WINTER 2015 The Best Begins in CONFERENCE BOSTON COVERAGE ABOUT THE COVER Boston (L-R) Front row: Anne Hopkins, Reta Martin, Lucille Giovino, Karen Moss. Second row: Lisa Ekus, Leslie Lamb, Isabel Chesak. Third row: Erin Tracy, Susan Chused Still, Guida Ponte. Fourth row: Judith McDonough, Judith Akerman, Robin Cohen. Fifth row: Gloria Cabral, Juliana Lyman, Roberta Dowling, Jennifer Wolcott. Sixth row: Rose Ann Francis, Ellen Callaway, Julie Burba. Seventh row: Anne Rarich, Lee Napoli (Boston President), Toni Manning. Back row: Ellie O'Keefe, Louisa Kasdon, Judy Mattera, Joan Sweeney. FROM THE EDITOR The Ties That Bind WINTER 2 O15 The Best Begins in Boston! In 1959, Les Dames des Amis d’ Escoffi- er formed as a confederation of wives and friends of Boston’s all-male Les Amis d’ Escoffier. In 1992, the women’s group became affiliated with the professional women’s society, Les Dames d’ Escoffier Interna- IN THIS ISSUE tional (LDEI), founded in New York by Carol Brock. In a salute to LDEI, the Boston Chapter hosted the 2014 Annual Conference, attracting a record number of attendees. FEATURES The rich and varied programing centered on strategic planning, Welcome to Boston leadership, philanthropy, and work-life balance. Sara Moulton's 4 keynote speech and collaborative discussions on gender equality 5 Opening Speeches issues for women culinary professionals resonated with Dames. Solutions and inspiration flowed like fine wine in the fast-paced 6 Pre-Conference Tours sessions; many covered in this issue. Dames ARE shattering personal glass ceilings, thanks to visionaries like Carol Brock and 8 Leadership Forum Julia Child, who mastered French cooking when few American chefs of either gender had done so. 9 GCI Breakfast Philadelphia Chapter’s 30th anniversary bash is featured on page 28. Five chapters will celebrate 2015 anniversary mile- Partner Luncheon 10 stones: San Antonio (20), Hawaii and Miami (15). Charleston (10), and London (5). 12 Conference Sessions Thanks to the Dame-contributors and photographers in this 16 Chapter Photos issue. Dottie Koteski (Philadelphia) is our new Member Mile- stones editor, replacing Hayley Matson-Mathes, now LDEI 18 Legacy Awards Luncheon Third Vice President. Thanks especially to our partner's for conference support. President Lori Willis says, “Partners can ac- 20 M.F.K. Fisher Banquet complish their vision and mission through us.” Charleston––site of this year’s conference––has many historic 28 Philadelphia 30th Anniversary ties to Boston. Both are at the epicenter of American history with numerous "firsts." Boston and “Charles Towne” were regarded DEPARTMENTS as sister cities in colonial times; the gentry summered in Boston and wintered in Charleston. As the seeds of Revolution were 22 Chapter News sown, “Charles Towne” residents were busy confiscating British Member Milestones tea while Bostonians were busy dumping it. When Parliament 26 enacted the Boston Port Act and closed the city to shipping, 31 Submission Guidelines “Charles Towne” quickly sent aid in the form of rice. Thank you, Boston Dames, for a stellar conference and for a firsthand look at your distinguished history. I hope all of our Dame sisters visit Charleston in October. Let's take this sister act on the road, and keep the momentum going! —Susan Slack, Editor, Winter Quarterly 2 Les Dames d’Escoffier International PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE 2015 LDEI BOARD OF DIRECTORS The mission of the LDEI Board is to Dames Spark Inspiration and Hope foster the growth and success of the organization by supporting the Across the Globe development of new and existing chapters and by implementing program initiatives. It provides leadership, guidance, It is a privilege to offer my first address as Presi- education, connectivity, and effective dent and provide a recap of some of our finest communication among LDEI members. work at the 2014 conference. President Founder Carol Brock once said the LDEI LORI WILLIS Annual Conference is more than education and Director of Communications Schnuck Markets, Inc. information sharing, “It’s that wonderful enthu- 11420 Lackland Rd. siasm and joy that the members take back with Ballwin, MO 63146-3559 them––the synergy––it’s like lighting a sparkler, (314) 994-4602 | [email protected] you know?” I thought that was an appropriate First Vice President way to describe what the 2015 Board and I plan MARIA GOMEZ-LAURENS Manager, Hospitality, HelmsBriscoe to do in the next year. I want to light a spark of 11241 Avenida del Gato inspiration and common purpose within all of San Diego, CA 92126 our 1900 members. (858) 633-7515 | [email protected] You’ll hear more about our ideas, but first Second Vice President ANN STRATTE things first! Boston, the self-proclaimed “City Owner, My Personal Chef of Firsts” can add another to the list. A record- 100 Severn Avenue, #506 breaking 250 Dames converged