New Orleans Getaway for 2

Value: $1600

Explore the best of the Big Easy – just be sure to come hungry (and thirsty)

• Your adventure includes:

• 2-night stay,  Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

• $100 F&B credit, Kimpton Hotel Fontenot

• Brunch for 2 at Arnaud’s in the French Quarter

• Creole cooking class/lunch at chef Dee Lavigne’s Deelightful Roux Cooking School

• Historic French Quarter walking tour from Destination Kitchen

• 2 tickets to the New Orleans Jazz Museum, and a behind the scenes tour with Executive Director Greg Lambousy (based on availability)

• 2 tickets Historic Beauregard Keyes House & Gardens + book by Sam Wilson

• Signed copy, City Eats New Orleans by Beth D’Addono

• Valid December 1, 2026-December 1, 2027

Not valid during Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest, subject to hotel black outs and availability

Donations provided by Les Dames New Orleans Chapter
Dames Jesseca Malecki, Dee Lavigne, Julie Borreda, Katy Casparian, Sandra Dartus and Beth D’Addono

A Trip to the “It’s All That” Iowa State Fair 2027, August 12-22

Included in your one-of-a-kind experience is:

An invitation to be a judge! Depending on scheduling, you can judge one or all of the following: Dame Lana Shopes’s pie contest, Dame Eileen Gannon’s Sunday Night Foods contest, and Dame Jill Mean’s decorated sheet cakes and coffee cakes contests. You will get a tour of the “ behind-the-scenes” of this massive eleven-day food competition and meet many of the other judges. 

Plus:
6 Free Admission Tickets

$250.00 cash to spend at the fair on food, fun, music, and more food!

A private tour of the 445-acre fairgrounds.

If desired, three nights of free lodging at Dame Cherry Madole’s gorgeous home in Des Moines, Iowa.

Up to $500 toward travel or transportation costs with receipt provided.

Private tours at Iowa landmarks such as the World Food Prize, Wallace Farms, the Des Moines Art Center, and the Iowa Capitol, depending on interest and schedule.

Value: $850

About the Fair: A proud tradition since 1854, the Iowa State Fair is featured in the New York Times bestseller 1000 Places to See Before You Die and inspired the novel State Fair, three motion pictures, and a Broadway musical. Experience hundreds of mouthwatering food choices, fabulous free entertainment, and plenty of blue-ribbon competition.

Best of San Antonio

Experience San Antonio through the eyes of the Les Dames d’Escoffier San Antonio Chapter with a three-night getaway filled with exceptional food, wine, history, culture, and hospitality. This package brings together some of the city’s most beloved destinations and experiences, including restaurants, bakeries, historic landmarks, and cultural attractions owned or represented by members of LDEISA.

Your San Antonio Weekend Includes:

Three Nights at The St. Anthony Hotel
Enjoy three nights at San Antonio’s iconic St. Anthony Hotel, a historic landmark and luxurious home base for your San Antonio adventure.

A San Antonio Welcome Basket
Begin your stay with a special welcome basket featuring products from members of Les Dames d’Escoffier San Antonio.

Three Memorable Dinners:
Clementine — Feed Me for Two
Enjoy Clementine’s signature Feed Me experience for two, a family-style, seasonal journey through the kitchen of Dame Elise Russ. Located in Castle Hills, Clementine is known for globally inspired, ingredient-driven cooking, with a menu that changes regularly based on the best products available. The Feed Me experience is a relaxed, generous way to experience the restaurant and the Russ family’s approach to hospitality.

Pharm Table — $200 Dining Certificate
Visit Pharm Table, the pioneering vegetable-forward restaurant founded by Dame Elizabeth Johnson. Inspired by global flavors and a food-as-medicine philosophy, Pharm Table celebrates nourishing, plant-focused cuisine with an emphasis on whole foods, wellness, and vibrant flavors.

