WINTER 2020 NASHVILLE CONFERENCE ISSUE On the cover: Nashville Chapter (L-R) Front row: Tasha Kennard, Lynne Tolley, Anne Byrn, Karen-Lee Ryan, Margot McCormack, Robin Burns (orange sweater), Jessica Collins, Mindy Merrell, Emily Frith, Marylou Tate, Cara Graham, Sheila Thomas. Middle row: Jennifer Justus, Erin Mosow, Carey Aron, Daisy King (orange scarf), Dee Patel, Christian Nix, Cynthia Himmelfarb. Back row: Nealya Parish, Julia Sullivan, Amy Tavalin, Nancy Vienneau, Lokelani Alabanza, Claire Crowell (brunette bangs), Karen Vanarsdel, and behind—Rebekah Turshen and Deb Paquette. Right: (L-R): Music exhibit at the Tennessee State Museum. One of many whimsical horse sculptures at the Wildhorse Saloon, Nashville. Dames enjoyed Chef Ouita Michel's country ham in beaten biscuits at her Holly Hill Inn, Versailles, Kentucky. Photos: Susan F. Slack FROM THE EDITOR Rhythm & Roots: WINTER 2 O20 It all Begins with a Song The Tennessee women of country music sing countless songs about female empowerment. IN THIS ISSUE Remember Trisha Yearwood’s hit, "XXX's and OOO's (An American Girl),” co-written by Nashville Dame Alice Randall? Who could FEATURES forget firecracker Dolly Parton’s iconic song, “9 to 5,” or Sarah Evan’s “Born to Fly.” 6 Preconference Tours Another group of spirited women with major girl power—the Nashville Chapter—generates its own unique brand of rhythm while staying in tempo with the values and practices of LDEI. Bollywood Breakfast; Keynote 13 On October 24-27, they hosted an exceptional international Conference led by Co-Chairs Anne Byrn and Mindy Merrell 14 Concurrent Sessions who, symbolically, walked in the footsteps of the first Ten- nesseans—leaders in volunteerism—who inspired Tennessee’s 19 Chapter Leadership Forum nickname, “The Volunteer State.” Dames were united through heritage tours, educational seminars, 20 Partners' Showcase Luncheon inspiring keynote speeches, award presentations, networking op- portunities, exchanges of ideas, and gathering around communal tables. You can read about all of these activities within this issue. 27 Legacy Awards Luncheon Music hit a “high note” at Conference. Tennessee country music encompasses many styles including world-class fiddling 28 A Taste of Nashville from the 1700s, traveling minstrels, “hillbilly” music, “shaped- note” gospel songs, bluegrass, and folk blues. The genres all come 30 Grande Dame Award Dinner together at the Grand Ole Opry. Like the branches of a tree, each one is unique and grows in a different direction, but they all stay attached to their roots. Post-Conference Tour 33 Dames enjoyed performances from several celebrated perform- ers and songwriters—Nashville’s “unsung heroes.” The city DEPARTMENTS became officially known as the “Music City” in the 1950s, but when Queen Victoria was entertained by the world-renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers in the late 19th century, she commented that Fundraising 12 they must have come from “a city of music.” The spirit of these talented singers put Nashville on the map. 26 Green Tables Special thanks to all the Dame-writers who contributed a report to this issue. They “painted” vivid “word pictures” that, along 34 Chapter Programs with the photos, showcase the Conference highlights. You’ll meet the key speakers and award winners, pick up leadership tips and Member Milestones new ideas, and discover many valuable resources. Thanks to Nick 36 Vacarro and the many Dames who shared photos for this issue, including CiCi Williamson and Hayley Matson-Mathes. And 39 Submission Guidelines thank you to Joni Keith, LDEI’s talented designer, who helped bring this issue to life. © Les Dames d’ Escoffier, 2020. —Susan Fuller Slack, (Charleston), Winter Quarterly 2 Les Dames d’Escoffier International PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 2020 LDEI BOARD OF DIRECTORS The mission of the LDEI Board is to A Music Scene Second to None, Messages from the foster the growth and success of the organization by supporting the Heart, and Rockstar Chefs…Thank you, Nashville! development of new and existing chapters and by implementing program initiatives. It provides leadership, guidance, This is one of those issues of our Quarterly education, connectivity, and effective that you’ll pick up and read multiple times… communication among LDEI members. in the morning while sipping a strong cup of President coffee and in the evening while sipping your BEV SHAFFER Kentucky Bourbon. Page after page, it’s filled Cleveland/Northeast Ohio Chapter Owner/COOK.WRITE.TRAVEL.REPEAT. with information and inspiration. [email protected] The pages overflow with the joyful “Rhythm & (330) 441-2706 Roots” that Co-Chairs Anne Byrn and Mindy First Vice President Merrell and a Nashville Chapter filled with pride JUDY HOLLIS-JONES showcased for us. Kentucky Chapter From the Preconference tours to the celebration Hollis Jones and Associates [email protected] of