Les Dames Celebrate “Culinary Insider’s Weekend”

If you consider yourself an avid cook or just someone who likes to eat in Chicago, you better clear your calendar next weekend.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of its founding, the local chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier is planning a series of events and classes all over the city Sept. 7 – 9, calling it a Chicago Culinary Insiders Weekend.

Highlights include walking tours of Argyle, classes on chiles and lunch at Frontera Grill, a reception honoring Julia Child at the French Pastry School and behind-the-scenes tours of Eli’s Cheesecake Factory and the Spice House. You can also have breakfast with Ina on the 9th. For a complete listing of events, click here.

While Auguste Escoffier has long been considered the father of French cuisine, Les Dames d’Escoffier has been promoting women in the culinary arts, including wine and hospitality. The Chicago chapter has provided more than $300,000 in scholarships to women and donated nearly $200,000 to a variety of community organizations to further their mission.

The weekend will raise funds for their culinary scholarship program, but also build awareness for the Les Dames organization locally and throughout the Midwest. Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI), is a nonprofit group with chapters in 28 cities or regions including London and British Columbia. The Chicago Chapter, founded by the late Elaine Sherman, began with just a handful of professionals, but has grown to 102 members in 2012.