WELCOME VISITING IACP DAMES

Join us on Saturday, March 28, 5:30 to 7:00 pm. Marriot Renaissance Hotel during the IACP annual conference for a reception to welcome visiting Dames. Ask at the front desk for Drew Faulkner's suite. We expect between 40 and 50 guests. LDEI secretary Sharon Olson is also inviting prospective Dames who might be interested in starting a North Carolina chapter. Susan James is donating cheeses and we are open to other food and wine donations. Contact Drew Faulkner to help: [email protected]

The nomination period for LDE-DC chapter officers and directors for 2015-16 is open until this Sunday, March 15. You should have the full descriptions of our board positions, requirements and responsibilities as defined in our chapter bylaws and standing rules.  You still have time to nominate Dames who possess leadership qualities to represent our membership and who will work to achieve our chapter's goals in the coming year.  Remember, you may nominate any chapter member in good standing or you may nominate yourself.  

We had a lovely reception on Tuesday, March 10 at the home of Barbara Black to meet prospective new members for our chapter. As usual, delicious wine and food flowed. Thank you Barbara.  Of the 16 nominees, nine were able to attend the reception and made compelling presentations about their work and why they wish to be members. See their bios below.

ATTN MENTORS: For those of you who have nominated prospective new members, please remind your nominees that:

• Completed applications and the $25 processing fee are due by March 15, 2015.

• The committee will submit its recommendations to the board in early April.

• The board will approve candidates during the April board meeting.

• The new members will be notified of their acceptance by April 21, 2015.  

• Our new members will be invited to attend the Spring General Membership Meeting where they will be introduced to the full membership.

• All sponsors and candidates will receive reminders about the process and deadlines via email.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Claire Gill,  at 917.327.7916 or [email protected].

Prospective New Members

 Bette Alberts (Sponsor: Carol Cutler)

Bette worked for a number of years as a private wine consultant helping people set up diversified wine cellars. She was also Food and Wine Editor for Dossier magazine. She is currently Madame le Maitre for the Washington chapter of the Commanderie de Bordeaux, the first woman to hold that position among all the chapters throughout the United States.  In this position she oversees a wine cellar worth over three-quarters of a million dollars.

Susan Barocas (Sponsor: Sheilah Kaufman)

Susan was previously Joan Nathan's assistant, helping with cookbook editing and testing, scheduling, book and speaking promotions, among other duties. Susan also served as associate producer of Joan's television series, Jewish Cooking in America. In 2012, Susan was hired by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington to start an innovative new program called the Jewish Food Experience (JFE). She writes for jewishfoodexperience.com, does media appearances, and speaking engagements for the project. She presents food programs at various venues--talks, demonstrations, and cooking classes around the metro area. She writes about food and film for DC Outlook, caters, and consults on food and events. Recently, she helped plan the new Art of Jewish Food Festival at the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia. 

Laurie Bell (Sponsors: Cici Williams, Ris Lacoste and Nancy Baggett)

A certified Tea Specialist from the Specialty Tea Institute, Chef and Educator Laurie Bell is owner of Great Falls Tea Garden. She has a culinary career spanning over thirty years. She lived in France for four years where she earned a tr�s bien Grand Dipl�me from the famed Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. In 1983, Chef Bell founded the culinary program � La Belle Cuisine serving Washington, D.C. and its suburbs. She taught cooking classes that focused on French technique in both participation and demonstration formats, and gradually developed a catering business that, by 1987, had become a full-time enterprise. Chef Bell designed and built her own commercial catering kitchen in 1991 and served as owner and executive chef until she sold the successful business in 2001. She has been cooking with and studying about tea for many years, and attends tea industry seminars and conferences on a regular basis.

Cathy Branciaroli (Sponsor: Cathy Barrow)

Cathy's food career began as communications manager for DuPont, a company providing packaging materials to consumer brand companies. In that role, she had a leadership position in a number of industry initiatives, including assessing consumers' future needs for prepared foods and addressing the global issue of food waste and food security. She embarked on her second career as a food writer a few years ago. After working with Molly O'Neill, Cathy began writing for Meredith publications and American Food Roots. Cathy is currently a food writer and food correspondent for a small newspaper chain near her home. Her website, Delaware Girl Eats, took honors at last year's National Federation of Presswomen's competition. Before becoming a food writer, Cathy was Cathy writes about food traditions and is especially focused on her own Abruzzian family background and the recipes from that region.