on the Royal Annapolis, MD 21403-2622 Sonesta Hotel for the 2014 Annual Conference (410) 903-2682 | [email protected] of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI)! Third Vice President HAYLEY JO MATSON-MATHES Congratulations to Former President Beth Owner/Culinary Consultant Allen, Boston President Lee Napoli, Co-Chairs 2333 Kapiolani Blvd #3516 Judy Mattera and Joan Sweeney, and Educa- Honolulu, HI 96826 (808) 941-9088 | [email protected] tion Coordinator Louisa Kasdon for a unique Secretary conference experience that showcased Boston SHARON M. OLSON talent and introduced new targeted education Executive Director, Culinary Visions® Panel 345 North Canal Street, Apt. 1407 tracks for seminars. highlights, including Quarterly Co-Editor CiCi Sara Moulton and the roundtable were rivet- Chicago, IL 60606 Williamson’s presentation on taking better pho- (312) 280-4573 | [email protected] ing, and I couldn’t agree more with Sara’s ob- tos––it was positively pixelating! Treasurer servation that while opportunities for “women The Council of Delgates welcomed a new STACY ZEIGLER in white,” have improved over the past two chapter in Nashville, approved with 46 found- Director of Sales, Bold American Events decades, “it’s not the best.” Thanks, in large part, 2929 Surrey Lane ing members! Congratulations to Nashville Atlanta, GA 30341 to women like Sara who continue to command President Nancy Knoepfel (also a New York (678) 302-3232 | [email protected] respect as pacesetters in the food world, oppor- Dame) and LDEI First Vice President Maria Chapter Board Liaisons tunities increase for us all. Gomez-Laurens for their work in chartering DEBORAH MINTCHEFF Project & Ckbk Editor/Food Writer/Copy Editor/ We thank all of our valued partners, returning our 30th chapter! and new, who helped make this conference a Recipe Devel/Co-Active Life Coach Mark your calendars for October 29-Novem- Live Forward Coaching unique opportunity to learn about new prod- ber 1, 2015. The Charleston team is already at 129 East 69th Street ucts, equipment, and services while delivering New York, NY 10021-5000 work tailoring an experience unique to their (212) 879-0383 | [email protected] a superb dining experience. We could not do it region and to the needs of our members. I’ve without you! DEBORAH ORRILL tried to give you a good overview, but confer- Culinary Consultant Legacy Awards scholars and hosts helped ence is something you have to experience for 64 Vanguard Way remind us of our purpose, while M.F.K. Fisher yourself. And, when you do, you will find that Dallas, TX 75243 (214) 343-0124 | [email protected] honoree Nina Mukerjee Furstenau, author of it energizes you, and it helps you reach the goals BEV SHAFFER the award-winning book Biting through the you’ve set for yourself and for your chapter. Skin: An Indian Kitchen in America’s Heartland, Corporate Chef, Vitamix World Headquarters If you attended the Boston conference, try to 3433 Blake Road shared how she discovered hers. The Columbia, recapture and sustain the energy that we all felt. Seville, OH 44273 Missouri teacher captivated us with her story of Let's send it out across all the chapters, as if we (440) 781-7202 | [email protected] how a banana casually tossed from one child to are passing a sparkler into the night––its tail Immediate Past President another set her out on her life’s path. BETH ALLEN trailing from one exceptional member to anoth- Founder/President, Beth Allen Associates Inc Chapter Board Liaisons (CBLs) led a stimulat- er, connecting through powerful partnerships 347 W 22nd Street, Suite #9 ing Leadership Roundtable that allowed for the and changing the lives of people in its path. New York, NY 10011-4683 sharing of information and best practices. At- (212) 206-1138 | [email protected] torney Jackie Henson was back by popular Executive Director GREG JEWELL demand! She provided guidelines on operat- President, AEC Management Resources ing chapters as businesses and updated us on Lori Willis P.O. Box 4961 new 501c3 guidelines. And check ldei.org for President, Les Dames d’Escoffier International Louisville, KY 40204 (502) 456-1851 x1 | [email protected] WINTER QUarterlY 2015 3 The Best Begins in BOSTON CONFERENCE COVERAGE Boston Conference Lead Team Dear Dames, (L-R): Louisa Kasdon, Chef We are so thrilled to Judy Mattera, Joan Sweeney receive all the “love” coming CFP®. our way after the Annual Conference in Boston Chapter Boston. As a chapter we were up for the challenge that made the conference a joy to execute. President Lee Napoli of hosting our sister Dames in our home city. As all Come back and see us! We think we kept you so chapters before us, we worked long and hard for a busy (we were a little busy too) that you might have year or more to make the conference happen. As all missed some of the richness and tradition that is the LDEI chapters that have hosted a conference Boston.