Mon Chou Chou or Southerleigh — $200 Dining Certificate
Enjoy dinner at either Mon Chou Chou or Southerleigh, restaurants owned by Dame Allison Balfour. Mon Chou Chou brings French-inspired cooking and European charm to the Historic Pearl (a destination in and of itself) while Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery celebrates the flavors and culinary traditions of the Texas Gulf Coast alongside house-brewed beer.

Two San Antonio Breakfasts

Dough Baby — $50 Gift Certificate
Start your morning at Dough Baby, the beloved bakery and café from Dame Nancy Fitch. Known for its handcrafted baked goods and welcoming neighborhood atmosphere, Dough Baby is a delicious stop for coffee, breakfast, and something sweet.

Guenther House — $75 Gift Certificate
Step into San Antonio history at the Guenther House, donated by Dame Donna Vaughn. Located in the historic King William neighborhood, the Guenther House combines San Antonio heritage with a beloved breakfast and dining experience, all within the beautifully preserved home of the Guenther family.

VIP Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Alamo
Enjoy an exclusive private tour for two with the Alamo Senior Historian (or the Alamo Senior Researcher, based on availability).

Go behind the scenes to explore the heroes, events, and artifacts that have made the story of the Alamo captivating for generations of Texans and visitors, including a private viewing of artifacts that are not currently on display.

The Alamo Historical Research team has more than 30 years of combined experience at the Alamo. Their deep knowledge of Texas history and passion for the Alamo’s story make this a truly special opportunity to experience this iconic landmark.

The tour will be scheduled on a mutually agreeable date and time and expires November 1, 2027.

Go Rio Cruises Riverboat Experience - Two General Admission Tickets
See San Antonio from a different perspective aboard a Go Rio Cruises riverboat, owned by Dame Lisa Wong. Cruise along the famous San Antonio River Walk while taking in the sights, history, and architecture of the city.

Re:Rooted Sommelier Cheese & Wine Experience
Enjoy a one-hour Sommelier Paired Cheese & Wine Experience for two at Re:Rooted 210 Urban Winery, owned by Dame Jennifer Beckman.

Led by the Re:Rooted sommelier team, this educational tasting explores the chemistry of food and wine pairing and the fundamentals of wine structure. The experience includes a tasting of four wines accompanied by individually packed cheese and charcuterie boxes. By appointment.

San Antonio Botanical Garden
Enjoy four passes to the San Antonio Botanical Garden and explore its beautiful gardens, trails, collections, and seasonal displays.

Experience the Best of San Antonio
From a stay at one of the city’s grand historic hotels to exceptional meals, artisan baking, Texas history, wine, river views, and the beauty of the Botanical Garden, this package offers an insider’s introduction to San Antonio.

Three nights. Great food. Historic landmarks. Local treasures. And the hospitality of the women of Les Dames d’Escoffier San Antonio.

Total Value: $4700

1 HOUR PRIVATE ONLINE CULINARY MEDIA TRAINING & CONSULTING SESSION

Take your culinary career, brand, or business to the next level with a private culinary media training and consulting session led by two James Beard Award–winning culinary professionals.

Whether you’re a chef, cookbook author, food writer, culinary entrepreneur, content creator, or food professional, this personalized session will help you develop the skills, strategy, and confidence to succeed in today’s competitive food media and digital landscape.

We’ll begin with an intake form and complimentary initial call to identify your goals and determine how we can best help you tell your story, strengthen your platform, and grow your business.

What would you like to accomplish?

• Build your personal brand? Learn how to clarify your message, strengthen your professional positioning, and create a strategic brand that opens doors.

• Improve your media skills? Prepare for television, podcasts, interviews, speaking engagements, or other media appearances with personalized media coaching.

• Develop a cookbook? Get guidance on cookbook concepts, proposals, positioning, platform development, and the publishing process.

• Grow your social media presence? Get practical guidance on content strategy, audience growth, video, social media marketing, and building an authentic online presence.

• Work with brands and monetize your expertise? Learn about brand partnerships, sponsored content, social media opportunities, and ways to turn your culinary expertise into revenue.

