2020 Virtual CONFERENCE COVERAGE
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WINTER 2021 2020 Virtual CONFERENCE COVERAGE ALSO INSIDE ... MEET THE 2021 BOARD | GRANDE DAME LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW | HOTEL TREND REPORT London Dame Miranda 2021 LDEI BOARD Gore Brown bakes a PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE Coffee and Walnut OF DIRECTORS Slice Cake (Page 25). Leadership in Action The mission of the LDEI Board is to with 2021 Grande Dame Looking Ahead: Riding the Wave of Momentum foster the growth and success of Carolyn Wente (Page the organization by supporting the 20). Personalized YETI Feeling very honored and privileged, I sit down development of new and existing Rambler Mug. to write a president’s message. chapters and by implementing program Let me share a little about my background. initiatives. It provides leadership, For the last 12 years, I have been a small busi- guidance, education, connectivity, and ness owner. In 2009, I formed a consulting and effective communication among LDEI executive search company with a focus on the members. food, hospitality, and beverage industries. Most President of my clients were privately owned businesses on JUDITH HOLLIS-JONES the path to significant growth. I truly enjoyed Kentucky Chapter Hollis Jones and Associates feeling that I made a difference for some amazing [email protected] companies. A couple of my clients made the IPO (502)-403-9689 trip, which was exhilarating. First Vice President FROM THE EDITOR Then, in 2019, I realized that being a native DEBORAH MINTCHEFF Kentuckian, a boomerang who had returned to New York Chapter her home state after the “Corporate Tourism” of PEN&INK Recognizing Beauty in Imperfection [email protected] WINTER 2021 living in several (seven) different cities. I joined (917) 923-6348 Last March, I broke one of my cherished Imari porcelain tea- three co-founders to create a whiskey brand, Buz- cups that I had purchased in Japan. It was the start to an unprec- Second Vice President zard’s Roost Spirits, LLC. rye and bourbon. I now ERIN BYERS MURRAY edented year! The value and usefulness of the teacup was dimin- find myself as CEO of that venture. Nashville Chapter ished, but I kept the exquisite, broken pieces, hoping to recycle Early in my career, I spent 25 years in the food in- The Local Palate them into something different that would be [email protected] IN THIS ISSUE dustry in executive positions in global supply chain (617) 571-8173 attractive and worthwhile. I thought of the management, serving as a VP for YUM Brands Japanese art of kintsugi (“golden joinery”) in Third Vice President FEATURES and a SVP for Wendy’s. An exciting career for me LIZ BARRETT, CSW which skilled craftsmen mend broken pieces working to select seed or breed to farm standards, Chicago Chapter until a vessel is whole again, then they paint 2021 LDEI Board to processing methods, to safe transportation and Beverage, Food, Lifestyle PR & 4 the cracks with a special lacquer and fine, distribution, to in-store handling and safe service, Communications powered gold, platinum, or silver. Kintsugi is [email protected] while always considering food safety, sustainability, (312) 446-6945 7 LDEI Gratitude entwined with Japan’s philosophy of wabi- animal welfare, and many other factors. A farm-to- compliance. sabi—“finding beauty in imperfection.” Secretary Virtual Conference Coverage fork puzzle that made a difference for my employer • Increase LDEI Brand Awareness in Industry STEPHANIE JAEGER This ancient practice could be a metaphor for our lives during and all the consumers we fed every day. and Chapter Communities. British Columbia Chapter the past year. COVID-19, with the resulting losses we’ve expe- • Increase Member Participation above Chapter PearTree Restaurant A Toast to our Partners I am a founding member of the LDEI Ken- 14 rienced, has changed life as we knew it, and we long to be made Level through virtual events, recorded confer- [email protected] tucky Chapter. I live in Louisville, KY with (604) 299-2772 whole again. my much-loved husband, Ron Jones, and our ence segments, and chapter virtual event 18 Exploring Food through the Fortunately, when worldwide events were being postponed Treasurer much-loved Bouvier des Flandres, Lulu in our sharing with others. Let’s participate interna- BARB PIRES Lens of Ethnic Diversity or cancelled, LDEI’s International Board pivoted quickly and, 100+ year-old-home. tionally! Atlanta Chapter piece-by-piece, crafted an engaging Annual Conference online. It is with #gratitude that I become LDEI Presi- • Support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion culture Henri’s Bakery & Deli It offered top-notch sessions, spontaneity, instant feedback, net- dent immediately after the Strategic Plan and work in LDEI organization with unconscious bias [email protected] (404) 432-5541 DEPARTMENTS working, and breakout groups with stimulating discussions. We led by Bev Shafferand the 2020 Board. That Stra- training, speakers, and