10 L e s D a m e s d ’ E s c o f f i e r I n t e r n a t i o n a l
The Atlanta Chapter serves upSouthernHospitalityto the LDEIBoard of DirectorsSusan Fuller Slack (Charleston)In late July, the LDEI Board of Directors convened in Atlanta,Georgia for their annual summer board meeting. <strong>Dames</strong> met at theSt. Regis Hotel, located in the elegant enclave of Buckhead. Thehotel’s French Art Deco design and extensive art collection readilylend themselves to the atmosphere of a grand private home. Originalart is also displayed in the guestrooms and suites.But the many charms of this Georgia peach were overshadowedby the gracious hospitality of the Atlanta Chapter <strong>Dames</strong>. Hospitalityhere is practically an art form and deeply rooted in the localSouthern culture.Inspiration in the Board RoomStanding in for President Teresa Farney (Colorado), First VicePresident Sandy Hu (San Francisco) called the meeting to orderFriday afternoon in the John Jacob Astor Board Room. An airlinessnafu in Australia created an unavoidable delay in Teresa’s return trip,so she joined the meeting via conference call.The business agenda included a review from Mary Ellen Griffin(New York) on the Chapter Presidents’ Survey that is being refined forthe conference Leadership Forum. Barbara Petit (Atlanta) providedan overview of Green Tables history and shared her plans, goals andconcerns for this important LDEI initiative. One of several positiveoutcomes of the board discussion is the integration of GT’s websiteinto LDEI’s website. Gloria Smiley (Atlanta) met with the board todiscuss LDEI current banking practices. The group also discussedthe annual Palm Springs meeting, including the development of aconference mission statement and evaluation form. President Teresagave a progress report on the LDEI auction. Marie Kelley (San Diego)discussed revisions being made on the LDEI brochure.“Too much of a good thing can be wonderful!” Mae WestThe Friday workday concluded with a top-notch dinner at Paces 88American Bistro. Conveniently located in the St. Regis, the bistro wasproclaimed one of the 20 best new restaurants in America by JohnMariani in Esquire magazine. This was the first of several opportunitiesfor the board to socialize with the Atlanta <strong>Dames</strong>. Wrapped inSouthern culinary tradition, the distinctive prix fixe menu featuredScottish salmon, Maryland Crabcakes with Short Rib Tortelloniand Grilled Beef Tenderloin. Atlanta Dame Megan Gray, Directorof St. Regis Food and Beverage, selected the exceptional menuand coordinated the lovely event. Each Dame was thrilled to finda special keepsake at her place setting. Thank you Megan, for beingthe consummate gracious hostess during the evening.Saturday evening, the Atlanta <strong>Dames</strong> whisked the board membersto the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Buckhead for cocktails and light horsd’oeuvres. The timeless sophistication of the polished, mahogany-paneledwalls in the reception area enhanced the regal LDEI ice carving andmagnificent display of French cheeses. Peter Zampaglione, acclaimedRitz-Carlton Executive Chef, mingled with the <strong>Dames</strong> while PastryChef James Satterwhite created a “garden” of beautiful pulled sugarflowers. All the <strong>Dames</strong> were delighted that Grande Dame ShirleyCorriher was in attendance. Upon leaving, each Dame was given alittle “sugar therapy” in the form of a treat bag with homemade Frenchmacaroons. A special thank you also to Atlanta Dame Sandra Ryder,who is the Area Director of Public Relations, Ritz-Carlton Hotels.The South has risen again – and so has Canoe Restaurant in thehistoric Vinings area after the banks of the Chattahoochee overfloweda year ago causing a flood of biblical proportions. The restaurant hasbeen named one of the “Best New Restaurants” in the country by theJames Beard Foundation, and is widely acclaimed in every significantfood publication. With Dame-Chef Carvel Grant Gould (Atlanta)presiding over the kitchen, the evening began with champagne andappetizers in the restaurant’s prolific vegetable garden overlookingthe now-tranquil river.Chef Gould joined the <strong>Dames</strong> in a private dining room for severaladventurous courses, explained in detail by Canoe’s exceptional waitstaff.The contemporary Southern dishes provided an unparalleled diningexperience featuring a variety of fresh seasonal tastes and texturesthat included miso-marinated Alaskan halibut (sourced by the chef),succulent lamb, seared scallops with rhubarb sauce, artisanal bakedbreads and dark chocolate soufflé cake with fresh mint ice cream.Every aspect of the board’s final event deserved high praise and wasa “taste” of things to come during the 2011 Atlanta conference.Accolades to Carvel Grant Gould, Chapter President Andrea Caseand all the Atlanta <strong>Dames</strong> for creating a truly memorable weekend.CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LDEI board members and Atlanta <strong>Dames</strong> enjoy champagne in the vegetable garden at Canoe Restaurant. L-R: Front Row: Sandy Hu, Mary Ellen Griffin, Carolyn O’Neil,Mary Moore, Kathy Gottsacker , Dottie Koteski and Suzanne Brown. Back Row: Kathleen Perry, Barb Pires, Gena Berry, Dana Dabruzzi, Holly Beach and Andrea Case.. Canoe’s Butter-Pop Ice Creamwith House Made Cracker Jack topping. Dana Dabruzzi, Chef Carvel Grant Gould and Barbara Pires. A trio of appetizers was served in the garden at Canoe. <strong>Dames</strong> enjoying Canoe’s prolific gardens.Canoe’s exquisite Corn Soup with Avocado Cream and Parmesan Crisp. A succulent lamb and risotto dish at Canoe.Photos: Susan SlackF A L L Q u a r t e r l y 2 0 1 0 11
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