I am honoured to announce that our Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter welcomed ten new members from across the province! I am a member and on the board and am super proud of this group and all we do! Also note we’ve got Summerdine coming up August 12, 2015. More here.
The ceremony took place mid-dinner at Café Medina, where Bartender of the Year Lauren Mote shook up a watermelon-gin cocktail made with Unruly Gin, and Chef Jonathan Chovancek created a special three course menu for fifty attending Dames. President Dame Becky Turner Paris welcomed the ladies and Dame Caren McSherry emceed the proceedings. Generous local wine donations were paired perfectly with dinner from Okanagan Crush Pad, Mission Hill Family Estates, Moraine Estate, and Tinhorn Creek Winery. Each guest was also provided a bottle of flaxseed oil from Dame Alana Peckham.
Les Dames members from all over British Columbia gathered to welcome:
Ali Ryan – Spinnaker’s Gastro Brewpub, Executive Chef, Victoria
Allison Markin – All She Wrote, Founder & Owner, Penticton
Dana Hauser – Fairmont Waterfront Centre Hotel, Executive Chef, Vancouver
Elizabeth Manville – Cactus Club Café, Product Development Chef, Purchasing + QA, Vancouver
Jackie Kai Ellis – Beaucoup Bakery & The Paris Tours, Founder & Owner, Vancouver
Lana Popham – MLA for Saanich South & Opposition Spokesperson for Agriculture & Food, Owner of Barking Dog Vineyard and Farm, Victoria
Lise Magee – The Listel Hotel & Forage, Director of Marketing & Communications, Vancouver
Mandy Hamilton – Culinary Capers Catering & Special Events, Event Planner, Vancouver
Monika Walker – Okanagan Grocery- Artisan Breads, Owner/Head Baker, Kelowna
Susan Mendelson – The Lazy Gourmet, Cookbook author & caterer, Vancouver
In addition, Dames were recognized for twenty, ten and five year membership milestones.
About Les Dames d’Escoffier:
Les Dames d’Escoffier is a leadership culinary and hospitality organization composed of women who have not only achieved success in their professions, but who contribute significantly to their communities. The BC Chapter now has sixty-one energetic and influential members to further our volunteer work across the province.
Scholarship Fundraising: Les Dames d’Escoffier’s purpose is to promote the understanding, appreciation, improvement in supply, education and advancement of food, wine, hospitality, nutrition, food technology and the arts of the table. We have raised over $100,000 over the years and, this year, awarded a record $21,000 in scholarships to twenty-two deserving women.
