A warm welcome to the 8 new LDEI Chicago members, 2 reinstated members and 1 new dual member. Read on to learn more about these accomplished women in food.
Author: lesdameschicago
Dame of Distinction: Nancy Brussat Barocci
At the Annual Meeting and Dinner, held at Found Kitchen & Social House on Monday, June 13, the Chicago Chapter of LDE recognized and celebrated the addition of our fifth Dame of Distinction, Nancy Brussat Barocci, only the fifth in our 34-year history. Nancy joins former recipients Elaine Sherman, Marion Tripp, Alma Lach, and Joan Reardon in this rarely bestowed honor, nominated and voted on by our group of Past Presidents, and awarded to a member of long-standing who has excelled in her profession and shown great dedication to the Chicago Chapter.
Nancy had some thoughts to share with us:
To the members of the Chicago Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier:
I am still getting over the shock and surprise of being presented with The Dame of Distinction award at our Annual Meeting this past Monday. I was totally surprised and extremely honored. The downside of being surprised is that I didn’t have time to collect my thoughts and express my gratitude to an organization that has played an extremely important role in my life since 1982.
First of all thank you to Julie Chernoff and all the Past Presidents for this recognition. A big thank you to Past Presidents and dear friends Nancy Harris and Barbara Glunz and to my daughter, friend and partner Candace Warner for their kind words.
To all you “seasoned” members and those of you who have taken an active role in this organization I don’t need to tell you the many benefits Les Dames can give you. I have not only treasured the friendships I have made over the years but also value the business networking associations that have come as a result of working on various projects together. How very proud I have felt when we have presented Les Dames’ scholarships to deserving students or participated in one of the many organizations we have supported and volunteered for since 1982.
All those benefits don’t come without putting in your time – so I encourage all of you new members to “jump in” – to participate. Saying you’re too busy in an organization like this doesn’t fly! The very definition of our organization – a group of professional women who are leaders in the field of food, beverage and hospitality – says busy right up front. I’m so happy that I somehow found the time to come to programs, serve on the board and participate in fundraisers. What I have received in return far outweighs the hours I have put in! Thanks you all from the bottom of my heart!
Sincerely,
Nancy Brussat Barocci
Culinarium: Feast for the Senses
Culinarium, the 2016 iteration of our bi-annual fundraiser, was held on Monday, May 16 at Venue One Chicago in the West Loop. What a fun, fabulous and festive evening for the Dames! Co-Chairs Melissa Graham and Julie Ratowitz and their hard-working committee put on a spectacular display for members and their guests. Jugglers, fire-eaters, a carnival barker and games to thrill the senses (hosted by Dames Melissa Yen, Patty Erd and Malika Ameen) combined with party drinks and silent auction items for an inspiring start; a family-style dinner of carnival-inspired favorites; inspiring speeches from past culinary scholarship winners; live auction; and of course, the always-amazing Dessert Dash! We raised $50,000 this year for our scholarship and community outreach programs. Many thanks to our generous sponsors, donors, volunteers and attendees.
Big Top ($2500+) Sponsors: Anonymous, H2Vino, Venue One Chicago; Table Sponsor ($2000): City Olive; Ringmaster Sponsors ($1,000): CH Distillery, Ornau Foods, Jo Snow Syrups, Make It Better, Dame Jeanne McInerney, The Spice House, Dame Carol Segal; Trapeze Artist ($500) Sponsors: DMK Restaurants, Dame Malika Ameen, Nielsen Massey Vanillas; Carousel ($250) Sponsors; Viola Foods, Vinic Wines
Beverage Sponsors: H2Vino, Regal Imports, CH Distillery, Temperance Beer Company, Jo Snow Syrups Food Sponsors: Convito Cafe & Market, The French Pastry School, The Chopping Block, The Entertaining Company, Dame Jenny Lewis, Venue One, Saigon Sisters, Don Juan’s, Fultonfishmarket.com, Found Kitchen & Social House, Goddess & Grocer, Dame Margaret Laport, Hewn Bread, House of Glunz, Irish Dairy Board
Photos courtesy of Rachel Brown Kulp.
Dames Who Read Become Supertasters!
By Dame Toria Emos
Who knew that a book about a fictitious New York Times restaurant critic who loses his palate would generate such interesting conversation?
Dames Who Read: Recipe for Disaster
By Toria Emas
It’s never a “Recipe for Disaster” when Dames gather for Dames Who Read. May 3rd was no exception when we toured Logan Square with author Stacey Ballis who is renovating a historic three apartment walk up into a single family home. While on “The Boulevard” we viewed the inspiration for the restoration and were able to see the laborers in action.
Judith Dunbar Hines welcomed the group at her Richmond Avenue home with a glass of wine before we set out to visit a couple of locations mentioned in Stacey’s novel. First stop was Nancy Kamp’s Half Italian for a glass of Prosecco. We didn’t have time to eat the Italian Sandwich made famous in “Recipe for Disaster”, but we did shop for unusual pasta, sauces and other Italian delectables.
Dinner was at Buona Terra on California Avenue–with a story all its own. Lying dormant for two years while the restaurant scene rebounded after 9/11, the owner’s mother lovingly painted vineyard murals above the bar and throughout the restaurant.
2016 Advocates & Sponsors
Thank you to all who support Les Dames d'Escoffier Chicago Chapter.
We are proud and so happy to have such prestigious sponsors!
Dynamic Duos – North Suburban Pot Luck
“Dynamic Duos” was the theme of the LDE networking dinner held at the home of Mary Kay Gill on Sunday, March 13th. Classic flavor pairings inspired the menu.
Dame Karen Levin served Buffalo chicken wings with celery and blue cheese dip to start. This paired nicely with the growlers of Temperance Belgian Wheat, IPA and Stout and the artisan cheese platter shared by prospective member-guest Claudia Jendron.
The experimentation of flavors really set the mood for a fun evening of savoring the culinary journey.
A Mediterranean salad of fennel and orange as well as greens with beets and goat cheese paired nicely with a crisp Sauvignon Blanc. The main course featured potato-wrapped salmon (fish and chips), Brussels sprouts and new potato gratin and Mac, Chile & Cheese. Our own dynamic duo, President Julie Chernoff and President-Elect Mary Reidy McMahon were in attendance. Lucky for us, Mary shared a tart of caramelized peanuts and chocolate and her prospective member-guest Laura Parsons treated us to candied orange shortbread dipped in chocolate.
We shared our professional stories including the winding paths. We commented on the LDE activities of the past year and the vision for the upcoming year. We share observations on our home kitchen selves. As we gathered to celebrate this special meal, each guest added their signature to the embroidered tablecloth. A rich tapestry of friendships around the table.