Booze
Charleston Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International Announces “Nothing Like Les Dames Week”
The Charleston Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI), a worldwide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage, and hospitality, presents “Nothing Like Les Dames Week”, taking place October 16th to 20th. This five-day series of Dame-hosted events will feature cooking demonstrations, wine and cocktail tastings, and food and beverage pairings with some of Charleston’s most acclaimed female chefs, sommeliers, and hosts.Events range from a biscuit demo with Carey Morey from Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit to afternoon tea with Grand Dame Nathalie Dupree, and take place at various locations around Charleston. Guests can purchase tickets online at dames.brownpapertickets.com.
“We are so excited to announce LDEI Charleston’s first-ever Nothing Like Les Dames Week!,” LDEI Charleston President Carly Paume said. “We can’t wait to introduce Charleston locals and visitors to our outstanding group of female industry leaders doing what we do best – cooking, hosting guests and having fun! And the best part is that the proceeds go to help young women who need a hand getting started in our industry.”
See below for a complete schedule:
Wednesday, October 16
- 3 pm – 4:30 pm
- Afternoon Tea, Nathalie Dupree’s historic downtown home
- As if still paying homage to our mother country, Charlestonians are steeped in the love of tea.
- Guests can enjoy afternoon tea with Grande Dame Nathalie Dupree and Lowcountry hostess Paige Crone, founder of Charleston Protocol. In Nathalie’s drawing room at her home in historic downtown Charleston, guests will savor sips along with her homemade tea biscuits, among other goodies, while learning about the history of taking tea, tea protocol and tales of tea through the ages. Don’t mess with a Southerner and their tea; after all it was taxation on tea that helped fuel the Revolution.
- $50/person
- 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Cs the Day Happy Hour, 159 Rutledge Avenue
- anya Gurrieri of Salthouse Catering & Events, along with Emma Lesesne-Booth of Duvall Catering are teaming up with cocktail influencers Johnny Caldwell and Taneka Reaves, aka the Cocktail Bandits, for a special happy hour of mouthwatering appetizers and creative craft cocktails featuring vodka from Cathead Vodka.
- $45/person
- 6 pm to 7:30 pm & 8 pm – 9:30 pm
- Chocolate & Beer Pairings, Christophe Artisan Chocolatier
- Guests will join Carly Paume from Christophe Artisan Chocolatier and Jen Kulick from Tattooed Moose for a special tasting of unique chocolates paired with beers.
- $40/person
Thursday, October 17
- 4 pm – 5:30 pm
- Biscuit Demo, Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit
- Mastermind behind Callie’s Hot Little Biscuit, Carrie Morey will lead guests through a biscuit-making demo and tasting with cookbooks, biscuit mix and freshly baked biscuits to take home.
- $125/person
- 6 pm – 7 pm
- Ice Cream & Cookies, 159 Rutledge Avenue
- Take ice cream from Cirsea’s Owner (and International Gelato Ambassador) Kelly Chu and cookies from locally-owned Grey Ghost Bakery and what do you get? Maybe ice cream sandwiches, maybe just plain delicious! There may or may not be alcohol y’all! It IS happy hour, after all!
- $50/person
Friday, October 18
- 5 pm to 8 pm
- Wine & Bites with Three Dames, 159 Rutledge Avenue
- Fresh from years as executive chef at the famous Magnolia’s, Kelly Franz is working with Celebrity Chef Mike Lata these days. She brings her culinary skills to the beautiful 159 Rutledge Avenue along with two friends: Executive Chef of Ms. Rose’s Fine Food & Cocktails Amanee Neriouz and Executive Pastry Chef at The Obstinate Daughter and Beardcat’s Sweet Shop Andrea Upchurch. Amanee will be serving up delicious savory bites while Andrea will be dishing out sweet treats to end the evening. Guests will also be treated to sparkling wine and cocktails throughout the evening.
- $45/person
Saturday, October 19
- 6 pm to 9 pm
- Supper, Stories and Sunset on the Ashley, Susan Wigley’s Home
- Guests will enjoy cocktails and conversation with Nathalie Dupree and her husband, writer and scholar Jack Bass, on a beautiful dock as the sun sets on the Ashley River. A signature cocktail, wine and Lowcountry nibbles will be provided by Dames Donna Gustafson and Lisa Buzzelli who teaches at the Culinary Institute of Charleston. A Lowcountry Boil, aka Frogmore Stew, will be cooked outdoors and eaten traditionally on the banks of the river, before capping off the festive autumn evening with a signature Lowcountry dessert from Wildflour Pastry.
- $125/person
Sunday, October 20
- 1 pm to 2 pm
- No Whining, All Winning: Blind Tasting 101 at Edmund’s Oast Exchange
- Famed Certified Sommelier Sarah O’Kelly will lead guests through a blind wine tasting at her charming Edmund’s Oast Exchange. Attendees will leave knowing more about wine and the regions where grapes are grown, with the option to take home some of the great vino they sampled at 15 percent off.
- $25/person
- 3 pm to 5 pm
- For the Love of Duke’s, Robin Griffith’s Home
- Duke’s Mayonnaise has long been the mayo of choice in homes and restaurant kitchens across the South, and it turns out the versatile condiment can do more than just make the perfect tomato sandwich. Guests will join Dame and Food Stylist Ashley Strickland Freeman as she shares a sneak peak of recipes and tips from her new cookbook coming out next summer: “The Duke’s Mayonnaise Cookbook: An Ode to the Perfect Condiment.” Guests will sample recipes from the cookbook, hear about the background of Duke’s which originated in Greenville, S.C., learn about the history of mayonnaise in the South from Professor David Shields and take home some Duke’s swag bags.
- $75/person
A portion of “Nothing Like Les Dames Week!” proceeds will benefit its annual signature charity, Fresh Future Farm, and help provide scholarships to area women pursuing culinary and hospitality degrees or advanced education in the field. Since 2011, the LDEI Charleston Chapter has awarded nearly $65,000 in scholarships.
Stay up to date on the latest information through the Nothing Like Les Dames Week Facebook event.
About Les Dames d’Escoffier
LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, fine beverage, and hospitality professions. Over 2,400 members in 43 chapters provide leadership, educational opportunities, and host philanthropic events within their communities. For more information, visit LDEI.org or @LDEIdamesdescoffier on Facebook.
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