So I heard about a wonderful event happening on Saturday that I wanted to share with you all.  It’s called CUISINE, CULTURE & COMMUNITY: A Global Celebration of Women & Food presented by Les Dames d’Escoffier International, Philadelphia. The Philadelphia  Chapter is a talented and philanthropic group of chefs, restaurateurs, cookbook authors, bloggers, media personalities, wine and spirits specialists, educators, nutritionists and farmers, hosting a fundraiser benefiting its Educational, Scholarship and Green Tables initiatives.

Attendees of CUISINE, CULTURE & COMMUNITY: A Global Celebration Of Women & Food will have the opportunity to meet renowned cookbook author, TV personality and current Grand Dame, Nathalie Dupree, who will serve as keynote speaker and sign copies of her new book, Mastering the Art of Southern Cooking.

The Symposium presenters include flavor expert, Marcia Pelchat (Monell Chemical Senses Center), Amy Hoopes, Chief Marketing Officer, EVP, Global Sales of Wente Family Estates Vineyards, Dame Angie Brown hosts a panel featuring Chef Tia McDonald (The Vetri Foundation for Children) and Delilah Winder on Breaking the Color Barrier in the Kitchen; local legend Chef Georges Perrier and Charlotte Calmels (Bibou) are panelists for Women and Their Role in the French Kitchen, led by Chef Michèle Haines of the Spring Mill Café; and Chef Marta Quintana who will teach a hands-on Cuban Cooking class. Gluten free/vegan baking is also on the menu, served up with a special appearance by Jason Roberts from The Chew.  Underwriting sponsors include ShopRite^tm, The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, Roland Foods, and ESCA Enterprises, Inc.

WHO: LDEI Philadelphia; lesdamesphiladelphia.com

WHAT: CUISINE, CULTURE & COMMUNITY: A Global Celebration of Women & Food

WHERE: The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, 4207 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104

WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 2013 • 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., plus an Afternoon Reception

WHY: To raise funds for LDEI Educational, Scholarship and Green Tables initiatives, as well as shine a light on the many talented individuals working in the culinary, hospitality, farming, beverage and education fields with whom the organization has relationships. And of course, to have lots of fun savoring what the Dames enjoy most: thinking about food.

COST: Registration of $105, includes breakfast, lunch, all sessions & afternoon reception but a promotional price of $75.00 will be offered to all of you! Simply register for the event under the “professional member registration” rate on the website.

This looks like it’s going to be a wonderful event! I hope to see you there!