I've been a member of the San Diego chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International for two years. This month I was elected to the chapter's board of directors and will serve as second vice president--in charge of PR and media. Julie Darling of Just Call Us Catering/Kitchen Rental/Volunteers has been elected to the board as well and will serve as third vice president, handling our chapter's programs. Chef Tricia McCormick is our third newly elected board member and will be secretary. We join President Marie Kelley, First VP/President Elect Candy Wallace, Treasurer Carol Blomstrom, and Past President Linda Bills. Already we have two events for the summer planned for our newly expanded membership and are looking forward to a year packed with education, fundraising, and networking.

Les Dames d’Escoffier is the only organization of its kind: a worldwide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality. The LDEI-San Diego Chapter offers educational, networking, and just plain delicious programs for professional culinary women, as well as opportunities to mentor promising women who want careers in the food, beverage and hospitality industries.We work to advance the significance of foods and beverages in bridging cultural barriers. And, we create and support ways to give back to San Diego, including providing culinary scholarships to women and supporting the LDEI Green Tables initiative.