• Plan your next career move? Get an experienced outside perspective on positioning your skills and experience for new opportunities in culinary media, publishing, television, and digital content.

MEET YOUR COACHES

Cynthia Graubart is an Emmy Award–winning television producer and James Beard Award–winning cookbook author, Chairwoman of the Broadcast Committee for the James Beard Foundation, and a UGA Grady School of Journalism Fellow. She brings decades of experience in culinary television, food media, cookbook publishing, broadcasting, and communications.

Virginia Willis is a James Beard Award–winning cookbook author, French-trained chef, culinary producer, and media professional. She is a former Kitchen Director for the television kitchens of Martha Stewart, Bobby Flay, and Nathalie Dupree, and has extensive experience as an on-camera host, chef, writer, editor, producer, food stylist, and digital content strategist.

Together, Cynthia and Virginia bring decades of experience in front of and behind the camera, working across television, publishing, cookbooks, food media, digital content, social media, and brand partnerships.

Session: Private one-on-one 1-hour Zoom consultation

Value: 350.00

Date: Mutually agreeable date and time

Expiration: May 2027

Maria will teach a class on the power of fresh milled flour to transform all your baking. She is the multiple award-winning author of the new Baking with Ancient Grains—Mediterranean-Inspired Recipes for Living Well. Maria has milled whole flour in a tabletop mill in her kitchen all her life. She will explain why fresh flour is such a game changer, how to fresh mill flour at home, how to use it in all your baking, and where to buy fresh flour. 

The one-hour class will be taught online via Zoom and will need a minimum sign-up of 15 people.

Value: $750.00

A Chocolate Dessert Class taught by Chef Gale Gand for up to 12 people in your home on a date agreeable for both parties, in the greater Chicago area, or over Zoom. Chef Gale will demo 2 chocolate desserts plus teach the history of chocolate, how it’s grown, harvested and made into beans and bars. The class lasts 2 hours and Chef Gale provides ingredients, equipment and tastes. You provide an oven and cook top, plates, forks, and any beverage you want to consume. Perfect for 6 couples or a "Girl's Night" event. Contact chef at Galegand@aol.com to set up your date.

Restrictions
A date agreeable for both parties, in the greater Chicago or Dallas area, or over Zoom. Good for 2 years from event date.

Value: $2000

Ever wonder what it's like to write with a pointed pen to create beautifully written cards or letters? Deborah Mintcheff is offering three (3) private one-hour lessons in copperplate script (the foundational script). These lessons will take place via Zoom. You will learn the seven fundamental strokes, the in's and out's of using a pointed pen and ink,  how to write all the lowercase (miniscule) letters and begin writing words, including how to space letters and words properly. Homework with feedback is included as is phone and email support. 

Value: 750.00

The dates for the classes are from January 2027 through June 2027.

Escape to Greater Palm Springs, where breathtaking mountain views, world-class hospitality and a vibrant culinary scene create the perfect desert getaway.

Enjoy a two-night stay in a pool-view room at the newly renovated Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa in Indian Wells. Nestled against the spectacular Santa Rosa Mountains, this desert retreat offers a sparkling pool with a sandy beach, relaxing outdoor spaces, exceptional dining and access to nearby championship golf.

Your getaway also includes a $100 resort credit and a two-day car rental, courtesy of Visit Greater Palm Springs, allowing you to explore the destination's nine distinctive cities.

To complete your experience, enjoy dinner for two at a locally owned, woman-owned restaurant, celebrating the talented women who contribute to Greater Palm Springs' culinary scene. Visit Greater Palm Springs will coordinate the dining experience directly with the winning bidder following the auction.

