Author: lesdameschicago

It was a pleasant and warm, midsummer night. Luckily the showers earlier in the day decided not to return when 16 Dames and guests met up at Ravinia Festival on Sunday, Aug. 9, for the 15th annual Ravinia Potluck Picnic to see and hear Diana Krall. As usual, Dames brought their favorite dishes, including two Greek Meze dips from Polly Peters, Sharon Olson’s Mediterranean Cheese Platter, Mary Kay Gill’s Roast Chicken with Za’tar Spices, Phaedra Ruffalo’s (Sharon’s friend) Grilled Chicken and Vegetable Kabobs and five wonderful salads including Mary Hess’s Pasta Salad with Grilled Vegetables.

For the first time in a record-setting 15 years, Maria Concannon couldn’t make the event because of a big wedding in Mexico. We missed her famous guacamole so I did my best to recreate the dish, paired with my summery margaritas. Krall, a jazz pianist and singer didn’t miss a beat with her famously smooth vocals and cover songs of favorite rock n’ roll artists from her new CD, “Wallflower.” We took turns taking the short walk to the pavilion to see her in person, returning for more food, wine and a lovely Peach Pie from Mary McMahon and a Plum Cake from Laura Parsons, a perspective member, for dessert. All in all, we made it another memorable Ravinia night.

What happens when you combine an ancient game, Italian cocktails, Mediterranean-inspired food, and an enthusiastic group of Dames (and their husbands) on a warm summer’s evening in the western suburbs of Chicago? Fun, laughs and competition! On July 30, a group of Dames took to the courts in River Forests to learn and play the ancient game of Bocce Ball, a sport dating back to 5200 B.C. with roots throughout the Mediterranean. While the rules of the game have evolved and changed over the millennia, one aspect remains the same – the urge to throw and hit something is apparently a natural part of the human condition!

The evening began with Dame Rita Gutekanst hosting courtside, pouring invigorating libations – Negroni (see recipe at the end of this article) and Bellini- to fortify the enthusiasm of the group as well as their competitive spirit. Following instruction on the art of play by Dame Gina Voci and her husband Ed, the games began as each of four teams attempted to roll their way to victory, landing their balls nearest to the yellow “pallino” (little ball). The rolling “styles” of the players were almost as unique as the array of Mediterranean inspired dishes brought by each Dame, illustrating that creative talent takes many expressions! As several Dames were unable to make it, reinforcements were brought in, fielding a team of Millennials (Dame Jeanne McInerney’s son, Gina Voci’s daughter) who were soundly defeated by the opposing team – the Boomers. (“Participation Trophies” were NOT awarded to the Millennials . . . )

Following the games, all enjoyed a candle-lit potluck alfresco dinner in the Voci’s back yard. Listening to music, sipping wine, enjoying great food and convivial company, one of the spouses quipped that Bocce should be the official sport of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. As the evening wound down, a small group of Dames and spouses spontaneously sang and danced to classic rock tunes in the kitchen, proving that some Dames not only roll, but ROCK and roll!

Will we do it again? Join the fun next year for the second annual Dames Who Roll – rematch!

 

 

Recipe for Negroni Les Dames
One part Gin
One part Campari
One part Punt e Mes
Twist of Orange Peel

Straight up or over ice!

WHAT: Dames Who Read —

Featured book: The Cake Therapist by Judith Fertig.   

Synopsis: Claire “Neely” O’Neil is a pastry chef of extraordinary talent. Every great chef can taste shimmering, elusive flavors that most of us miss, but Neely can “taste” feelings—cinnamon makes you remember; plum is pleased with itself; orange is a wake-up call. When flavor and feeling give Neely a glimpse of someone’s inner self, she can customize her creations to help that person celebrate love, overcome fear, even mourn a devastating loss.

Maybe that’s why she feels the need to go home to Millcreek Valley at a time when her life seems about to fall apart. The bakery she opens in her hometown is perfect, intimate, just what she’s always dreamed of—and yet, as she meets her new customers, Neely has a sense of secrets, some dark, some perhaps with tempting possibilities. A recurring flavor of alarming intensity signals to her perfect palate a long-ago story that must be told.

Neely has always been able to help everyone else. Getting to the end of this story may be just what she needs to help herself.

Brown Paper Tickets

To reserve by check, make out to LDE Chicago Chapter and mail to:
Polly Peters
504 Lee Street
Evanston, IL 60202-1884

The recipes tasted were all from Maria’s book — Polenta tart with sherried strawberry compote, frittata muffins, asparagus grain salad, and shortbread cookies with hazelnuts.

Loved learning all about whole grains from Maria Speck, author of Simply Ancient Grains and fellow Dame (Northeast Chapter). Tim Mazurek, Lottie + Doof food blogger led the discussion. Sandra Holl (new Chicago Dame) and crew at Floriole Café prepared a delicious tasting of recipes from the book. Did you know that Italians use the term Farro to refer to 3 ancient wheat varities? farro piccolo (aka German einkorn), farro medio (emmer) and farro grande (spelt) – Any ideas on where to find farro piccolo in Chicago?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by Toria Emas

If you wondered why ears were burning on May 11, many Dames from around the country were being mentioned by the 13 Book Clubbers who met at Bistronomic to discuss Anne Willan’s One Soufflé at a Time. From Abby Mandel to Dames from Boston , Dallas, South Carolina and Atlanta, many received their inspiration and training at Anne Willian’s La Varenne Cooking School. Our very own Book Club member, Diane Sokolofski spent a day in the Paris school while her husband, Ed, was in a business meeting. The book’s index contains a Who’s Who in the culinary world. Many Dames at the table shared a story or two about meeting and working with Anne at IACP on special committees and the board.

We reminisced about first trips to Paris and what aspects of France surprised us the most. The conversation centered around how everyone ended up in the culinary/wine world. None of us were so lucky to work at Versailles as Anne did, but our Dames still became culinary teachers and leaders in their chosen field. Anne and her husband Mark were quite social and entertained diplomats, lawyers, judges, authors, food critics and most lovingly their family. Continue reading “Dames Who Read: One Souffle At A Time” →

Dames Meme Hopmayer, Nancy Brussat and Barbara Glunz and Malika Ameen along with Convito Chef Noe Sanchez and Meme’s husband Gary Hopmayer not only put on a fantastic dinner for Swankalicious fundraising bid winner Dame Nancy Cassidy and her guests but also had a fantastic time doing it!

The food was delicious and the wines selected by Barbara Glunz to go with each course were perfectly matched. The setting, the flowers and the accompanying piano music created a glorious ambience.

The next day we all received an email from Nancy Cassidy. “You all went above and beyond to make last night so super-fantastic, delicious and gorgeous. Chris and I are celebrating our 28th anniversary (legal) or 33rd (including the 5 years we lived together before we got married) tomorrow. So this was just the loveliest way to celebrate with our dear friends.”

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