Dear Sister Dames,
I'm keeping my letter short in this issue so I can focus on one theme - COMMUNICATION. With a chapter as large as ours, it's hard for the board to know if you are receiving all the information you need in a timely fashion and via the best medium. So, during the next couple of weeks, you'll receive a very important email poll to help us determine the value of the content and frequency of our newsletter, Entre News. We need your input to help guide us on whether or not we change the e-newsletter to monthly or keep it bi-monthly. We know from our open rate of 55 - 62% that we are doing something right, so thank you! We also want to know if our listserv is useful and what guidelines should be put in place to make it more compatible with your needs. And finally, we want your feedback about our email blasts of immediate need-to-know information that either just missed inclusion in Entre News or can't wait for the next edition.
Please look for this email in your inbox in the next couple of weeks and please open it and take the poll. Your opinion is very important to us.
Should you have a chapter question, concern or idea, please shoot me an email at president@lesdamesdc.org or give me a call (410) 212-2224.
Stacey Adams
President Washington, DC Chapter, Les Dames d'Escoffier International |
|
We extend our deepest sympathies to Jessica Botta who lost her beloved mother, Mary Ann Botta, 73, on December 29 from triple negative metastatic breast cancer. She had been in remission for three years. Jessica and her sister await news from Arlington National Cemetery for a date when their mom can be buried alongside her husband, Joseph.
|
|
If you are organizing a seminar for the March 28 Symposium, please note that there are a couple of approaching deadlines for information required for the program and the conference center AV staff:
Past due January 15: For your session to be included in the program book, we need a 75-word paragraph description of the session topic and a 50-word bio for each moderator and panelist.
Due February 3: We need a list of your A/V requirements, supplies, volunteer needs, signage, etc. Please send to Janna Howley, janna.howley@gmail.com.
|
|
Johanna Mendelson Forman will lecture at Tshingua University in Beijing to the Schwarzman Fellows in February on Culinary Diplomacy and Social Gastronomy. Then she will join Venezuelan chef and Chopped winner Adriana Urbina who is now based in New York on a State Department visit to Peru to promote women entrepreneurs in the food space in Peru. Amy Riolo just released her first, private label EVOO- a blend from the Abruzzo region of Italy. Trappeto di Caprafico, the award-winning estate where the oil is made, is one of the most popular stops on her
Heart of Italy and Grape and Truffle Cuisine and Culture tours.
|
|
Dames gathered to tour Savor, Prince George's County's first artisanal culinary food hall in Brentwood, Maryland, located in the heart of the Gateway Arts District. Open since October, 2019, Savor serves as a launching pad for start-up food industry entrepreneurs (restaurant, catering, food preparation, coffee, and more) and was designed as a space for the community to eat, meet and socialize. It features local chefs, an indoor farmers market, an artisan's market and a commercial kitchen for emerging food artists to rent and a "pop up" catering area. Savor is the first African American-operated food hall in the state of Maryland and the second in the U.S. It is the brainchild of business attorney and food entrepreneur April N. Richardson Esq. and Peter Siegel, a socially conscious developer who partnered to bring this exciting opportunity to Prince George's County. Peter Siegel is also the husband of Karen Lippold who arranged the tour. 
Clockwise from left: Erinn Tucker, Carole Sugarman, Karen Lippold, Sara Ducey, Susan Callahan, Janis McLean, Drew Faulkner, Lori Gardner
Another fun Winter Potluck was held at
Linda Roth's beautiful home in Arlington. (Thank you, Linda, and charming husband, Jonathan, for hosting, yet again.). Yes. The food and drink was delicious. The conversations were lively and interesting. And we all looked smashing. It is always a special occasion when we have a chance to see each other in an informal setting and catch up. What a terrific group of women this is! 
Katherine Tallmadge and Amy Riolo
Left to right: Claudia Kousoulas, Stacey Adams, Edee Hogan, Celeste McCall Left to right: Bev Bates Coakley, Janet Cam, Laurie Bell, and Vickie Reh Left to right: Gladys Abi-Najm, Olga Boikess, and Jodi Lehr Left to right: Julia Rutland and Kimberly Lipinski
 Left to right: Linda Roth and Deb Lindsey Photos courtesy of Susan Callahan
|
|
Here's a great chance to clear away your duplicate or unused cookbooks, kitchenware, table linens and accessories. DC Dames will once again stage its ever-popular Cookbook Jumble and Culinary Garage Sale during our biennial Women in Gastronomy Symposium's EXPO on March 28. We are a 501c3 organization, so your donations can qualify for tax deductions.