other opportunities. Chapter Board Liaisons even had a lineup of celebrity panelists! There was endless good tegic Plan gave me a clear view for developing my • Provide Support to Each Board Member in KATHY SHEARER 20 Leadership in Action food (created in our own kitchens), and a “swag bag” that arrived goals for 2021. An ideal situation would be two attaining their priority goals, thus achieving by mail with a personalized, white YETI Rambler mug. San Antonio Chapter to three goals for the year. However there is much personal satisfaction from their Board partici- Shearer Publishing 22 Trends A leader can be defined as someone who paves new paths, that can be accomplished to move LDEI forward. pation. [email protected] inspires future generations, pioneers new methods, and rallies Thus, my goals are more than three and each In November, December, and January, I have (830) 997-6529 24 The Brock Circle behind causes that they believe in. This sound exactly like our Board member is developing their individual goals made my calendar available to chapter presidents INGRID GANGESTAD new Grande Dame Carolyn Wente—who is the epitome of a as well. As a former corporate executive, I believe for individual calls with me. I am learning so much Minnesota Chapter St. Croix Culinary Consulting, LLC leader. Don’t miss Jerry Anne Di Vecchio’s interview with her that goal setting, tracking, and then celebrating is in these calls and getting great ideas. My time is 25 Global Culinary Postcard on page 20. [email protected] the way to achieve forward progress. not available for chapter presidents only; I wel- (651) 274-4033 The writers who contributed to this issue are craftsmen in As I stated in my recent monthly president’s come emails or conversation with all members. Chapter Programs BONNIE TANDY LEBLANG 26 their own right, using their words to paint vivid scenes of the message, LDEI is in a good state; however, we We have been through a difficult time in 2020, New York Chapter Conference events. Special thanks to all who contributed to must keep gradually improving to keep pace in and it will linger for a while longer. However, I Bite of the Best 32 Member Milestones and supported this issue including Co-Editor CiCi Williamson today’s complex world. Thus, my belief in the want to keep momentum moving forward for [email protected] (203) 887-5455 (Washington, D.C.), Second Vice President Erin Byers Murray good-to-great journey. LDEI while we continue to provide assistance Immediate Past President (Nashville), President Judith Hollis-Jones (Kentucky), the LDEI Here are the goals I have set for 2021: through our Relief Fund and many, many chapter Partners, and our designer, Joni Keith for bringing it all to life! BEV SHAFFER • Support, Move Forward, and Communicate efforts. The heart of LDEI always amazes and Cleveland/Northeast Ohio Chapter Sometimes during the process of restoring things and making Regularly the 2020-2023 LDEI Strategic Plan. impresses me. Owner/COOK.WRITE.TRAVEL.REPEAT. them whole again, we can create something that is even more • Focus on Philanthropy—Increase philanthro- LDEI is an amazing organization and I am so [email protected] beautiful, resilient and unique. py and scholarships from chapters and LDEI. very pleased to be able to serve. (330) 441-2706 • Provide Support and Resources to LDEI Executive Director —Susan Fuller Slack, Editor, Winter Quarterly Judy GREG JEWELL Chapters toward their success. Judith Hollis Jones President, AEC Management Resources • Improve Financial Position of LDEI through President, Les Dames d’Escoffier International Louisville, KY 40204 © Les Dames d’ Escoffier, 2021. sponsorships, grants, events, and budget [email protected] (502) 456-1851 x1 2 Les Dames d’Escoffier International WINTER QUARTERLY 2021 3 2021 LDEI BOARD Judith Deborah Erin Byers Liz Bonnie Tandy Ingrid Kathy Hollis–Jones Mintcheff Murray Barrett Leblang Gangestad Shearer (Kentucky) (New York) (Nashville) (Chicago) (New York) (South Florida) (San Antonio) PRESIDENT FIRST VICE PRESIDENT SECOND VICE PRESIDENT THIRD VICE PRESIDENT CHAPTER BOARD CHAPTER BOARD CHAPTER BOARD LIAISON LIAISON LIAISON Entrepreneur Judith Hollis–Jones has Deborah Mintcheffenjoys Based in Nashville, Tennes- Liz Barrett is a marketing and a multi-disciplined, senior level executive being immersed in two of her see, Erin Byers Murray is the communications professional Bonnie Tandy Leblang has been an As a new Floridian, Ingrid Kathy Shearer has been a background with leadership experience in passions every day: as a cookbook editor-in-chief at the Local Palate with 20 years of experience, most award-winning food writer, interna- Gangestad transferred book publisher since 1980, large multi-national corporations includ- editor and as a calligrapher. She magazine, which celebrates the recently as head of PR and com- tionally syndicated columnist, consul- her membership from the specializing in regional ing, Yum Brands, Wendy’s, IBM, and has been in the food industry for food culture of the South.