LES DAMES D’ESCOFFIER DALLAS CHAPTER 17TH ANNUAL RAISER GRAZER -

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450 attendees enjoyed a festive evening during the 17th annual Raiser Grazer, presented by the Dallas Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. The evening celebrated Wine, Women, and Food in History with an extraordinary dine around culinary feast on Sunday, March 2, 2003 at Abbotsford Court, Addison.

Along with sumptuous delicacies and carefully selected wines, attendees delighted in seeing noted “Dallas Dames” dressing in the resemblance of their favorite historical characters as part of the celebration of National Women’s History Month. Highlights included Karen Cassady and Mynetta Cockerell (Marty's) alias “Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane” and Dotty Griffith (The Dallas Morning News) as our modern day “Belle Starr”, all dished up old west favorites. Lori Finkelman Short (Sodexho at Exxon Mobil) flipped savory pancakes as Aunt Jemima; Sharon Hage (York Street) posing as Juliette Low, founder of Girl Scouts, served up gourmet S’mores; and Shari Carlson (Dessert Dreams) an impressive Marie Antoinette let everyone “eat cake”! Also seen at the event were the likeness of Julia Child, Helen Corbbit, and Betty Crocker.

The evening also included a fabulous silent auction, live music, and a cookbook extravaganza. Some of the silent auction items included a two-night weekend stay for two with club access at the new Ritz-Carlton New York, Central Park South (a $1,500 value) and a one week stay in a two-bedroom beach cottage (Little Kahuna) in Galveston (a $1,050 value). And, as usual, there was an incredible selection of wines and restaurant packages.

Sponsors of the 17th Annual Les Dames d’Escoffier Raiser Grazer include: Culinaire International, Ben E. Keith, Texas Pork Producers Association, Seafood Supply and Abbotsford Court.

Over the past 16 years, the Dallas Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, a prestigious group of more than 70 women working in culinary industries, has raised more than $650,000 for educational apprenticeships and scholarships; funding of culinary libraries, educational programs, and a variety of other issues that relate to the education and advancement of women in the fields of food, fine beverages, hospitality, and art of the table. New for 2002 included a philanthropic donation to the Kramer Elementary School Edible Garden Project and Girls, Inc.

2003 Raiser Grazer Chef List:

Shari Carlson, Dessert Dreams as Marie Antoinette
Tsuki Caspary-Brooks, Dolci as Liliuokalani (last queen of Hawaii)
Helen Duran, Central Market as Catherine D'Medici
Lynn Mattie and Students, El Centro Community College as Julia Child
Liz Baron, Blue Mesa Grill as Frida Kahlo
Karen Cassady / Mynetta Cockerell, Marty's as Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane
Kay Agnew, Margaux's as Marie Laveau
Paula Lambert, The Mozzarella Company as Copia
Shelley Barsotti / Andy Hagar, Food Company as Ima and Ura Hogg
Dotty Griffith, The Dallas Morning News as Belle Starr
Beth Sonnier, El Centro Community College as Elizabeth I and Anne Boleyn (and students)
Sharon Hage, York Street as Juliette Low (founder of Girl Scouts)
Christine Carbone, Wall's Catering / Aimee Padden, Gourmet Foods as Gertrude Stein / Alice B Toklas
Lori Finkelman Short, Sodexho @ Exxon Mobil as Aunt Jemima
Monica Greene, Ciudad as Evita Perone
Mary Kimbrough, Zale-Lipshy Hospital as Florence Nightingale
Jennifer Brightman Moschel, Sodexho at Verizon as Helen Corbbit
Mary O'Brien, The Dream Cafe as Georgia O'Keffe