Click here for guidelines on how to claim a deduction for donated items.
HOW TO DONATE ITEMS: Please bring your donations in boxes or bags for easy transport.
COOKBOOKS:
Contact Cookbook Jumble Chair Susan Delbert,sdelbert@press.org, at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street, NW, (13th floor) in downtown DC, to drop COOKBOOKS off--or you can drop them at her home in Silver Spring (Off University Blvd, north of the Beltway) if that is more convenient. Susan will give location details when/if you phone (202) 486-4850). The NPC is at the corner of 14th and F streets, about two blocks from the White House. If you would like to phone ahead, chef office is (202) 662-7514.
KITCHENWARE and EQUIPMENT, TABLE LINENS: Contact Culinary Garage Sale Chair Katherine Newell Smith, kns4pr@erols.com, with "culinary garage sale" in the subject line, or call (703) 475-1833, and let her know WHEN and WHAT items you plan to donate, estimated value (we will use Salvation Army Valuation as a pricing guide. Katherine's home is in Bethesda, 5525 Devon Road (just off Bradley Blvd) where it will be stored in her basement. We will arrange to e-mail you a thank you receipt letter on our letterhead for your tax purposes once we receive your items.
|
|
As you may know, each year, LDEI members and chapters, in partnership with the Julia Child Foundation, offer Legacy Awards. These are exciting, expense-paid week-long workplace experiences in the United States and Mexico, open to non-Dames (but, perhaps future Dames). If you know of a promising woman who might be a good candidate for this award, send them this link for the details and to apply. This year's awards are:
- Austin, Texas FOOD PRODUCTION/SUPPLY CHAIN AWARD, Quality Seafood
- Chicago, Illinois JOURNALISM AWARD, Plate Magazine and Winsight Media
- Livermore, California WINE AWARD, Wente Family Estates
- Guadalajara and Tequila, Mexico FINE SPIRITS AWARD, José Cuervo
- New Orleans, Louisiana CULINARY AWARD, Compère Lapin
- Sacramento and Davis, California AGRICULTURE AWARD, Sacramento Chapter LDEI
|
|
PROGRAMS
GUIDED TOUR OF PARK VIEW FARMERS MARKET AT RED HOOK HALL - DAMES ONLY
Join us for a special tour of this year-round Sunday market which opened January 12 and is a first for this neighborhood. It connects local farmers, growers and producers to local consumers in the Park View, Petworth, Columbia Heights and surrounding communities.
Park View Farmers Market features the largest meat and seafood counter in Northwest DC and will grow to more than 30 vendors who represent some of the best farmers, growers and producers in the region. Vendors have been carefully curated for the dedication they demonstrate in connecting people to healthier food.
Market products will include fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, eggs, honey, bread, pastries, and plant and meat-based prepared foods. The venue at Hook Hall is one of the finest in the city and the perfect backdrop for a farmers market. With beautiful covered outdoor space, grand indoor space and a full-service bar, it truly is a community gathering spot.
DATE: Sunday, February 9
TIME: Between 9:00 a.m.and 2:00 p.m. More detailed info to come regarding meeting time and spot.
PLACE: Park View Farmers Market at Red Hook Hall, 3400 Georgia Avenue NW.
RSVP: More information to come soon.
CIRCUMNAVIGATING SPAIN AND ITS REGIONAL FOODS - PUBLIC PROGRAM
Stacey Adams and CiCi Williamson will take you 2,000 miles around Spain and visit the top sites in Madrid, Toledo, Vitoria, Bilbao, San Sebastian, Pamplona, Barcelona, Valencia, Granada (Al Hambra), the Costa del Sol (Malaga) Seville, and Cordoba (Mosque of the Caliphs). The talk, illustrated by beautiful photos taken by the speakers, will be accompanied by tastes of regional foods from the Basque country in the north to the southern Moorish Andalusia and to eastern provincial Catalonia. Also, you will learn about the British overseas territory of Gibraltar that abuts southern Spain. Stacey Adams is the president of the Washington, D.C. Chapter. She is president and culinary director of Tastings Gourmet Market in Annapolis, which she founded in 2006. CiCi Williamson is a longtime food and travel writer. She is a past president of both the Les Dames d'Escoffier Washington, D.C., Chapter and of Les Dames d'Escoffier International.
DATE: Saturday, March 7, 2020
PLACE: Jaleo Crystal City, 2250-A Crystal Drive at 23rd St., Arlington, VA 22202, www.jaleo.com
TIME: 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
PRICE: (Includes menu below). $35 for Members of Les Dames; $45 for non-members; Alcoholic and soft drinks for separate purchase.