Lisa Comento (Sponsor: Amy RIolo)

Lisa is a passionate wine, food, travel and social media expert. As an event planner, social media strategist, and wine expert she has helped to brand many food and wine companies and initiatives. She is an advocate of sustainable foodways, cooking well and eating wisely. Lisa has worked diligently to increase the online presence of various epicurean activities. She is also a founder of #PushPlayEat! - http://pushplayeat.com.

Susan Delbert (Sponsor: Sheilah Kaufman)

Susan is currently executive chef at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. As such, she is responsible for two restaurants: The Fourth Estate, fine dining, open to the public; and The Reliable Source, a bar and grill for Press Club members. Susan's culinary career spans more than three decades. She has held executive chef, sous chef and Chef de Cuisine positions at some of Washington's restaurant institutions, including Old Ebbitt Grill, BeDuCi, The Third Edition, and The Oval Room. Prior to that Susan was a wine writer and tax attorney. Susan is also a member of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs.

Jennifer Farley (Sponsor: Monica Bhide)

Jennifer is the creator, recipe developer and photographer for Savory Simple, a blog dedicated to gourmet, simple, beautiful food and quality ingredients. In 2010, Jennifer graduated from the Culinary Arts program at L'Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, MD. She has worked professionally as a line cook, pastry chef and cooking instructor. Her work has been featured by Williams-Sonoma, Bon Appetit, Food52, The Kitchen, the Huffington Post, and Food & Wine. Her first cookbook with Simon & Shuster will be released in 2016.

April Fulton (Sponsors: Amy Riolo and Monica Bhide)

April is an award-winning food blogger, food editor and writer. She has dedicated her career to sharing the latest food news through her blogs and columns. She has written and edited food and health content for prominent publications for several years, including The Washington Post, NPR.org, Capitol File Magazine, US Airways Magazine, Washington Business Journal, Bethesda Magazine and DCist.com. She founded NPR's food blog, The Salt, to explore why we eat what we eat.

Laura Hayes (Sponsor: Linda Roth)

Laura Hayes is a freelance food writer and photographer in Washington, DC. She regularly contributes to Thrillist, the Washington Post Express, Washington City Paper, EdibleDC and Arlington Magazine. She is also the dining editor of Dining Bisnow. In March 2013, Laura founded Best Thing on the Menu (www.BestThingontheMenu.com), which as been nominated as Best DC Food Blog. She continues to serve as its publisher. Laura previously served as senior communications manager at the U.S.-Japan Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening U.S.-Japan relations through building people-to-people connections. From June 2008 to February 2010, Laura taught English in Fukuoka-Ken, Japan.

Alisia Kleinmann (Sponsors: Susan Callahan and Polly Wiedmaier)

Alisia is currently events coordinator for Matchbox Food Group. Previously she was owner, personal chef and caterer at Golden Delicious, LLC, serving high-end clients. After spending years working in and around the restaurant industry, Alisia founded Industree, an event-based hospitality organization for local food and beverage entrepreneurs.

Manelle Martino (Sponsors: Ann Stratte and Carla Hall)

Manelle is a graduate of Columbia University, a former advertising and sales associate for top media companies including DoubleClick, an accomplished singer, and a fifth-generation fine tea merchant. The daughter of successful immigrants from Sri Lanka (her Mom) and the Dominican Republic (her Dad), Manelle traces her family lineage in the tea trade back to the 1870s when her great-great grandfather, Francis Van Reyk, emigrated to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) to oversee one of the first major tea estates. In 2007, Manelle co-founded Capital Teas with her husband Peter. As Chairman of the company, she guides the strategic direction to imbue her family's 5-generation family tradition of excellence in the tea trade. Her combined Sri Lankan family tradition and Hispanic heritage touch everything from product selection and packaging to music selection in the stores to community involvement and outreach. Manelle lives in Annapolis, Maryland with her husband and their four children, and serves on the Boards of Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts and Historic Annapolis.

