A variety of events are offered by Les Dames d’Escoffier Chicago during the year, with many events open to the public. Check out events below for what’s coming up. For more information, email programs@lesdameschicago.org.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30: CULINARY BAZAAR

The newest fundraising event: the Culinary Bazaar, scheduled for Sunday, June 30, 2019. Proceeds from this exciting event will help fund our scholarship and community service programs.

Click here for a special letter to invite sponsors to help make this our most successful event of the year. 

The Culinary Bazaar will evoke a sense of adventure and discovery, offering new and gently used culinary equipment of all kinds for sale, plus food kiosks, a fun, old-fashioned cake walk (like a game of “musical chairs” to win whole cakes!), a bake sale, raffle prizes and more.

The event will take place at Envision Unlimited, a wonderful non-profit organization that helps adults  with disabilities to promote choice, independence and community integration. It is located at 1801 N. Spaulding Ave.

The Culinary Bazaar will be open to the public, with a $5 ticketed entry fee and VIP early-access at $40 per person. Stay tuned for information on how to purchase tickets. There will be plenty of free parking for all!

Event Chair Judith Hines has assembled an all-star committee running every aspect of the event, from corporate sponsorship opportunities to merchandise selection to volunteering to communications and everything in between. If you would like to get involved now, please contact Judith at jd-hines@comcast.net.

THURSDAY, MARCH 21: PREMIERE OF A FINE LINE

We are pleased to share an advance invitation to the premiere of an exciting new documentary shining a spotlight on women in the restaurant industry – including our own Dame Carrie Nahabedian, chef and co-owner of the critically acclaimed Brindille restaurant!

In this award-winning documentary, entitled “A Fine Line,” filmmaker Joanna James explores why less than 7% of head chefs and restaurant owners are women, presenting candid insights from world-renowned chefs including Carrie Nahabedian, as well as another Dame, Lidia Bastianich, Dominique Crenn, April Bloomfield, Barbara Lynch, Cat Cora, Daniel Humm and many more.  “A Fine Line” grapples with themes sparking national conversations right now, including workplace harassment, equal pay, paid parental leave and career advancement.

This is a great opportunity to honor a fellow Dame and help support women in the restaurant industry.

• Thursday, March 21 from 6-9 p.m.
• National Hellenic Museum, 333 S. Halsted St.

MONDAY, APRIL 1: CHICAGO FOOD ENCYCLOPEDIA TRIVIA NIGHT

Think you know everything there is to know about Chicago and its food? Here’s your chance to prove it, when we dive into some of the most fun facts in the pages of The Chicago Food Encyclopedia.

Co-Editor Carol Mighton Haddix and a panel of Dames who contributed to The Chicago Food Encyclopedia will be on-hand to tell us stories about what they learned as they researched the wide world of local food, places and people. You may be surprised at many of the things they uncovered!

And in keeping with the April Fools Day date, we will do our best to fool you with a list of true or false facts! You’ll want to be the winner of that quiz!

Books will be available for purchase and Carol and her co-editors Bruce Kraig and Colleen Sen will be there to personally sign them. And yes, of course, there will be treats from Eli’s Cheesecake too!  This fun and fantastic event is open to Dames and guests. Have a prospective member in mind? Bring them!

• WHEN: Monday, April 1 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.
• WHERE: Eli’s Cheesecake Company, 6701 Forest Preserve Drive, Chicago 60634
• PRICE: $20 per person

Mark your calendars:

• Monday, June 10, 2019 will be the Annual Dinner & Business Meeting. Location will be forthcoming.
• Sunday, June 30: Culinary Estate Sale, Location will be forthcoming