RESERVATIONS: Information coming soon. www.lesdamesdc.org.Reservation or cancellation deadline is Monday, March 2
PARKING: Free at Crystal City Parking Garage, where 23rd St. dead ends at Crystal Drive
METRO: Crystal City (Blue, Orange)
MENU (Each dish served to every diner)
FIRST COURSE (3)
Endibias con queso de cabra y naranjas
Endives with goat cheese, oranges and almonds
Pan con tomate
Toasted slices of rustic bread brushed with fresh tomato
Patatas bravas
A Jaleo favorite of potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and alioli
SECOND COURSE (4)
Gambas al ajillo
The very, very famous tapa of shrimp sautéed with garlic and brava sauce
Espinacas a la catalane
Sautéed spinach, pine nuts, raisins and apples
Chorizo a la sidra con puré de patatas al aceite de oliva
Homemade traditional chorizo with olive oil mashed potatoes
and cider sauce
Croquetas de pollo
Traditional chicken fritters
DESSERT (2)
Flan al estilo de mama Marisa con espuma de crema catalana
A classic Spanish custard dessert with "espuma" of Catalan cream and oranges
Pan con chocolate
Chocolate flan with caramelized bread, olive oil and brioche ice cream
|
|
We are looking for a Dame to assist with our social media as part of the Communications committee. She will post on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter promoting our events, give shout outs for Dame "sightings" at non-Dame events and post photos taken at our and non-Dame events. This volunteer will work with Vice President of Communications Jill Collins. Please contact Jill if you are interested in doing this important job.
|
|
As a member of LDEI, you have made a commitment to support women in the culinary industry. Your membership provides a unique opportunity to do so and offers you a platform to interact with other leaders who share your passion.
One way to facilitate our mission is through the chapter's online directory on Wild Apricot. There you can identify your professional affiliation and your areas of expertise. We ask that you take a moment to log in and enter your information along with a current photo. We will use this platform for networking, member engagement, and logistics, such as event registration. It is a time for New Year's resolutions; so, we hope that one of yours will be to make the most of your LDE-DC membership.
We are seeking 100% participation, so don't delay!
If this is your first time to log in, please use this link to reset your password.
An email will be sent to you to reset your password. Once you've logged in, you will be prompted to accept the terms and conditions. Then, you can go into your profile and update and verify your contact information. Your profile includes many areas like social links, profession, photo, etc. Only members can view your profile information.
If you have any questions about Wild Apricot, please email admin@lesdamesdc.org
|
|
Friday, January 31st, 2020, Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20004. DMV Black Restaurant Week's 1st Annual Awards and Scholarships Gala. In partnership with the Washington Informer Charities, Inc. and Solid Rock Creative Food Group, the gala celebrates the legacy and influence of D.C.-area chefs and hospitality professionals who laid the foundation and shaped the industry in a broad and meaningful way. It is a celebration of cuisine from the African Diaspora and the launch of Black (Food) History Month. Awards will be given on this night and we are pleased to announce that scholarships will be provided to students graduating from the culinary programs at Anacostia, Ballou, and Roosevelt High Schools in Washington, D.C. and Prince George's Community College in Largo, Maryland. With curation led by author, host, and celebrity Executive Chef Rahman "Rock" Harper, a three-course dinner will be served featuring foods from the African Diaspora. Recipes honoring the past and the present are bound to delight everyone's palate. Click here for tickets.
|
|
Entre News is our LDE-DC chapter e-newsletter. It is published on the first and third Wednesday of each month. It is on hiatus during the month of August. 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 eneditor@lesdamesdc.org in a succinct 75 words of less.
DAMES CORNER is a brief feature to help us get to know our sister Dames a bit better. We will randomly choose Dames to profile who have differing professional backgrounds so the coverage is more interesting.
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. Its function is not to promote products, cooking classes, culinary trips, etc., rather to alert members to public programs that might be of professional interest, especially if Dames are featured. We request OF INTEREST entries to be no longer than 150 words. Less is always better.
JOB OPPS can open Dames networks to employment opportunities.
Thank you for you continued interest and participation.
Katherine Newell Smith
Founding Editor, Entre News
|
|
|
Social Media Connections
Connect with Sister Dames
 LesDamesDC
 @LesDamesDC
 | | @LesDamesDC |
We need ALL members who have FB, Twitter and Instagram accounts to follow and actively re-tweet our members' tweets to spread the great news about our activities and programs!
