CONFERENCE COVERAGE ISSUE 2016 Grande Dame Joan Nathan
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WINTER 2016 CONFERENCE COVERAGE ISSUE 2016 Grande Dame Joan Nathan. Roberta Morrell at Autumn Affair. Keynote Speaker Carla Hall. ON THE COVER: Charleston L-R Front: Belinda Smith-Sullivan, Grande Dame Nathalie Dupree, Paige Crone, Jennifer Goldman. Second row: Celia Cerasoli, Deidre Schipani, Sarah Graham, Beth Price. Back row: Susan Slack, Danielle Wecksler, Donna Gustafson, Nancie McDermott. Photos Right, Top: Libba Osborne, Jen Kulick, Cappie Pete, Katherine Frankstone, Lauren Mitterer, Marion Sullivan. Cover photo, Charleston house: Sandy Hu. FROM THE EDITOR Recipe for Success WINTER 2 O16 “It’s not about magnolias and sweet tea, although a little sugar never hurt anyone...” South Carolina Poet Laureate Marjory Wentworth, “Here is Where We Eat the Sun.” During the General Session Welcome of the 2015 Charleston Annual IN THIS ISSUE Conference, Deidre Schipani read Marjory Wentworth’s soulful ode to the 10th Charleston Wine + Food Festival. Inspired by local James Beard FEATURES chefs, Marjory says the idea of this poem comes down to ingredients. Th e “Holy City’s” grand cuisine developed from a distinctive mélange of 4 A Dame in Ecoffier's Kitchen indispensable ingredients within certain geographical boundaries. Th e right mix of ingredients is also why the Annual Conference 5 Thanks from Charleston was such a success and rising to new heights, like Carrie Morey’s hot Charleston biscuits! Key ingredients included: 6 Pre Conference Events • Record-breaking attendance with 350 participants. • Generous business partners. Reach out with appreciation for their 10 Presidents Dinner participation and invaluable support. • Conference Advisory Committee: Jennifer Goldman and Paige 12 Opening Reception Crone, Deidre Schipani, Danielle Wecksler, Libba Osborne; the Keynote Speaker Charleston Board; Grande Dame Nathalie Dupree; committee 13 chairs; and the membership. 14 An Autumn Affair • “History, Hospitality, and How-To”—Sessions on leadership and legal issues; chapter toolkits; top-notch educational speakers off ering new 16 Concurrent Sessions perspectives, interaction, savvy social media techniques, and opportu- nities to immediately implement concepts learned at conference. 21 A Taste of Charleston • Keynote Speaker Carla Hall’s heartfelt message of enthusiasm, motivation, and laughter connected instantly with the audience. Au- 22 Partners' Showcase Luncheon thenticity is the quality she values most. She councils, “Stay authentic and be your true self,” and “Own your beauty—be authentic!” On Green Tables 24 celebrity, she says, “I take it all with a grain of salt.” another pearl of wisdom: “Get to know your palate…understand what you like to do 25 Chapter Photos and be fi rmly rooted in that.” Carla advises Dames to “learn some- 28 M.F.K. Fisher Awards thing new everyday.” She adds, “Success is doing the things you love.” Presentation • lDEI’s newest Grande Dame Joan Nathan—philanthropist, culinary expert, historian, and role model. My appreciation goes to the Dames, and also Mike Mathes, who 29 Legacy Awards Luncheon contributed articles and photos to this issue; to Maryanne Muller 30 Grande Dame Award Banquet (Boston) for graciously assisting at Middleton Place; and to gifted designers Bernie Mudd White and Joni Keith. DEPARTMENTS Th irty years ago, in 1986, LDEI started with fi ve chapters and 225 Dames. Th ere are 36 chapters today—six formed in 2015—and cur- 32 Chapter News rently 2,100 Dames. Mexico Chapter joins our international chapters British Columbia and london. Can Scotland be far behind? Th ere are 36 Member Milestones still mountains to climb, but at conference, LDEI Founder Carol Brock expressed her elation over the growth of the organization, “Dames shout 39 Submission Guidelines it out... onward and upward!” —Susan Fuller Slack, Editor, Winter Quarterly 2 Les Dames d’Escoffier International PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 2016 LDEI BOARD OF DIRECTORS The mission of the LDEI Board is to We are the Architects of our History foster the growth and success of the organization by supporting the It is with great honor that I write my first development of new and existing chapters President’s message with a summary of our great and by implementing program initiatives. Charleston Conference—“Southern Hospitality” It provides leadership, guidance, at its best. Having visited Charleston two years education, connectivity, and effective ago when the Board and the Charleston Chapter communication among LDEI members. were searching for the perfect conference hotel, President to experience the end result was truly special. MARIA GOMEZ-LAURENS Manager, Hospitality, HelmsBriscoe From the Leadership Forum to the breakout 11241 Avenida del Gato sessions and events out of the hotel, the count- San Diego, CA 92126 less hours of planning and hard work by the (858) 633-7515 | [email protected] Charleston Chapter were evident. The Friday First Vice President night riverside event was spectacular with great STACY ZEIGLER Director of Sales, Bold American Events food, energetic dancing to live music, and great 2929 Surrey Lane singing by some talented Dames. Congratu- Atlanta, GA 30341 lations to Conference Chair Paige Crone, Presi- (678) 302-3232 | [email protected] dent Jennifer Goldman, and every Charleston Second Vice President Dame. Thank you for an amazing and memo- taken successfully to Guatemala. ANN STRATTE Congratulations to the six Legacy Award win- Owner, My Personal Chef rable conference. 