Michelle Miller (Sponsors: Carol Cultler and Joan Nathan)

Established in 1984 in Winchester, VA, Panache Catering Company is the result of over 28 years of experience in the catering and restaurant world.  Chef Michelle Miller specializes in imaginative cuisine using the freshest ingredients, exciting culinary combinations, fresh herbs from our greenhouse, edible flowers and gorgeous presentations. Michelle's cuisine reflects her knowledge of the classics and expands on them to deliver wonderfully exciting new dishes and creative ideas for your special event. Michelle attended L'Academie de Cuisine and received a full scholarship to The Cordon Bleu in London. She previously served as Sous chef for Mario Batali of "Molto Mario and Mario Eats Italy," a Saut� Cook at the Inn at Little Washington and Sous chef of Ala Carte Catering.

Alison Rittenberg Ricketts (Sponsor: Ann Stratte)

Alison is a 7-year hospitality industry professional, with a passion for food and the DC restaurant scene.  As a Convention Sales Manager for Destination DC, the Convention bureau for Washington, DC, Alison is tasked with bringing mini-wide and citywide business to the DC Convention Center and the largest hotels in the city, with a focus on Association business out of the East Coast.  In her previous sales role with Destination DC, she worked with the board to find a home for LDEI's 2016 meeting at the Fairmont Washington, DC.  Alison is an ambassador for Washington, DC with a deep passion for the City, its hotel community and exciting restaurant scene.  In her free time, Alison enjoys cooking, Bar Method, and traveling.  Alison resides in the Logan Circle neighborhood with her husband, Sam.

Jodie Steiner (Sponsor: Vickie Reh)

Jodie is chef/owner of Plenty Personal Chef Services in Takoma Park, MD. She has a broad range of experience with varied aspects of food production, education and service. She has worked passionately for the cause of local food security, educating low-income communities about healthy eating habits. Previously, Jodie held culinary positions at several wonderful restaurants including Buck's Fishing and Camping, Mary Jo's Cuisine, Everest Restaurant and Charlie Trotters in Chicago. She also served as Anacostia Farmers Market Coordinator for Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) in D.C. In 1994, Jodie was awarded an IACP scholarship to attend a continuing education program at the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park, NY.

Terry Tretter (Sponsor: Sheilah Kaufman)

Terry is a recipe tester; event planner and a talented commercial real estate agent helping clients choose restaurant locations. She has served as sous chef for Sheilah Kaufman and Paula Jacobson, a volunteer recipe tester for The Washington Post, and recipe tester for cookbook author Jamie Geller. Terry has volunteered at several Les Dames events and she is a member of IACP, La Chaine Des Rotisseurs, and CHoW, among others.

Allison Trinkle (Sponsor: Stacey Adams)

Allison is currently Regional Chef Higher Education - Mid-Atlantic at Compass Group North America in Annapolis, MD. Previously, she was Campus Executive Chef UMBC Chartwells (Higher Education Division) and served as executive chef at Johns Hopkins University, and Loew's Hotel Annapolis. She is a member of the American Culinary Federation and the National Chapter of Slow Food DC and Baltimore. 

ENTRE NEWS is published on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Deadline for HURRAH! and other news is the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Please send a BRIEF paragraph with your professional and personal news that you would like your sister Dames to know about in HURRAH!

HURRAH! is not meant as an advertising opportunity for a cooking class or event, rather it offers a shout out to members for recent accomplishments and honors.   Please submit your HURRAH to [email protected] in a succinct 75 words of less.

OF INTEREST offers Dames a chance to let their sister chapter members know about events they are involved in that might be of interest to a majority of the membership. OF INTEREST entries can be NO LONGER than 75 words. Less is always better.

JOB OPPS can open Dames networks to employment opportunities.

Send information to EN Editor Katherine Newell Smith [email protected]  

Thank you for you continued interest and participation.

Katherine Newell Smith

Editor, Entre News