Grande Dame Nora Pouillon to the Post- (502)-403-9689 Conference Kentucky Bourbon Tour, it was hard Second Vice President to say “goodbye for now.” DANIELLE WECKSLER As Beth Davis-Noragon (Cleveland) tells our Charleston Chapter chapter’s membership after each Conference: Le Creuset “I hope more of you can attend next year, [email protected] because once you go to (843)-647-9902 Conference you get it. You Third Vice President Bev and John BETH VLASICH PAV feel inspired, you network and Shaffer Austin Chapter begin to fully understand what Cooking by Design, LLC LDEI is all about.” [email protected] On behalf of all of us (a record (512) 431-8751 number of us!) who attended how it was so Secretary our Annual LDEI Conference in JENNIFER GOLDMAN impactful in our San Antonio Chapter Nashville, “Rhythm & Roots,” lives. I’d like to Bal-Core Business Advisors we are so appreciative of all the share this space [email protected] countless hours that went into I am afforded (843) 224-0198 such an inspiring event. Thank with Jackie as she Treasurer you, Nashville Dames. shares her comments with us: BARBARA HANLEY Your chance to once again feel inspired, New England Chapter “Bev Shaffer’sinaugural presidential message Shy Brothers Farms network with other Dames, and begin to fully on gratitude was delivered at the perfect place [email protected] understand what LDEI is all about will be here and time. By the end of the Conference, I felt (508)-333-2626 before we know it…so mark those calendars immensely grateful for the talented women who I Chapter Board Liaisons now for New York’s “Culinary Melting Pot,” interacted with and had the opportunity to meet. STEPHANIE JAEGER October 15-18, 2020. The message continues to resonate as I reflect British Columbia Chapter The stories and photographs in this issue daily on the good things, gifts, and benefits I am Pear Tree Restaurant illustrate the many layers of connections made grateful for in my life. These affirmations help [email protected] (604) 299-2772 at conference. However, there’s much more than us internalize the magnitude of all that is good the Nashville Conference recap in this issue. We in our lives thus allowing us to contextualize our INGRID GANGESTAD continue with our LDEI Trends Report, this year Minnesota Chapter problems. When we are grateful, we begin to St. Croix Culinary Consulting, LLC thanks to Danielle Wecksler (Charleston) and realize that so much of what we are grateful for is [email protected] Gina Burchenal (Austin). Their hours (and I outside ourselves and involves others who helped (651) 274-4033 mean hours) of gathering reveal some fascinating us achieve a gladden heart. BONNIE TANDY LEBLANG trends…and they have pulled together a report If gratitude is not part of your daily practice, New York Chapter that once again highlights who we are— consider the benefits that go well beyond the Bite of the Best influencers in food, fine beverage, and hospitality. [email protected] immediate satisfaction of having a joyful heart. (203) 887-5455 It’s an honor to serve as LDEI President, and Gratitude is also good for our mind, body, through our upcoming Strategic Plan and Immediate Past President and soul. Scientists have found those who are ANN STRATTE other initiatives I look to continuing to move grateful have stronger immune systems, feel more Washington, D.C. Chapter this organization forward. A very special “we refreshed, are more alert, alive and awake, and are Lobster and Lox LLC love you” to our Grandest Dame Carol Brock more optimistic, happy, helpful, generous, and [email protected] (New York) for her vision in founding this compassionate as well as more forgiving. (410) 903-2682 organization. Let’s start sharing what we are grateful for with Executive Director One of the first to greet me after giving my GREG JEWELL other Dames. #ldeigratitude” President, AEC Management Resources acceptance speech at Conference was Jackie Bev Louisville, KY 40204 Ehlert-Mercer (New York). We spoke briefly of [email protected] how meaningful gratitude was to each of us and (502) 456-1851 x1 WINTER QUARTERLY 2020 3 Thank You On behalf of the Nashville Dames, we would like to thank everyone who traveled to the Music City to attend this year’s LDEI Conference. We would also like to thank donors, volunteers, speakers, tour leaders, chefs, Ann Stratte and the LDEI Board, Greg and his crew, plus the staff of the Loew’s Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel for making this Conference one of substance and memories. It was an honor for us to host and share our own Rhythm & Roots! We hope you were inspired, entertained, and encouraged that LDEI Conferences offer a unique look at big issues through the lens of one city. We know that keynote speaker Maneet Chauhan’s “nothing ventured, nothing gained” is the best way to approach new challenges such as hosting a conference! And for that—and for all of you—we are grateful.