Tag Archives: culinary arts

The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier Now Accepting New Member Nominations and Applications for 2023-2024 Induction

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) is now accepting new membership applications through May 31, 2023, with the aim of furthering its mission to support and nurture the next generation of women leaders in the food, fine beverage, and hospitality industries.

Prospective members may be nominated by existing LDEI-SF chapter members or may self-nominate by applying directly to the organization. Self-nomination was introduced as on option for the new member applications in order to foster a more equitable nomination process and to further the organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion.

"The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier strives to propel and support women and diversity in positions of leadership across the many facets of the hospitality industry," said Frankie Whitman, First Vice President, and Membership Committee Chair, Les Dames d'Escoffier, SF Chapter. "Last year, LDEI-SF inducted ten new members to bring our chapter membership to over 130 strong of accomplished leaders in food, beverage, wine, hospitality, publishing, media, public relations, and agriculture. We are excited to welcome in a new cohort that will continue to propel our organization forward."

LDEI-SF is especially interested in applications from young, diverse candidates eager to actively contribute their time and talent to grow within the chapter. Active membership includes attending at least two member events per year and participating in the organization as a volunteer, committee member, chair, host of an event, or member of the Board of Directors.

To be considered, members must have at least five years of professional experience as a leader in the food and wine industries and have a commitment to and involvement in community service. Members must also agree to support Les Dames d'Escoffier's vision, basic values, and philanthropic missions of Scholarship, Business Development for women, and Fellowship.

To apply, applicants must secure a letter of recommendation from a current Dame of the San Francisco Chapter. If the self-nominating applicant who meets the membership criteria does not know a current member, one will be appointed to write a letter of recommendation and later act as their chapter liaison for the first year. For a complete list of requirements and to apply, please review the application page on the LDEI-SF website.

Completed applications will be accepted through May 31, 2023. The Membership Committee recommendation and the vote of the Board determine membership acceptance.

For questions regarding nominations or applications, please contact LDEI-SF Membership Chair Frankie Whitman at frankiewhitman@gmail.com.

About Les Dames d'Escoffier International:

LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage, and hospitality fields. To do this, 2,500 members in 43 chapters worldwide provide leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy within their communities. For more information, visit LDEI.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @lesdamesintl and LinkedIn.

About Les Dames d'Escoffier International - San Francisco Chapter:

The San Francisco chapter of LDEI, founded in 1989, provides programs and philanthropy to support its members and nurture the next generation of culinary leaders. More information on the San Francisco chapter of LDEI can be accessed at lesdamessf.org. Follow our chapter activities on Instagram @lesdamessf and on Facebook.

The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) is now accepting new membership applications through May 31, 2023, with the aim of furthering its mission to support and nurture the next generation of women leaders in the food, fine beverage, and hospitality industries.

Related link: https://lesdamessf.org/

Asheville Couple Cooks to Travel and Guests Are Signing Up

ASHEVILLE, N.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Founded in March 2015 by Liisa Andreassen and John Godts, Cottage Cooking in Asheville, North Carolina, was first started to fund the couple's passion for travel. Over the years, it's evolved into a business where others can share their travel and culinary experiences too. To date, together, they've traveled to 11 countries, four continents and 36 states. They always bring back some new culinary knowledge and are eager to showcase it.

"The business kind of started as a lark," Liisa Andreassen, the business's co-owner, says. "We had some friends over and taught them how to make sushi. One of our friends - said, 'you should do this!' Do what we asked? Make sushi? 'No, give cooking classes in your house.'"

That's all this dynamic couple needed to hear. They were off and running. John Godts, a hospital physical therapist by day, quickly sprang into action and started posting fliers at his workplace. Andreassen, a freelance copywriter, tapped into her marketing and PR skills to help spread the word.

"It's been such a fantastic experience," Godts says. "It's a win-win. We get to do something we love - cooking and entertaining - and we get paid for it to boot. Wow! That's pretty awesome."

And, of course their guests benefit too. Most people who sign up for classes have looked at the couple's website, which has been recently re-designed to take online bookings and payments, and find that this is not your average cooking class. Photos and videos help to illustrate the experience so guests can really get a feel for the place before clicking that "book" button.

"Most folks who sign up for a cooking class with us are looking for something different," Andreassen says. "They don't want a traditional cooking class with 15+ people. They want something intimate and a maybe even a little unfamiliar."

Cottage Cooking classes host up to six in their cottage-style home in North Asheville. They'll also go off site to people's homes and Air B and Bs for larger groups of up to 12. And, the couple really works to keep things fresh.

"We've added a few new classes to the schedule including a Moroccan cooking class as well as football foods and Hawaiian BBQ," Godts says. "We're constantly working to create new and fun culinary experiences for our guests."

A recent guest, Stu Helm, also known as "The Food Fan," is an Asheville-based food writer and influential voice in Asheville's food scene.

He recently took a class and shared his experience in a podcast here - https://stuhelmfoodfan.substack.com/p/good-morning-friends-479.

"We love meeting new people and sharing tales of travel, food and adventure," Andreassen says. "So, for anyone looking for a cooking class that's a little outside the box - or pot - come see what we're cooking up."

