FALL 2010 - Les Dames d'Escoffier International

Boston CelebratesFifty Yearsin Party StyleBy Lucille Saccone GiovinoGuest of Honor Michel Escoffier stands with Dinner Chairman LucilleGiovino. Lucille’s silk-satin gown was first worn by her mother, DameEda Saccone, in 1959 at the first dinner of Les Dames des Amisd’Escoffier, a group which she founded. Eda again wore the beautifulnavy gown in the same year as mother-of-the bride at Lucille’s wedding.In 1992, Les Dames des Amis d’Escoffier became the BostonChapter of LDEI.Photo by Edson DiasSixty Dames and guests dined in true epicureanfashion on April 10, 2010 at the Omni ParkerHouse, one of Boston’s oldest and finest hotels. Asan honor fittingly bestowed, the Fiftieth AnniversaryDinner was dedicated to our Founder and GrandeDame Eda Saccone on her 100 th birthday.Holding fast to Escoffier tradition, the historicallycorrect eight courses were scrupulously prepared byExecutive Chef Gerard Tice. Our wine connoisseurs,Leslie Lamb and Lisa Miller-Ryan, choseappropriate wines for each course. The celebratoryevent started in a festive and upbeat manner duringthe reception hour and increased throughout theentire dinner.Comments from attendees include: “Exceededexpectations,” “Quite thoroughly the best dinnerever,” “Service excellent,” “Space beautiful” and“Food superb.” Rave reviews from the attendees canbe credited to the committee, which included all thepast presidents: Dames Diane Cardell-Wheeler,Katherine Christie, Ana Costa, Rose Ann Francis,Lucille Giovino, Denise Graffeo, DorothéeRubin-Szuch, Joan Sweeney, Gwen Trost,and Simone Williamson; Barbara Spencer; andthe executive board of Anne Hopkins, Lee Napoli,Joan Sweeney and Jocelyn Wise.Guest of honor Michel Escoffier delighted us withhis bon mots and charming presence. He has becomea frequent guest and dear friend of the BostonChapter for over twenty years. We congratulate himon his new position as President of the FondationAuguste Escoffier. Guest and author Amanda Hesser,whom the Boston Chapter had sponsored for studyin France, was unable to attend as she was deepinto compiling all the New York Times recipes intoone huge volume. We sorely missed her but realizedwhat a mammoth task she had undertaken and6 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