The day was October 15, 2007… and after a year of planning and hard work, Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Abbondanza! fund–raiser took place. Nearly 200 New York Dames and their guests arrived at the Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center for one of their favorite things—raising funds for scholarship. And what a success the event turned out to be! Over $120,000 was raised that evening for our Make a Difference Culinary Scholarships, to be awarded to future “Dames in the making.”
The event began with a VIP reception, where the event honoree, Dame Lidia Bastianich, autographed books for the reception attendees, while guests nibbled on hors d’oeuvres and sipped a signature cocktail. The dinner was kicked off by Master of Ceremonies Isaac Mizrahi, who humorously roasted Abbondanza! Culinary Chair Mario Batali. Four-star chefs worked their culinary magic and served a special elegant dinner. Chef Jacques Pépin, a long-time supporter of Les Dames New York, painted and donated a whimsical menu of the event, which was auctioned off. After some intense bidding, Martha Stewart prevailed, then graciously presented the watercolor menu to Lidia as a memento of the event.
The evening flowed with perfection, thanks to Event Cochairs Roberta Morrell and Rita Jammet and their capable and enthusiastic committee. The silent action, expertly organized by Dame Melanie Young increased the LDNY scholarship fund. To read more about Abbondanza!, click here.
Master of Ceremonies Isaac Mizrahi poses with his idol and honoree Lidia Bastianich during a memorable Abbondanza! moment.
Board Of Directors
President
Beth Allen, a cookbook author with over 25 years experience, has produced 22 cookbooks. Her expertise includes being a cookbook author, producer, food writer, recipe developer, and speaker and a consultant to food corporations.
Vice President
Melanie Young is the president of M. Young Communications Inc., a food, beverage and hospitality marketing communications and special events company.
Treasurer
Nancy Jessup is the executive chef of Mangia, a cookbook author, consultant and a supporter of Community Supported Agriculture. When not overseeing the Mediterranean fare Mangia is known for, she can be found at the farmers market seeking inspiration and great local produce.
Secretary
Gale Steves heads a home industries consulting company, Open House, where she helps clients with special projects, including strategic product positioning, product branding, custom publishing, line extension development and lifestyle market forecasting.
Directors at Large
Alison Awerbuch is Executive Vice President and Partner of Abigail Kirsch Catering Relationships, an on and off premise catering and special events business in the New York Tri-State area.
Patricia Cobe. Pat is Senior Editor of Restaurant Business magazine.Prior to this position, she was an editor with Hearst Magazine Enterprises, a contributing writer for magazines and websites and the
co-author of four books. She has a B.S. from Cornell and an M.S. in Journalism from Boston University.
Nora Favelukes, whose counsel and industry expertise are legendary, is the go-to person for many of the most successful producers around the world. Named head of Wines of Argentina in 2007, Nora’s other prominent clients include Carolina Wine Brands and Bernard Magrez.
Sharon Telesca Feurer is a seasoned marketing professional in the hospitality industry. She has spent the majority of her career in New York City representing and promoting four- and five-star hotels such as The Four Seasons, The St. Regis and Hotel Plaza Athenee and working with The New York Times awarded four-star restaurant Lespinasse.
Jenifer Lang was the Managing Director of the 3-star Café des Artistes restaurant in Manhattan for 20 years. She is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and has published several books on the subject of food, including Larousse Gastronomique, which she edited. Currently, she is the author of the weekly column "Tastings," published on 212dressingroom.com
Harriet Lembeck is the President of the renowned educational Wine & Spirits Program. She is also a contributor to Beverage Dynamics Magazine, and the author of the sixth and seventh editions of Grossman’s Guide to Wines, Beers, and Spirits.
Roberta Morrell is the highly visible and energetic President of The Morrell Group, one of New York’s oldest and most prestigious wine retailers. She was instrumental in moving the retail shop to Rockefeller Center and opening the award winning Wine Bar in Manhattan, offering over 100 wines.
Linda Pelaccio, a culinary historian, specializes in culinary media training for TV and live presentations. She is a writer/producer, and the radio host of "A Taste of the Past," a weekly interview program about culinary history on the Heritage Radio Network.
Janeen Sarlin is the owner/president of Cooking with Class, Inc. She is also a chef, author, caterer, teacher and newspaper columnist.
Judith Weber is a partner with her husband, Nat Sobel, in the New York–based literary agency Sobel Weber Associates, whose client list includes a number of distinguished food writers as well as authors of fiction and other types of nonfiction.
Immediate Past President
Deborah Mintcheff is a highly regarded food consultant, project editor and cookbook editor who specializes in packaged books. She is also a recipe developer, food writer and consultant to major food corporations.
