The Scoop #1 – May 2023

What’s going on with Les Dames d’Escoffier in Monterey

After the long and isolating COVID, your local chapter has been spreading its wings and we’re excited to bring you up to date on what’s been going on behind the scenes. The newly formed Communications Committee is happy to report the following.

Starting with this issue we plan to produce a newsletter two or three times a year to keep our membership knowledgeable about our local chapter.

Our annual fundraiser, November 9th at The Club at Pasadera was most successful raising approximately $13,000 for scholarships and inducting six new dames, Kaila Cruz, Analuisa Bejar, Amanda Girard Jones, Edeen Hill, Carolyn Walter and Michele Wilkinson. If you know any of these illustrious women, please reach out and congratulate them for joining our group.

Did you see our ad in the Pine Cone? The April 7th issue of the Pine Cone in the section called Women in Business had an ad for our scholarship funds. We are seeking qualified students who want to continue their education in the food, wine and hospitality industries. Do you know anyone who needs help?

We are in the process of creating a Website which will include a directory of all our members, will have information on our events both past and present, and will include a way to pay dues on-line. And will especially feature information about the activities of our members. You all are prominent in our community, so we are proud to acknowledge and support each other by spreading the good news. To that end, we have engaged journalism students from Carmel High School to interview our membership. If you hear from one of these students, we hope you will be willing to answer their questions. In exchange for their help, they will get community service credit. A win-win for all.

We also now have a Facebook Page for our chapter so for those of you who follow Face Book, you can post information and photographs if you want. Contact Sarda Desmond for more information. This year the National Conference was held in New York City, and we had three members attend, Sharon Van Meter, Roxanne Langer and Tamara Carver.

Our next event will be June 17th at MEarth. Karin Statton is the new executive director, and she will give us an update on their work and educational programs, one of which we support annually. We will also have a chance to tour the gardens and then retreat to a no-host lunch at Baja Cantina just for fun.

August 3rd is our Annual Meeting – a Grand Pot Luck Luncheon just for members. It will be held at St. Dunstan’s in Brock Hall. This is a chance to get to know new members and catch up with old members.

This is a free event, and you can bring your favorite food to share.

Milestones: Keep us up to date on your awards, promotions, accolades and good works. Remember Les Dames is all about investing in the power of women, so we want to recognize your achievements as we support each other and our community.

Our Board of Directors. As you all know Mary Chamberlin is our time-honored President supported by
board members, Rachel Mueller, Carol Hilburn, Cheryle Pisto, Sarda Desmond, Roxanne Langer, Eileen
Topete, Susan Walkup, Charlyne Brown, and Analuisa Bejar. Our Advisory Board includes Michele Axley,
Wendy Brodie, Maureen Signorella, Lygia Chappellet, Charlotte Muia, Annette Hoff, Marta Kraftzeck and
Eleni Papadakis. Speak up if you would like to join either of our boards.

Our scholarship chair, Susan Walkup, is ready to follow-up with any applicants you may know of who
want to pursue further education in the culinary arts. We have money to give away. We just need
qualified applicants.

If you have any information you would like to add to our newsletters, please let me or any of our board
members know. We want our newsletter to be a forum for communication.

At your service – Rachel Mueller