ANNUAL FUNDRAISER SUPPORTS EDUCATION AND OUTREACH
Mark Wednesday, August 12th on your calendar for a unique dinner party as Les Dames d’Escoffier BC Chapter presents Les Dames Summerdine – Canada’s largest concurrent dinner party unfolding on one night only at more than 30 different restaurants, wineries, cooking schools and culinary venues across the province (see attached backgrounder for full list). This year Summerdine’s theme is ‘Celebrating Our Roots’ in recognition of 2015 being designated the International Year of Soils.
Some confirmed Metro Vancouver locations include: gluten-free dinner for eight at Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks created by a Chef Jennifer Peters of Nextjen Gluten Free, six seats at the Chef’s Table in the newly renovated Provence Marinaside, four seats on the patio at Rustique Bistro on Bowen Island, six seats over-looking the kitchen at Wild Rice Market Bistro in New Westminster, four seats at the charming Siena on South Granville, ten seats which could be purchased individually or bought as a group at the ‘2014 Restaurant of the Year’ The Farmer’s Apprentice, four seats at Vij’s (and we all know how hard it is to get in there), six seats in the Lounge of the multi-award-winning The Pear Tree in Burnaby, or dinner for four created by the maestro of Thai cuisine, Montri Rattanaraj at his eponymous Thai Cuisine by Montri in Kitsilano as well as many more locations in the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island and Okanagan Valley. Full participant list.
Regardless of the location, all diners are treated to a specially-designed multiple-course menu, wines selected to complement that menu, a special table and an opportunity to meet and chat with the chefs and restaurateurs. The price is $79 per person for dinner with wine (gratuity not included). Not a bad deal when you consider the price of a good meal including wine or how hard it is to get reservations at some places. Seats go on sale June 15 at www.lesdames.ca and are sure to sell out quickly.
Les Dames are pleased to welcome the British Columbia Wine Institute as Summerdine’s Wine Sponsor. The event will feature specially paired BC VQA wines at many of the dinners. BC VQA (Vintner’s Quality Alliance) is the appellation of origin and quality standard for the wines of British Columbia.
In conjunction with the dinner parties, Les Dames will also be hosting an on-line auction opening on Wednesday, July 29th at 7 a.m. and closing on the evening of Summerdine (August 12th) at 11:59 p.m. The auction prize is an Okanagan Weekend Get-Away for Two including: two-nights at The Cove Lakeside Resort with a bottle of Bella Rosé Sparkling Wine in your room, dinner at Salted Brick, followed by cocktails at 27. Approximate retail value is $800. Auction link here.
Les Dames Summerdine is a fundraiser to benefit the scholarship and community outreach programs of Les Dames D’Escoffier BC Chapter. “This year we awarded more than $21,000 in scholarships to women of all ages and backgrounds so they could begin or further their education in the fields of culinary, beverage or hospitality. This would not have been possible without the success of Summerdine. It continues to grow every year and it is so gratifying to see the culinary community’s support for it,” says Annette Rawlinson, Les Dames Fundraising Chair.
Les Dames D’Escoffier is an international association dedicated to supporting the advancement of women in the hospitality and culinary domains as well as fostering industry excellence through educational and charitable activities. Each year the BC Chapter produces events to raise funds in support of these endeavours.
For information on Les Dames D’Escoffier BC Chapter and updates on Les Dames Summerdine:www.lesdames.ca and Facebook or follow us on Twitter @LesDamesBC / event hashtag #LDSummerdine
For information on Les Dames d’Escoffier International: www.idei.org