About Cottage Cooking:

Cottage Cooking classes are designed for the home cook and a typical class is designed like a dinner party where guests prepare and eat an appetizer, main course and dessert. There's also a Saturday morning baking class once a month. These classes make for a great date night or ladies' night out. The company has also built a reputation in the business for hosting fun bachelorette parties and family reunions. In addition to a schedule which can be found on their website, they'll also design custom dates and menus as requested.

Classes range from $85 to $125 and private classes for two are $300. All classes are BYOB. Gift certificates are also available.

MORE INFORMATION:

https://cottagecookingasheville.com/

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cottage.Cooking

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cottagecookingasheville/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbW9jFa2DTZB_dhqpvrrBEA

Founded in March 2015 by Liisa Andreassen and John Godts, Cottage Cooking in Asheville, North Carolina, was first started to fund the couple's passion for travel. Over the years, it's evolved into a business where others can share their travel and culinary experiences too. To date, together, they've traveled to 11 countries, four continents and 36 states. They always bring back some new culinary knowledge and are eager to showcase it.

Related link: https://cottagecookingasheville.com/

444 Discovers an Abundance of Functional Food at Alta Vista Botanical Gardens

SEATTLE, Wash. /ScoopCloud/ -- Danielle Keogh, co-founder, 444, LLC, a business passionate about the culinary art of functional beverage and expert mixology, continues a nationwide tour interviewing sustainable businesses within the food and beverage industry. While exploring the U.S.'s southwest, Keogh discovered Alta Vista Botanical Gardens (AVBG), a treasure trove of plant medicine.

Naomi Stein, vice president, AVBG, welcomed Keogh with open arms and applauds the devotion of Alta Vista's volunteer board members who have worked to create such a wonderful space.

"The functional ingredient movement is alive and well here," she says.

In 1999, the city of Vista, California opened this 14-acre property to the public with a mission to bring people, nature and art together and they're doing just that and more.

AVBG plans to celebrate Earth Day by offering the community a free event where they can connect with nature on an artistic level. Vic Moraga will be live on guitar, while children can conjure recycled art, and families can discover numerous gardens with functional ingredients.

Edible delights can be found throughout. The medicinal herb garden has aloe vera, white sage, horehound, ginkgo trees, chaste trees, jojoba trees, tabebuia trees and more.

In the culinary garden, herb adventurers will find a rich variety that includes everything from spearmint, the caper bush, fennel, lemon verbena and lemongrass to hops, oregano, Thai basil, several varieties of sage, ginger, bay leaf tree, rosemary and thyme.

The children's garden is an ideal place for the younger set to learn about rare fruit trees such as Cherimoya, Loquat, pomegranate, several varieties of banana and dragon fruit.

Nancy Jones, a retired elementary teacher, also known as "Farmer Jones," gives a monthly class for AVBG members and their children. She teaches them how to garden and also heads a cleanup group, Loser's Litter, where participants help to keep the community free of debris. Additionally, she'll be overseeing the Earth Day Festival.

Other functional food events are happening all over in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

HERE'S A GOOD SAMPLING:

Who: Nancy Jones/Alta Vista Botanical Gardens
What: Earth Day Festival
Where: Vista, CA, 1270 Vale Terrace Drive Vista
When: Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Who: Rose Walker/Le Jardin Verde Garden
What: Tree Care
Where: Albuquerque, NM, 538 Utah St. NE
When: Saturday, April 23, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Who: Cole Daeschel/Cedar Grove Greenhouse, Nursery and Farm
What: Santa Fe Farmers' Markets | Santa Fe Railyard
Where: Santa Fe, NM, 1607 Paseo De Peralta
When: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Who: Dirk Hermann/Planet Mushrooms
What: Calabasas Farmers' Market
Where: Calabasas, CA, 23504 Calabasas Rd
When: Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Who: Creation Family Farms
What: Brentwood Farmers Market
Where: Brentwood, CA, Oak St and, 1st St
When: Sundays from 9:00 a.m.to 1:00 p.m.

Who: Roberto Ramirez/Mountain Meadow Mushroom Farm
What: Free Mushroom Compost Pickup
Where: Escondido, CA, 26948 N Broadway
When: Every Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Two other options include a free 15-minute consultation with LA Garden Supply owner Leonard Song on how to grow sustainably indoors or discover delicious concoctions of plant medicine at the Realm of 52 Remedies in San Diego that will evoke your senses.

About 444 (4 Forty 4):

444, LLC is dedicated to discovering ways to learn, grow, and collaborate to capture healthy, exciting, unique options for beverages. By partnering with and supporting small businesses throughout the U.S. within the functional ingredients and sustainable farming sectors, 444 is committed to providing current information about the industry.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Anyone interested in sharing their or others' stories, can visit: https://444.farm/

Explore Midwest farmers at: https://444.farm/category/west-coast/

For more information about AVBG: https://444.farm/2022/04/10/alta-vista-botanical-gardens-vista-california/

MULTIMEDIA:

*VIDEO (YouTube) https://youtu.be/vjrhtk9jIVo

Video caption: Alta Vista Botanical Gardens | Earth Day 2022 | Vista, California.

Danielle Keogh, co-founder, 444, LLC, a business passionate about the culinary art of functional beverage and expert mixology, continues a nationwide tour interviewing sustainable businesses within the food and beverage industry. While exploring the U.S.'s southwest, Keogh discovered Alta Vista Botanical Gardens (AVBG), a treasure trove of plant medicine.

Related link: https://444.farm/