Your getaway includes:

Two-night stay in a pool-view room at Renaissance Esmeralda Resort & Spa

$100 resort credit

Complimentary resort fee and self-parking

Two-day car rental provided by Visit Greater Palm Springs

Dinner for two at a woman-owned restaurant, arranged following the auction

Value: $1800

Valid October 30, 2026, through October 30, 2027. Subject to availability. Excludes weekends, holidays, holiday weekends, special events, projected sell-out dates, Coachella, Stagecoach and BNP tennis tournament weeks. Hotel reservations must be made within 90 days of arrival and booked directly through the resort. Room, taxes, resort fee, $100 resort credit and self-parking are complimentary. Incidentals are the responsibility of the winning bidder. Certificate has no cash value.

Car rental and dining arrangements will be coordinated by Visit Greater Palm Springs following the auction and are subject to availability and applicable provider restrictions.

Monterey:
Seat at Pie Making Class by Dame Sharon Runde: $60

The Traveling CookBook by Dame Mary Chamberlain: $40

Sacramento:
SacTown Bites Tour Ticket by Dame Heather Fortes $125

Allspicery Spice Kits: 2 kits & 1 jar hot honey by Dame Jennifer Kaye, $36

Pistachio Book by Dame Georgeanne Brennan, $29

Davis Farmer's Market Book by Dames Ann Evans & Georgeanne Brennan, $38

Gift Card for Nixtaco Restaurant by Dame Cinthia Martinez-Wise, $100

Gift Certificate & bottle of wine for The Rind by Dame Sara Arbabian, $25

San Francisco:
Gift Certificate for Doctorbird Market by Dame Danielle Fiala, $50

Assorted Dessert Sauces by Dame Emily Lucchetti, $68

Gift Certificate for Prospect Restaurant by Dames Kathy King & Pam Mazzola, $200

Socola Box of Chocolates by Dame Wendy Lieu, $88

Sonoma:
Gift Certificate to Dragonfly Farm in Healdsburg by Dame Carlisle Degischer, $75

3 Bottles of Denier-Handal Wine by Dame Doralice Handal, $105

Bottle of Salute Sante Grapeseed Oil by Dame Nanette Humer, $26

True Origin Foods Pantry Collection: four 2 lb bags of rice:

California White Basmati, California Organic Sushi Rice, California Organic White Jasmine, and Organic Quick Cooking Brown Calrose.

Two 1 lb bags of popcorn kernels, Regenerative Organic Certified Yellow and Rainbow. All grown in Northern California, just minutes north of Sacramento by Dame Nicole Rogers, $45

Set of two bottles of Oceano NA wine by Dame Rachel Martin, $120

Value: $1230

Gift certificates expire one year from auction date, unless otherwise noted.

Some items must be picked up at location.

One night at Carmel Mission Inn w/ breakfast: $430

2 tickets to Monterey Aquarium: $130

Dinner for 6: 6 course dinner with wine: cooked & served by Monterey Dames in Dame Rachel Meuller's home overlooking Pacific Ocean: $2500

Dinner reservation must be made with all parties with at least 2 weeks notice at a mutually agreeable date

The hotel will also require notice and a mutually agreeable date

The winning bidder can reach out to Rachel for all the directions as well as details regarding the aquarium tickets.

Turn your kitchen into a hands-on culinary classroom—no commute required! In this three-part series of private 90-minute online cooking classes, you and up to three guests (sharing one device) will cook a complete meal together: a main dish, side, and dessert. We’ll design the menu around what you want to learn, and you’ll receive recipes, a grocery list, and an equipment guide in advance. During the session, Sheila demonstrates each technique, then coaches you all step by step as you recreate it in your own kitchen. By the end, dinner is on the table—and the skills are yours to keep.

Sheila Crye is a Certified Culinary Professional who has spent 31 years teaching youth, adults, and seniors how to cook with confidence in Maryland. A lifelong learner, she continually explores new techniques and global cuisines. During the pandemic, she transitioned to teaching online and discovered that there’s no better classroom than your own kitchen—where skills come to life and dinner is the delicious reward. For more information, see https://mococooks.com.

Value: $495

Expires one year from the end date of the 2026 LDEI online auction. Winning bidder's food preferences will be accommodated.

