by Julie Chernoff

Over 40 Dames made it to Dame Portia Belloc-Lowndes’ gorgeous apartment overlooking Michigan Avenue and a frosty Lake Michigan under a blanket of freshly fallen snow. Once inside, a plethora of delicious dishes culled from each member’s personal heritage was set out to share on the large dining room table, replete with built-in Lazy Susan. Our members proudly represented the recipes that mattered most to them — a remembrance of things past, and a toast to the future.

Dame Rebecca Wheeler made Malaysian meatballs, a dish that her grandma had learned in the Peace Corps and brought back to her family in the States. Dame Toria Emas brought a sweet little copper kettle of potent homemade Glögg, accompanied by spicy gingersnaps.

Dame Chandra Ram got back to her Kentucky roots with Cheddar-Bacon Biscuits with homemade Pimento Cheese, while Dame Mary Abbott Hess honored hers with flaky rugelach laden with raisins and cinnamon. Dame Dana Benigno warmed us all with her spin on an Italian classic: Vegetarian Lasagne.

Seriously, I think I put on at least five pounds that evening, especially with the fabulous beverages on hand, all poured freely. And that groaning board of desserts—especially the Chocolate Whoopie Pies, brought by one of our Scholarship winners? Amazing. It was truly an evening to remember.