Les Dames d’Escoffier

Chicago Chapter

Executive Committee:
President: Jennifer Lamplough
Vice President: Susan Parenti
Secretary: Cheryl Corrado
Treasurer: Linda Avery
Past President: Sharon Olson

Board of Directors:
Veronica Hastings
Judith Dunbar Hines
Shannon Kinsella
Catherine Koelling
Mary Reidy-McMahon
Tami Mizrahi
Jean True
Candace Warner

Appointed Positions:
Joan Reardon, Newsletter Editor

Number of Chapter Members: 104

Membership
Fourteen new members were inducted into the Chicago chapter on 2012. This is more new members than any year since our inaugural year in 1982. The membership process is continuously reviewed and enhanced to assure that members understand how to identify, coach and facilitate potential new members’ applications. The goal is to assure that applications comply with all requirements and that new members understand the responsibilities and expectations of membership. A new member orientation event was held at a member’s home. New members from the past two year’s inductions, the board and committee chairs attended and shared all the organization has to offer.

Fundraising
Our chapter held its first Culinary Garage Sale at NAHA in November, where members donated their culinary treasures, bakery masterpieces and time to deliver this unique experience. Contributions and proceeds were shared with the Green City Market. Our chapter netted $6,588 at the time of the sale and received another $1,875 from the auction of an experiential package donated by Chef Charlie Trotter that was auctioned at a Green City Market event in April.

The chapter hosted its large fundraiser, a Culinary Insiders Weekend the weekend of September 7th 2012. There were special events throughout the city orchestrated and hosted by Chicago chapter members. The celebration included members of the Chicago Chapter, the Chicago culinary community, consumer food enthusiasts throughout the Midwest and Les Dames Chapters throughout the country. Chicago media outreach and culinary school participation were integral to the success of the event which raised over $25,000.

To support our fund raising efforts, a new brochure about our chapter and the difference we make in our community was developed this year.

Philanthropy
Scholarships were awarded to culinary students in local culinary programs totaling $30,000. Award recipients were enrolled in programs at Kendall College, Le Cordon Bleu, Robert Morris University, Triton College and Washburne Culinary Institute. The scholarship program was expanded to include suburban culinary schools this year.
The Chicago chapter provided $6,600 to support the Nutrition Literacy Program at the McCormick Boys and Girls Club as the program begins transitioning to funding from other sources. Members reached out to individual resources to begin this transition and continued to support the garden with a field trip and volunteer work in the garden and through classes.

The Mentorship Program was continued to build trust through communication, educate by sharing experiences, and inspire each student to reach their full potential. The program was designed to add value to scholarship giving, build membership, and fulfill our mission of education, advocacy and philanthropy. The program includes personalized mentoring, culinary tours of member businesses, guest invitations to appropriate Les Dames events and participation in the chapter’s nutrition literacy program. All scholarship recipients from 2012 were paired with Les Dames mentors.

2011-2012 Programs and Events
2012 marked the 30th anniversary of the Chicago Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. A plan was created to use this occasion to build awareness for the difference our educational and philanthropic efforts make within our community, and to raise funds to continue those efforts.

The 2012 annual meeting at the Ritz-Carlton was a celebration of this important anniversary for our members. The event will be covered in the Les Dames d’Escoffier International magazine.

Other educational and networking events included dinners and garden parties during the summer. Notable among our programs thus far:

• Ari Weinzweig from Zingerman’s presented his business strategies at a program at Ina’s

• The chapter hosted a toast to Julia Child’s 100th Birthday Party on August 15

• Culinary Insiders Weekend fundraiser that featured a La Grande Fete celebrating Julia Child and Joan Reardon

• Summer evening picnic at Ravinia with cocktails at Karen Levin’s Home