100 Severn Avenue, #506 “Own your Power.” Speakers with strong ners and the Dames who hosted each of them Annapolis, MD 21403-2622 messages provided us with great tools to help for a lifetime learning experience. We thank the (410) 903-2682 | [email protected] us—not only as professionals but also as Julia Child Foundation for their continuing Third Vice President women. Some of the statements that resonate financial contribution and support. HAYLEY JO MATSON-MATHES The culmination of our conference came at the Owner/Culinary Consultant in my mind are from our keynote speaker, 2333 Kapiolani Blvd #3516 Carla Hall (Washington, D.C.), who sprinkled Saturday banquet as we gathered to recognize Honolulu, HI 96826 stardust on us. Her message to us was power- and honor the extraordinary work of Grande (808) 941-9088 | [email protected] ful, inspirational, and emotional: “Own your Dame Joan Nathan (Washington, D.C.). We Secretary Power” and “There is no mistake we are here are truly honored to add yet another amazing BEV SHAFFER woman to the list of incredible Grande Dames. Vitamix World Headquarters today.” And sure enough, there is no mistake 3433 Blake Road that we broke our attendance record again this Throughout this wonderful conference, we Seville, OH 44273 year; 350 Dames and guests attended! had the presence and support of our amazing (440) 781-7202 | bev.foodwithattitude@gmail. “Inspire, Ignite, and Impact.” Our Chapter and generous partners—those returning and com Board Liaisons, Deborah Mintcheff(New new ones. Thank you for all you do. We look Treasurer forward to seeing you in Washington, D.C. DEBORAH ORRILL York), Deborah Orrill (Dallas), and Bev Shaffer Culinary Consultant (Cleveland), coordinated a wonderful Leadership Returning home, it took me a few extra days 64 Vanguard Way Forum. Each chapter received an educational to absorb this wonderful conference experience. Dallas, TX 75243 package including LDEI’s Public Relations Man- Your LDEI Board will continue the great stra- (214) 343-0124 | [email protected] ual—created by Third Vice President Hayley tegic vision and mission of our past presidents Chapter Board Liaisons JUDITH BELLOS Matson-Mathes (Hawaii); Chapter Guidelines; while focusing on financial growth, new chapter CES & Judy's Catering/Benito's Gelato/Arctic and “Robert Rules of Order Quick Study.” Rox- development, branding, and, yes, of course, Dairy anne Kaufman Elliott’s delightful presentation celebrating LDEI’s 30th anniversary. This will 10405 Clayton Road focused on how to create a written plan for any be a year to remember! St. Louis, MO 63131 Attendees, bring the message, “Own your (314) 524-0869 | [email protected] goal, personal or professional. Her key aspects KATHY GOLD were “Inspire, Ignite, and Impact.” Thanks to Power,” back to your chapters. Continue the The Cooking Company/ Alice Gautsch Foreman (Seattle) and Brock wonderful work you do. Remember the reasons In The Kitchen Cooking School Circle members for their financial contribution you joined LDEI. It is through our passion, 10 Mechanic Street love, vision, respect, support of one another, Haddonfield, NJ 08033 in making this great educational event possible. (609) 206-4511 | [email protected] and commitment, that we will keep growing. “Don’t be afraid to seek out mentors and be DEBORAH MINTCHEFF inspired by them, especially if it’s your own We are the architects of our history and the Live Forward Coaching mom,” said Erin Byers Murray (Nashville), this creators of the legacy for future generations. I 129 East 69th Street year’s M.F.K. Fisher Award winner. Congratula- look forward to working with you and welcome New York, NY 10021-5000 tions, Erin, for your excellent work and also for your ideas. We are one, and together we can (212) 879 0383 | [email protected] continue to make this a greater organization. Immediate Past President acknowledging the true power of learning from LORI WILLIS other women. Willco Communications & Strategic PR Our Green Tables presentation was powerful 1159 Charter Oak Pkwy and inspirational; we learned from Susan Wig- Creve Coeur, MO 63146 (314) 994-4602 / (314) 456-5457 ley (Charleston) how the Charleston Chapter, [email protected] through food, helped heal the city after the Executive Director mass church shooting. Susan Jaime (San Anto- GREG JEWELL nio) shared their incredible local program called Maria Gomez-Laurens President, AEC Management Resources “The Junior Master Gardner,” which they have P.O. Box 4961 President, Les Dames d’Escoffier International Louisville, KY 40204 (502) 456-1851 x1 | [email protected] WINTER QUArterLY 2016 3 Head Chef Kim Woodward at the Savoy Grill.