culinary diplomacy? How can it help bridge differences between countries, cultures and even in our own communities?
Join our Zoom conversation with leaders in culinary diplomacy about their work, answers to these questions, and more. Featured: Dame Lauren Bernstein, founder and CEO of the Culinary Diplomacy Project; Dame Micheline Mendelsohn, CEO of the Sunnyside Restaurant Group; and chef-restaurateur Art Smith.
Open to the public; registration required.
Zoom link will be emailed to registrants the day before the event.
Free; we welcome $5 or $10 donations, which will go toward supporting our chapters’ grants, scholarships, and operations. Questions? Contact benwick.bonnies@gmail.com
Please Underestimate Me! Carla Hall’s World Premiere Show. June 26 & July 9 at 7:30pm
Award-winning chef, best-selling author, and beloved TV personality, Carla Hall, is at the top of her game. But getting there was no picnic. In this theatrical one-woman show, Carla Hall invites you to “strap in” for a wild, hilarious, and emotional ride as she reveals how she learned to embrace her own authenticity, “work her quirk” and finally step into her power. From her Tennessee roots as an awkward theater camp kid, to Howard University, to a stint on the runways of Paris, to her irreverent takes on the confusing expectations of Black excellence, crushing sexism, and the many attempts to erase her uniqueness, Carla has had to battle every step of the way to find her true voice -- and wait till you hear it. In this insightful and inspiring World Premiere, Carla reveals the secret ingredients to her greatest creation: herself. This intimate exchange will leave audiences laughing, thinking, feeling and… maybe even discovering a little of their own power in simply being themselves.
Tickets to this event through Les Dames DC Regional Chapter will be offered on two dates: Friday, June 26 at 7:30 pm and Thursday, July 9 at 7:30 pm
Tickets: $72, a portion of which supports our mission to support women in food, beverage, and hospitality through scholarships, grants, mentorship and educational programming.
*** There will be a Meet & Greet with Carla following the June 26 performance. Tickets: $92; light refreshments included
Location: Olney Theatre Center, 2001 Olney Sandy Spring Road, Olney, Maryland 20832. Tel. 301-924-3400
Past Events:
Sip With Intention: A Dry January Experience. Wednesday, January 21 - 4:30pm
Join us for an evening of mindful mixology, meaningful conversation, light fare, and elevated zero-proof beverages in celebration of intentional wellness to start the new year, in partnership with Lyre’s Spirit Co.
Location: The National Press Club (529 14th Street NW, 13th Floor, Washington, DC 20045)
4:30pm to 5pm: Reception and Networking - Enjoy conversation and community with non-alcoholic sparkling refreshments and light fare.
5pm to 5:45pm: Lyre's Cocktail Demonstration - Learn how to craft a sophisticated zero-proof Espresso Martini during a live, hands-on demonstration, led by Lyre's Lauren Dickerson, using Santa Lucia Coffee from Dame Jodi Lehr.
5:45pm to 6:15pm: Fireside Chat with Lyre's Lauren Dickerson - A conversation on the growth of the zero-proof movement, the evolution of mindful drinking, and the future of non-alcoholic spirits.
6:15pm to 6:30pm: Audience Q&A - A brief open-floor session for questions.
Tickets are $25 for Les Dames members and $30 for the general public (nonmembers). Ticket sales will end at noon on January 16th. Refund requests will be accepted until then as well.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will go directly to supporting the mission and programs of Les Dames d’Escoffier.
Holiday Tips & Tricks Zoom - Wednesday, November 12:
We’ve lined up a fantastic group who will share quick, creative tips to help you elevate, and show off, your celebrations this year. Featured presenters:
Susan Barocas: Explore the rich tradition and delicious significance of oil in Hanukkah celebrations.
Bonnie Eberly: Discover the best wines to bring to your holiday gatherings and how to pair them perfectly.
Alina Gorban: Learn simple tricks for capturing beautiful photos of your holiday tablescapes and dishes.
Takeema Johnson: Enjoy a recipe demonstration filled with tips for cooking for guests with food allergies or aversions.
Cary Kelly: Take your holiday bread baking to the next level with creative ideas and expert techniques.
Kisha Washington: Create stunning holiday tablescapes with thoughtful details, seasonal textures, and a touch of magic.
Shani Whisonant: Celebrate the season with a favorite holiday baking recipe to warm the heart and home.
This casual session is perfect for gathering new ideas and connecting with fellow Dames. Whether you’re hosting, contributing a dish, or looking for creative inspiration, there’s something here for everyone. We hope to see you there!
Green Kitchen Swap, February 2025
By all accounts, this February 22 event–hosted by our chapter’s Green Tables Committee and Teaism, in partnership with DC Ecowomen and Slow Food DC–was a resounding success. At the sold-out gathering, attendees brought unwanted kitchen supplies to give away and swap with others–to reduce waste and overconsumption, build community, and support neighbors in need. “Guests shared so much positive feedback, and the enthusiasm was also evident from the smiles and excitement throughout the day,” noted Green Tables Committee Chair and Recording Secretary Lani Furbank.