MEMBERSHIP

Les Dames d'Escoffier International, a philanthropic organization, is responsible for the formation of new chapters. Currently, LDEI is composed of 45 chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Mexico totaling over 2400 women leaders in the culinary, fine beverage and hospitality industry.

unsplash-image-t05q7TZObzc.jpg

Our vision

We are an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in our communities to achieve excellence in the food, fine beverage and hospitality fields.

To make this vision a reality, we:

- Share knowledge

- Support members

- Provide leadership, educational opportunities and philanthropic events for the community at large

Vicki Tomiser.jpeg
 

Testimonials

“I first learned of the Les Dames d’Escoffier organization when I was living in Atlanta in the mid-1990s.  A food journalist friend was a member and I was wildly envious. I was toiling away as a business attorney, and when she invited me as a guest to their events, I was always in awe of the culinary luminaries there, including my longtime then favorite chef, Anne Quatrano, and the uniquely interesting and fun programs the group offered.

Little did I know that years later, through my work as leader of the Slow Food Chapter in Marin County (CA), and then as the founder/publisher/editor in chief of Edible Marin & Wine Country, I would have “earned” my place among these esteemed ladies of the culinary world.  I was so honored to be invited to be a founding member of the Sonoma Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, and am looking forward to being a part of the important work my fellow members and I are planning to do in our region, from mentoring up and coming women in the culinary field, to supporting school gardens, and more. Women supporting women, and having a delicious time doing it! â€ś

-Gibson Thomas, Edible Marin/Wine Country

“I could not be more proud to be a part of this incredible organization. I am just getting started as one of the newest members, but I am already blown about by the support and community outreach of this organization. Women truly supporting women at the highest level and having a real impact in our community.”

-Naomi Smith, Laurent-Perrier US

How to become a member

Les Dames Sonoma is part of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. Les Dames Sonoma is based in Sonoma County. Our chapter is composed of Dames who live and work in Marin, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma Counties. Our Dames are leaders in culinary, fine beverage and hospitality industries.

Membership Qualifications:

  • Women can be invited by a current or retired Dame

  • Women can contact a particular chapter with interest in membership consideration

  • Women with 5 years professional experience in culinary, fine beverage or hospitality

  • Women who demonstrate leadership in one of these industries

  • Women who support LDEI Mission, Vision, and Basic Values

  • Women who meet the ethical standards in the Code of Ethics and have no undisclosed conflict of interest

To Be Considered For Membership:

â—Ź     Complete and sign Membership Application

â—Ź     Review the LDEI Conflict of Interest Policy and sign the Conflict of Interest Statement on the last page of this document

â—Ź     Provide a current rĂ©sumĂ©

â—Ź     Provide a letter of reference from a member of Les Dames (current or retired from any chapter)

Email all items to membership@lesdamessoco.org

Completed packets are due by 5pm on May 31, 2024.

Once your application is received and reviewed you will be contacted regarding your status.

Membership Requirements:

â—Ź     Pay annual dues of $225 by August 1

â—Ź     Be an active member of the chapter:

  • Sign up for and participate in at least one committee

  • Attend and support the annual fundraiser

  • Attend at least 2 quarterly chapter meetings

  • Provide a minimum of 10 hours per year toward committee activities, fundraising and projects

â—Ź     Be an advocate for Les Dames d’Escoffier International

â—Ź     Abide by the LDEI Mission and Guiding Principles and the member requirements

