Autumn 2013 - Les Dames d'Escoffier International

and our chapter’s coveted “Legacy Award” was presented to Mrs. IsabelSanchez Wong. A $1,000 donation in her name was made to the NationalLegacy Awards for her long and arduous career in the restaurant business.Her contribution of dedication, knowledge and attention to detail havemade a huge impact in San Antonio, Texas, elevating to global recognition,Rosario’s Mexican Café y Cantina, her daughter Lisa Wong’s restaurant.The St. Anthony Hotel’s executive chef and his staff prepared a meticulousfour-course dinner accompanied by Becker Wines. Everyone enjoyed thelovely evening. We are excited about our new members: Leslie Komet-Ausburn,Debbie Gonzalez, Gina Inglett-Gonzalez and Elizabeth Kossic-Johnson and look forward to an exciting year!SeattleBraiden Rex-JohnsonIn late March, the Seattle Chapter selected five new members, andwelcomed three of them in April at a Mediterranean-inspired dinner atFareStart in downtown Seattle.Amanda Bevill is the owner of World Spice Merchants, Seattle’s premierspice, herb and tea emporium, with a retail location in the Pike Place Market.Renee Erickson is chef/owner of Boat Street Café, The Walrus and theCarpenter, The Whale Wins, and The Narwhal food truck, and co-owner ofBoat Street Pickles.Marie-Eve Gilla serves as Winemaker/Managing Partner at ForgeronCellars, which isbased in WallaWalla, Washington,with a tasting roomin Woodinville,Wa. Kari Leitch isVice President ofCommunicationsat Ste. MichelleWine Estates, whichAmanda Bevill Renee Erickson Kari Leitchis among the 10 largest wine companies in the United States. As seniordirector of international sales and marketing for Allrecipes.com, Lynn Wollworks with local teams to monetize and build audiences for the 17 Allrecipessites outside the United States.In May, Seattle Dames learned about “Digital Food Trends: Real Insightsfrom Global Kitchens,” presented by newly minted Dame Lynn Woll.Leslie Mackie, founder/co-owner of Macrina Bakery & Café, offered upassorted sandwiches, mezze platters, and cookies for dessert.In June, Seattle Dames rolled up their sleeves and met over boxed dinners tostrategize for their biennial auction entitled, “There is Nothing Like a Dame:25 Years of Giving.” The chapter’s major fundraiser will take place on Tuesday,November 12, at the Women’s University Club in downtown Seattle.St. LouisJudy EvansAs the nutritionist for NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” Cheryl Fosberg guidescontestants on their journey to healthful eating. As someone who spentseven years becoming a registered dietitian, she understands the power ofpersistence.“I thought I’d rather get it at 40 than not have it at all,” said Cheryl, whospoke via Skype with members of the St. Louis Chapter, gathered at thestate-of-the-art culinary event center at Dierbergs Markets’ flagship store.Barb Ridenhour and Marianne Moore of Dierbergs hosted the event andcooked dinner with recipes from Cheryl’s new cookbook, Flavor First.In addition to being a registered dietitian, Cheryl is a classically trainedchef and a James Beard-winning cookbook author. When she’s not workingwith “The Biggest Loser” in Los Angeles, she heads home to Napa Valley,her boyfriend and her 13 chickens. Those chickens live on her urban farm,which also features a 45 foot-square garden, a 100-year-old fig tree, persimmontrees and plum trees.She explained some of her happiest childhood memories were the summersspent at her grandmother’s Wisconsin farm. Her mother, (who used tohave an egg route), doesn’t share Cheryl’s view of farm life. “My mom stillthinks I’m crazy,” she said.The chickens are a big draw for Cheryl’s Facebook fans. She’s paying a lotof attention to social media, hiring a brand strategist to help post regularlyand answer questions. “You’ve got to get on the social media train or you’llbe left behind,” she observed.In MemoriamJanice Reece (Atlanta)1953–2013By Amy Crowell (Atlanta)It is with great sorrow that the Atlanta Chapter announces thepassing of member Janice Reece. Janicespent the last 23 years at the AtlantaCommunity Food Bank (ACFB)holding leadership roles in a variety ofpositions, most recently as Director ofMarketing and Communications.During her tenure with theFood Bank, Janice’s wide expanseof responsibilities included headingup fundraising events, creating newprograms to help Atlanta’s hungryand building on her vast network ofrelationships to bring light and voice to this important cause. Tomost of our members and much of the Atlanta hospitality community,Janice was the link to this immense but often invisibleproblem–and to solutions we could employ to help end hungerin our community.Janice became a member of LDEI Atlanta in 2006. NominatingDame Mary Moore said, “Janice was full of love, energyand the most amazing spirit. She made things happen for ACFBthrough her gentle and persuasive spirit, making no one ever feelthat their donation of time, money or otherwise was ever toolittle. On a personal level, Janice was a great mentor to me–herguidance and leadership always made me feel like we could accomplishanything, no matter how crazy it seemed.”Prior to her work in the nonprofit sector, Janice held executivelevel positions at the Peasant Restaurant Group in Atlantaas well as other restaurant establishments. In 2012, she receivedthe GRACE Chairman’s Award from the Georgia Restaurant Associationin honor of her great work in the community. She willbe profoundly missed. Donations can be made in her honor tothe Atlanta Community Food Bank at acfb.org or a fundraisingcampaign which has been set up through September 30 to helpher husband with the multitude of expenses that have accumulatedthrough her illness and passing at http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/in-memory-of-janice-reece.Jill Lewis (Austin)1960-2013The Austin Chapter of LDEI mourns the loss of Jill Lewis, thespunky powerhouse behind the salsas and condiments of thepopular local artisan food company, Austin Slow Burn. Lewisdied of esophageal cancer at age 53 on June 4. In response, hermany friends in the Austin chapter rallied to raise almost $16,000(via a GiveForward campaign supported by spirited social media)to help her family pay for medical expenses. This year’s annualAustin Chronicle Hot Sauce Contest, held on August 25, wasdedicated to Jill. Her company, Austin Slow Burn, always participatedand often won prizes.26 Les Dames d’Escoffier International