Two wonderful pots from The Cook's Warehouse:

EATER + Heritage Steel Stainless Steel 4QT Saute Pan with Lid

EATER + Heritage Steel Stainless Steel 2QT Saucier with Lid

Value: $300

Shipping only available to the 48 contiguous states

A unique opportunity to own an original work created especially for the Les Dames d’Escoffier International auction by acclaimed food writer, artist and longtime London Dame Elisabeth Luard.

For this special commission, Elisabeth will turn her attention to one of the great dishes of the French culinary tradition: bouillabaisse.

Drawing on the distinctive combination of words and images that has characterised her work for decades, Elisabeth will create an original *Bouillabaisse* cartoon, complete with its accompanying story. Her food illustrations grow out of a lifetime of travelling, cooking, observing and recording the food traditions of communities around the world – often with a sketchbook rather than a camera in hand.

The result will be a completely original piece of culinary art: witty, evocative and unmistakably Elisabeth Luard – and created especially for this auction.

About Dame Elisabeth Luard
Elisabeth Luard is an award-winning author, journalist, broadcaster and artist whose work explores food and recipes through their historical, geographical and social context.

She has written extensively about the food traditions of Europe and beyond, with books including *European Peasant Cookery*, *The Flavours of Andalucia*, *The Food of Spain and Portugal* and *A Cook’s Year in a Welsh Farmhouse*, alongside four memoirs with recipes: *Family Life*, *Still Life*, *My Life as a Wife* and *Squirrel Pie (and Other Stories)*.

She received the Guild of Food Writers’ Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her contribution to food writing.

But Elisabeth is also an accomplished artist. Trained at Byam Shaw and City & Guilds, she began her career as a natural-history artist, working as a botanical artist for Kew and exhibiting at London’s Tryon Gallery. Throughout her subsequent career as a food writer she has continued to paint, draw and fill sketchbooks with the people, ingredients, kitchens and landscapes encountered on her travels.

A longstanding member of Les Dames d’Escoffier London, Elisabeth brings together everything at the heart of this auction lot: food, art, history, storytelling and a lifetime of curiosity about the way people cook and eat.

The winning bidder will receive Elisabeth Luard’s original, specially created *Bouillabaisse* artwork and its accompanying story – a true one-off from one of Britain’s most distinctive food writers and illustrators.

Value: $500

https://www.elisabethluard.org/

The Hawaii Chapter offers a taste of the Islands with this curated basket of items. Here's the list:

Big Island Bees, Dame Whendi Grad-Spiced Honey, Beeswax tea lights, Tea Towel and recipe cards

The Vanillerie-Hawai'i Grown Vanilla Extract and Vanilla Body Cream

Kona Deep Sea Salt-Sea salt from the salt farm and Magnesium drops to add to water

Oribe Tea Company-Hibiscus Mint with Mamaki Tea. Mamaki is a green tea grown on Big Island with many health benefits

Big Island Bottle Shop, Dame Gabrielle Maser-Ginger Syrup for use in tea, salad dressings, cocktails and so much more.

Kahuku Farms- Lilikoi (Passion Fruit) Butter

Hawai'i Tart Company, Dame Martha Brahm-Lilikoi Caramel Macadamia Nut Tart

Kona Mountain Coffee-Chocolate Coffee Macadamia Nuts

Cork Trivet with Puakenikeni Lei Print

Hamakua Toffee Company-Hawaiian Macadamia Nut Butter Toffee

Makai Chocolate-Koko Maka Chocolate Macadamia Nut Spread (Hawaiian Style Nutella)

Branola-organic gluten free rice bran granola with black sesame and Kinako

Value: $200

Learn some fun and tasty basics of beer with international beer judge, journalist, and author, Dame Tara Nurin. Tara will work with you to custom-design a 60-minute online event that will guide your guests through a tasting of four beers, focusing on styles, ingredients, and cooking and pairing possibilities. Consider a beer-and-dessert focus or one that features women-made beers. This makes for a great social event or team training.

