What’s going on with Les Dames d’Escoffier in Monterey
It’s time for an update from your president. We have much to report.
First, kudos to Kari Bernardi and Elsa Rivera for securing tickets to the Annual Sommelier Dinner at the Big Sur Food and Wine Festival for the National LDEI on-line auction. This item has a $700 value. Since we know how hard it is to get tickets for locals, this is a big win for our local chapter and getting our name out there nationally.
Things that you may have missed this last year include a Pop-Up at Dame Tamie Aceves Point Pinos last November 23rd. It was a beautiful day in Pacific Grove and a chance to taste Tamie’s great food and catch up with other dames.
In December we had our Annual Holiday Tea on the Big Sur Coast at Rachel Mueller’s. Once again, the camaraderie was terrific and the food to match at the elegant table.
In February we hosted the National Board for a wonderful dinner and evening of exchanging ideas. Dames Sarda Desmond and Analuisa Béjar cooked, and our newest scholarship student Ana Santiago helped in the kitchen and served. The meal included a butternut squash shrimp bisque soup, seabass with a tomato confit crust, Biryani rice and asparagus, followed by a Mexican chocolate flourless cake with an orange custard sauce for dessert. Wines were from Dames Dawn Galante and Lygia Chappellet. We received many accolades from the board after the event.
On February 25th once again we supported the Rancho Cielo Culinary Round-up as a Bronze sponsor sharing the cost with the American Institute of Wine and Food. The event was well attended and raised a record amount of money.
Then in March two Dames, Rachel Mueller and Genevieve James attended The Flavors of Mexico presented by the Mexico Chapter. It was a spectacular trip traveling to Baja San Jose, Todos Santos and La Paz where they feasted on fabulous meals and were inundated with the local culture. There were 42 women from chapters all over the country, so it was a chance to connect with other food and wine programs and make some lifetime friends. Opportunities like The Flavors of Mexico are one of the great benefits of being a member of Les Dames. Certainly, if you have the time, these culinary tours are not to be missed.
Other news — Our chapter is now a member of the Monterey County Hospitality Association and Dames Rachel Mueller, Charlyne Brown, Roxanne Langer, Tamara Carver, Kari Bernardi, Monica Lal, Wendy Brickman, Marilyn Schultz, Sarda Desmond and Cheryle Pisto have been seen attending their quarterly luncheons. The association is helping to promote our scholarship funds.
Now to upcoming events:
On Saturday, October 25th we are hosting a Carmel Café Writers’ Workshop. Dame Jennifer Sanders is coordinating the resources with her background in publishing. This will be open to the public and Dames all across the country. This first workshop will be limited to a small group as we get our feet wet in preparation for a bigger Food and Wine Writers’ Retreat in 2026. More details to come later.
As of this writing we have a new scholarship recipient Leyla Zoberi, who is continuing her education in wine through the Lady Somm certificate program. We are also entertaining the idea of a Gourmet Rummage Sale if there is enough interest. Speak up if you would like to work on it. Helaine Tregenza is in charge. And watch your e-mail announcing another Pop-Up — a spontaneous get-together with other Dames coming soon.
Also in the planning stages is a one-day Ag tour – a chance to go out into the fields of Salinas and see up close what is being grown, harvested and produced in our part of the world. We are so lucky to have this educational resource in our backyard. We will be invited the Sonoma, Sacramento and San Francisco chapters to join us. Stay tuned. We are looking for a date in late September.
Happening now: Les Dames are hosting three receptions during the Carmel Bach Festival. This is a chance for the community to see us in action. We are providing small bites, both savory and sweet after the concerts on July 14th, July 17th and July 22nd. We can always use volunteer help so call Carol Hilburn or Rachel Mueller if you want to join in. Doing things together is always fun.
Meanwhile we are also seeking new members who are strong leaders in our community. Recently five new women have joined: Sharon Runde, owner of Sugar Science and a fourth-generation baker; Lucy Vanel, the owner of the Plum Lyon Teaching Kitchen in Lyon, France; Aga Simpson, an advertising and marketing consultant with Edible Monterey Bay magazine; Toun Ray, the Food Sourcing Manager for the Food Bank for Monterey County; and Katie Reneker, the new Executive Director for MEarth. If you know someone who you think would be a good Dame and has at least five years’ experience in food, wine or hospitality, please give us their name. And most importantly, please speak up if you have a milestone in your career so we can promote you in the National newsletters. Send board member Helaine Tregenza your information (helaine@me.com). We have amazing women in this chapter, and we need to see that you get the recognition that you deserve.
And of note our National Board is promoting a new LDEI On-Line series of educational lectures and programs. These programs are new but look very exciting. You might even consider creating one such program to offer the wider membership. If you have an idea for a program, let us know.
Now a teaser! Has anyone an interest in dinner in Paris in September? Rachel will be in Paris the first part of September and is entertaining the idea of a dinner with other Dames in Paris. There is also the possibility of going south to the Escoffier Museum in Villeneuve-Loubet with a stop in Lyon to see our member Dame Lucy Vanel and her cooking school. Who is interested?
On a more serious side, we are seeking corporate sponsors to help with our scholarship fund. If you are part of an organization that would be interested, let us know. We are offering the following categories:
Champagne Sponsor: $5,000; Cabernet Sauvignon: $2,000; Pinot Noir: $1000; Chardonnay: $500; Sauvignon Blanc: $250
Sponsors will be listed in all publicity, including our Website and social media and receive free invitations to all our events. We are a 501©(3) and all donations are tax deductible to the extent of the law.
About our Website — It is currently being completely revamped so networking will be easier, and notices of events and happenings will be posted in a timely manner. Further, each member will have her own page with a photo and contact information. With that in mind, please send Rachel (RMuellerbisur@cs.com) a head shot photo to be added to your bio. As a member you will be able to log on and change your details as events change in your life. It should be up and running in August.
We hope each of you is doing well. Les Dames Monterey is proud to have you as a member.
Warmly,
Rachel Mueller, President