Connect with Les Dames d'Escoffier International
Please share news, events and updates. Join the LDEI members-only LinkedIn Group to stay connected with other Dames.
| |
Join a Committee....
You were invited to join Dames because of your talents and achievements and you promised to be part of our chapter's committee work; so, now it is time to
Get Involved!
Our committees offer the perfect opportunity to get to know your sister Dames, share your skills and to give back to the community through service. Every committee needs dedicated participants. Please contact the committee chairs and offer your time and skills, now.
2019-2020 Committee Chairs
Membership - Dames Who Dine:
Karen Lippold
dameswhodine@lesdamesdc.org
Membership - Engagement:
Carole Sugarman
Women in Gastronomy:
Laurie Bell
Eileen Dykes
Grants:
Jessica Botta
Scholarships:
Nona Nielsen-Parker
Green Tables:
Karen Vartan
Edee Hogan
Global Culinary Initiatives:
Amy Riolo
Public Relations:
Jill Collins
Development:
Annie Boutin King
| |
|
2019-2020
Julia Rutland
Financial Officer
Drew Faulkner
Communications Officer
Jill Collins
Directors
Olga Boikess
(Programs)
Karen Lippold
(Dames Who Dine)
Diane Neas
(Parliamentarian)
Karen Vartan
(Green Tables)
Alternate:
Carole Sugarman
(Member Engagement)
Janet Yu
(Past President)
| |
|
To view the latest approved board meeting minutes, go to www.lesdamesdc.org and
click on the Members Only tab and enter the password. Click on the dropdown menu for LDE-DC Board and you will see a link to the board meeting minutes. During each monthly board meeting, the board approves the previous month's minutes and they are then posted to our website.
|
|
It is easy to find chapter documents and resources, our event archives and past editions of Entre News.
We now have a single password that all Dames must use to access the Members Only section of the website. The password is ldedc2014. Please do not share this password with anyone outside of the Chapter. We are revising the members only section but the password remains as above.
If you are having trouble logging into the website please contact our Communications Officer at communications@lesdamesdc.org
Under Member Login, you will see a revised menu where you can find:
- past and current Entre News issues posted under the Entre News Archives tab.
- archives of past chapter activities in the LDE-DC Dame Only Events menu along with upcoming events.
- helpful files including chapter letterhead, name tag template, LDEI logos and tax-exempt certificates under Documents and Forms.
- our chapter's standing rules, bylaws and membership roster under Bylaws, Roster & Minutes.
- A roster of Dames that can be printed out.
|
LDEI Quarterly Deadlines:
The deadline for sending in Member Milestones and Chapter News for the SPRING issue of the LDEI Quarterly is APRIL 10. Our archived Quarterly magazines are available online. If you are not receiving hard copies of Quarterly, please check your online contact information at www.ldei.org If it is correct, please contact Greg Jewell info@ldei.org to make sure you are on the mailing list.
Quarterly Guidelines:
Photography/Images-Electronic images must be properly focused, in color with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi (TIFF or JPEG). Cell phone photos are acceptable if they meet resolution requirements. Do not send photos taken off the internet or embedded with text in Word files or PDF files. Identify individuals in photos from left to right in the message of your email. Include photo credits, if required. CAPTIONS ARE REQUIRED FOR PUBLICATION.
Member Milestones - Edited by Dorothy Koteski (Phil)
Share your professional news with Dames in all chapters in our LDEI Quarterly. Shout, don't whisper, about your accomplishments. We all want a chance to say "Brava!"
Submit Member Milestones by filling out the interactive form at: http://link.ldei.org/ldei-member-milestones. Any field marked with an asterisk (*) is required. Note that some forms have character limits due to space constraints. To submit a photo, reply "Yes" to "Would you like to submit a high resolution quality image?" Then click "Next". You will be taken to a second page where you can upload your images.
Be sure to click the SUBMIT button to upload your responses. You will receive an email confirmation that your submission was received. Press releases and cookbook covers are not accepted. Entries received after the deadline may appear in a following issue.
Please know that you can also email your information, if you prefer. The email addresses listed under the Submission Guidelines will always be active and will forward to the correct person.
Submit Chapter News by filling out the interactive form at: http://link.ldei.org/ldei-chapter-programs.To submit a photo, reply "Yes" to "Would you like to submit a high resolution quality image?" Then click "Next". You will be taken to a second page where you can upload your images. Be sure to click the SUBMIT button to upload your responses. You will receive an email confirmation that your submission was received.
|
|
|