Value: $250

This is an online event; guests can join online as a group or as individuals. Tara will provide a list of nationally available beers for client or guests to purchase on their own. Tara accepts no legal responsibility for client or guests.

www.eyesontheworld.us

For the avid home cook who loves quality ingredients.

Give the gift of premium ingredients to a home chef's pantry, featuring a 500ml bottle of Piro Extra Virgin Olive Oil for a finishing touch of excellence and a 750ml bottle of Cucino Extra Virgin Olive Oil, crafted for cooking at every heat.

Perfectly balanced and beautifully presented, this set is designed to inspire creativity and bring gourmet quality to everyday cooking. A thoughtful gift for those who know that great meals begin with exceptional ingredients.

An ideal choice for team acknowledgments, client appreciation, or business events.Ask us about adding a personalized note with your logo.

Kosher Certified

Value: $120

www.olio-piro.com

3 Months of Brownie Gifts: Plenty of brownie deliciousness awaits. Start off with a Fairytale 3-Box Tower that includes every treat that Fairytale bakes tucked inside purple and silver boxes and wrapped in an organza bag. Month 2: Sprite 24 - Two each of 12 different snack-size brownie flavors are individually wrapped and ready for sharing. Month 3: Ultimate Blondie, Sprite & Cookie Combo - a delightful mix of snack-size brownies, bite-size blondies and soft, chewy cookies.

Value: $290

https://www.brownies.com/

Explore the consumer needs and cultural shifts shaping today’s food and beverage marketplace with a personalized brief from The Hartman Group.

The winning bidder may select one of three topics:

What Makes Food Worth Paying More For? How consumers perceive quality, value and premium distinctions.

Wellness Meets Pleasure: How consumers balance health, flavor and enjoyment—and where they make trade-offs.

The Stories Behind the Food: What consumers value in sourcing, production and ingredient transparency.

What’s included: A concise, approximately 15-page report drawing on existing Hartman Group research, with key consumer insights and implications relevant to the winner’s business or area of interest.

Donation restrictions: Redeem within 12 months of the auction date. Scheduling is subject to mutual availability. Limited to a brief advance discussion and 1 hour of consulting for one individual or business. Consultation includes strategic guidance and relevant data points based on existing expertise; new primary research and additional consulting are not included. 

Value: $1500
www.hartman-group.com

-Autographed copy of book "Secret New Orleans: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure"

-Certificate for two (2) tickets to any of our historical or cultural tours

Tickets are valid until last day of the month two years following event.

Value: $105
www.nosecretstours.com

A 7-day cruise from any port in North America. The certificate is valid for one winner and one guest. The winner must book and sail within one year of the event. Please review the terms and conditions outlined in the fine print of the certificate, which include instructions on how to redeem the cruise.

Please email the winner’s full name to Community@carnival.com. This information is required to assist the winner when they contact us to arrange their reservation. 

Accommodations include one standard oceanview stateroom for two guests on a cruise not to exceed seven (7) days, departing from any port in North America. Guests may upgrade to standard balcony accommodations at their expense, subject to availability. Additional third, fourth and fifth guests can be added to the booking at prevailing market rates. Prize includes cruise fare. Guests are responsible for applicable taxes, fees, port charges and pre-paid gratuities at time of booking. Guests must book and sail within one year of the event. Prize recipients must be 21 years or older. Carnival does not guarantee that the prize will be available on the exact sailing dates requested by the winner. Travel is subject to capacity control, availability, blackout dates (including, and not limited to, major holidays, Spring Break and Alaska/Bermuda cruises) and certain other restrictions, all of which are subject to change. Additional terms and conditions apply. Cruise travel is subject to terms and conditions contained in the passenger ticket contract. This certificate is non-transferable, has no cash value, and cannot be combined with other promotions.

Please contact community@carnival.com to make the reservation. Farecode CPKC.

Value: $1900
https://www.carnival.com/