Contact Us
Bev Shaffer,
Chapter President
Email
Purchase the LDEI Cookbook:
Cooking with Les Dames d'Escoffier
Featuring notable women in
the culinary field, including
Lidia Bastianich, the late Julia Child,
Alice Waters, and more –
including three Cleveland Dames!
$30 plus shipping
A portion of this cost goes to support
Green Tables Projects in Northeast Ohio supported by the Cleveland Chapter
of Les Dames d’Escoffier.
Grants
Congratulations to Veggie U, the recipient of the 2010 grant of $2000. Les Dames d'Escoffier Cleveland looks forward to your good work in fourth grade classrooms!
For information on grant applications and awards, please email Jennifer Brush.
Green Tables
Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDEI) launched a nationwide initiative called Green Tables in 2006 to help people better understand the link between rural and urban farms and their tables. Many Dames are at the forefront of this global movement to transform how we eat. Chapters around the country including Cleveland are participating in this civic agriculture and garden project, collaborating with established programs in their own communities or starting new ones.
Members of Les Dames d’Escoffier are participating in the farm-to-table revolution in a variety of ways. They are:
- Chef leaders of local farm procurement
- Farmers and gardeners
- Farmers’ market operators
- Farm-to-market leaders fostering links among regional farmers and a network of local restaurateurs, caterers, etc.
- Civic agriculture educators and journalists
- Public heath nutrition experts and educators
- Community food project developers
For more information, click here.
The Cleveland chapter provided financial support to the Tremont Urban Learning Garden, a food-growing project for at-risk city teens, in 2007 and 2008. Today, the mini-farm still offers an opportunity to build agricultural and entrepreneurial skills as well as nutritional awareness. A portion of the organic produce the teens harvested was donated to CityFresh Market, which offers fresh, local sustainably raised fruits and vegetables to low-income urban residents. The balance was purchased by Lucky's Cafe, a restaurant adjacent to the garden and owned by Dame Heather Haviland, who still plays an instrumental role in the project.
Dame Heather Haviland with Urban Learning Garden teens
Photo by Marilou Suszko
In 2008, the chapter also contributed to the Countryside Conservancy Farmers' Market Jr. Chef Program. The focus was on forging connections between kids, farmers and food producers; teaching nutritional fundamentals; and simple hands-on food preparation.
Dame Carla Snyder with Jr. Chefs
Photo by The Countryside Conservancy
In 2009, the chapter awarded a $2000 grant to the North Union Farmers Market to support their Chef at the Market educational programs. View Chef at the Market Video
Chef Mary Wills of The Good Fork cooks up local produce and educates at the market
Photo by The North Union Farmers Market