2013 Annual Meeting & Dinner

2013 New Members

The Racquet Club located in the Gold Coast Historic District with its wood paneled walls and timeless elegance was the setting for the 31st Les Dames d’Escoffier Annual Meeting and Dinner. Happy voices greeting new and old friends, accompanied delicious hors d’oeuves and wine in the club’s handsome foyer.

The business meeting followed led by President Jennifer Lamplough. Jennifer reviewed the year, introduced Linda Avery who gave the Treasurer’s Report, introduced JeanMarie Brownson, Nominating Chair, who presented the new board and Catherine Koelling, new member committee member, who introduced our eleven stellar new dame members.

A three-course dinner comprised of a pan seared scallop with quail egg, asparagus tips and chive oil appetizer, a lamb chop entrée  with roasted carrot risottoand a rhubarb basil tart with vanilla bean ice cream for dessert partnered with good wine and sparkling conversation, made for a most joyous evening. Attendance of 75 members was at an all-time high. A big thank you to program chair, Shannon Kinsella and Melissa Lehman, dame member and Racquet Club catering director! As President Jennifer Lamplough said in her inspiring toast, “We are awesome!”

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2013 Culinary Garage Sale & Cake Walk

The Les Dames Culinary Garage Sale and Cake Walk was a success in spite of the rain.

Per the first Garage sale we partnered with Green City Market and reaped the rewards of their social media and mailing list.  The sale was Saturday 6/15/13 and hosted by Kendall College.  There were additions to this years event:
  • Patrons participating in a Cake Walk for scholarship walked to the music of John Greenfield (guitar) and Rob Cruz(accordion)  choosing from 18 cakes donated by our members and friends.
  • An array of wonderful Food Trucks were present: Baby Cakes, Beaver Doughnuts, Chicago Tamale, Fat Shallot and Kaela Deichsel teas
  • A VIP hour was held from 10-11am for $75 entrance fee: Sparkling cocktails by Jo Snow and H2Vino, breakfast by Baby Cakes and Beaver Doughnuts, bags from the Green City Market were had by all.
  • A huge donation of restaurant ware was donated by Zepole Supply Company, creating an entire wall of plates and glasses for sale.
  • An authors table and a Dames Recipe ebook was created. http://www.saltyfig.com/main/book.html?ID=121&code=h76cq47n
  • Pick up of junk was offered, chaired by Portia, and placed in a POD staged at Kendall College or the week prior to the event.
  • We raised $4800.00
On behalf of Les Dames d’Escoffier Chicago we would like to thank you for the opportunity to create friendships and volunteer opportunities for our organization.We enjoyed the experience!
Cheers,
Portia, Melissa and Suzanne