Les Dames d’Escoffier New York

Abbondanza! – Fund-raising for Scholarship

 

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.
Notable Les Dames d’Escoffier New York Events

Charter awarded to Carol Brock to organize “Ladies Charter of New York Chapter for Les Dames d´Escoffier.”


French Embassy Investiture of fifty “high-achiever women” in food, wine and hospitality.

 

Julia Child honored as the First Grande Dame at a premier black-tie dinner at the Carlyle Hotel that is attended by James Beard.

 

 

Les Dames' Historic Waldorf-Astoria Dinner prepared by fifteen young women chefs and members of LDNY with Executive Chef Dame Leslie Revsin.

 

MFK Fisher inducted as a Grand Dame at the New York Public Library trustees' room at a reception and supper with Celeste Holmes, who read from Fisher’s works.


Paul Bocuse Invited Les Dames to Lunch at Brooklyn Tech for a groundbreaking recognition of, and apology to, women chefs in the kitchen.

 

Top Women Hotel Owners Honored in New York. The women traveled from Rome, Hamburg, Argentina, the Philippines and America to receive awards from LDNY.

 

Women of Wineshowcased at a Saks Fifth Avenue, New York, fund–raiser.


Sara Moulton, LDNY´s first scholarship winner, was awarded an internship aboard a cruise ship destined for Cuba.

 

New York City Mayor Dinkins Hosted a Christmas Dinner for 100 at Gracie Mansion. The dinner is planned, prepared and served by LDNY to celebrate former women inmates who were ready to return to the workforce.

 

Week of Women in Gastronomy designation from City of New York. Rainbow Room dinner fund–raiser nets $68,000. Escoffier’s grandson and great grandson attend.


Les Dames Community Outreach Initiative teaches culinary skills to inmates at Riker´s Island.


20th Anniversary Gastronomic Tour of Sicily, Italy.

 

Nobel Prize Winner, Gunter Blobel, Spoke at Genetically Modified Food seminar honoring the LDNY.


Abbondanza! fund-raiser at the Rainbow Room honoring Dame Lidia Bastianich is hosted by Isaac Mizrahi. Several hundred guests, including Martha Stewart, attend the event. The live and silent auctions net $124,000 to support the Make a Difference Scholarship Fund.

 

 

A Sampling of Additional Events

 

• Induction Ceremony and Luncheon held at Daniel Restaurant

 

• Vietnamese New Year event held at Tet Restaurant in the East Village

 

• Cheese Tasting held at Murray's Cheese Shop, hosted by Dame Liz Thorpe

 

• Salon event with Dame Florence Fabricant interviewed by Dame Patricia McCann

 

• Online Networking Seminar about Face Book and LinkedIn

 

• Induction Ceremony and Dinner held aboard the Abigail K yacht, New York harbor

 

• Spring Lunch held at Payard Patisserie and Bistro

 

• Wine and Food event from the Italian Alps tasting

 

• Risotto Program held at San Domenico Restaurant

 

• Handcrafted Cheese talk and tasting presented by Dallas Dame Paula Lambert

 

• Salon event with Dame Roberta Morrell interviewed by Dame Deborah Mintcheff

 

• Oyster Tasting at the French Culinary Institute

 

• Salon event with Dame Abigail Kirsch interviewed by Dame Lila Gault

 
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