â—Ź     For new members only:  attend the Onboarding Session on July 22, 2024

  • Doralice Handal

    Doralice Handal

    PRESIDENT
    Locals Tasting Room
    Bio

  • Liza Hinman

    Liza Hinman

    VICE PRESIDENT
    The Spinster Sisters
    Bio

  • Kelly Comstock Ferris

    Kelly Comstock Ferris

    TREASURER
    Comstock Wines
    Bio

  • Lisa Stavropoulos

    Lisa Stavropoulos

    BOARD MEMBER
    Owner, Greek Grape Wine Tours
    Bio

  • Tracey Shepos Cenami

    Tracey Shepos Cenami

    BOARD MEMBER

    Chef de Cuisine
    Jackson Family Wines
    Bio

  • Barbara Barrielle

    Barbara Barrielle

    Northern Sonoma Wine Salons
    Bio

  • Betsy Nachbaur

    Co-manager, Acorn Winery & Alegria Vineyards

    Bio

  • Cindy Lasar

    Owner, Wine Country Inspired

    Bio

  • Cristina Topham

    Cristina Topham

    Chef & Owner Spread Kitchen, LLC
    Bio

  • Cynthia Ariosta

    Cynthia Ariosta

    Operating Partner Pizzeria Tra Vigne
    Bio

  • Dana Jaffe

    Dana Jaffe

    The Mill
    Bio

  • Domenica Catelli

    Domenica Catelli

    Co-owner Catelli’s Restaurant
    Bio

  • Donna Del Rey

    Donna Del Rey

    Relish Culinary
    Bio

  • Elizabeth Smith

    Freelance Journalist, Copywriter and Wine Judge
    Bio

  • Emily Haws

    Marketing Consultant
    Bio

  • Felice Thorpe

    Felice Thorpe

    Owner of Felice Foods
    Bio

  • Gayle Sullivan

    Gayle Sullivan

    Dry Creek Peach
    Owner, organic farmer
    Bio

  • Gibson Thomas

    Gibson Thomas

    Edible Marin & Wine Country Magazine
    Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
    Bio

  • Gillian Handelman

    Gillian Handelman

    Vice President of Wine Education, Jackson Family Wines
    Bio

  • Jenn Malinowski

    Chef/Owner of Wholly Bowl

    Bio

  • Julie Schreiber, consultant winemaker

    Julie Schreiber

    Consultant winemaker, head chef
    Bio

  • Kathleen Thompson Hill

    Kathleen Thompson Hill

    Chef, writer, culinary historian
    Bio

  • Kim Laidlaw

    Owner, Cast Iron Media
    Bio

  • Lisa Hasen

    Director Premium Dining Solutions, Sodexo

    Bio

  • Lise Asimont

    Lise Asimont

    Co-owner, Dot Winery
    Bio

  • Maisie Lyman

    Benchmark Wine Group
    Bio

  • Mary Beth Vierra

    Mary Beth Vierra

    Crush Course Wine
    Bio

  • Melissa Alexander

    Co-Founder of Sanglier Cellars
    Bio

  • Melissa Smith

    Founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services and Sky Somm

    Bio

  • photo of Michelle Wood

    Michelle Wood

    Owner/Chef of Dim Sum and Then Sum Catering

    Bio

  • Missy Will

    Missy Will Wine & Food Events
    Bio

  • Naomi Crawford

    Naomi Crawford

    Owner, Lunchette Petaluma
    Bio

  • Naomi Smith

    Naomi Smith

    Western Regional Manager for Champagne Laurent-Perrier
    Bio

  • Nicole Quandt

    Director of Sales and Hospitality, The Wine Group
    Bio

  • Nicole Rogers

    GriffJack and True Origins Food

    Bio

  • Rebekah Baker

    National Director of Specialty, UNFI

    Bio

  • Samantha Carpenter

    Samantha Carpenter

    Communications & PR specialist
    FeatureM PR
    Bio

  • Sarah Wuethrich

    Sarah Wuethrich

    Winemaker, Maggie Hawk Wines
    Bio

  • Serena Lourie

    Serena Lourie

    Co-owner, Cartograph Wines | B Corp
    Bio

  • Sheana Davis

    Sheana Davis

    Chef & Proprietor, The Epicurean Connection
    Bio

  • Stephanie Jordan

    Sales Manager West at World’s Best Cheese Inc.
    Bio

  • Susan Idell

    Susan Idell

    Idell Family Vienyards
    Bio

  • photo of Tamara Hicks

    Tamara Hicks

    Owner/Operator of Toluma Farms And Tomales Farmstead Creamery and Daily Driver

    Bio

  • Tara Jasper

    Tara Jasper

    Founder, SipSong Spirits & SipSong Tea
    Bio

  • Traci Dutton

    Sommelier, Wine Educator, Wine Writer

    Bio

  • photo of Tyishia Gage

    Tyishia Gage

    Director of Marketing and Events, Freelance

    Bio

  • Vicki Tomiser

    Vicki Tomiser

    Source and supplier relations
    Bio

  • Virginie Boone

    Virginie Boone

    Wine writer / reviewer
    Wine Enthusiast Media
    Bio

  • Whitney Reuling

    Executive Director, Sonoma Family Meal

    Bio

  • photo of Ziggy Eschliman

    Ziggy Eschliman

    CEO & Owner, ZigStyle

    Bio

Thank you for being part of the Sonoma County Chapter.