Testimonials

As a new Sonoma County transplant, this has been a wonderfully welcoming group for business, friendship and community.  I love this network of 50ish women whose first response to connect, support, work together is - yes!  Dames near and far - our chapter or in chapters across the nation- are connected so much that we have professional friends in every corner.  -Nicole Rogers

“I love being a Dame because I am surrounded by amazing and inspiring women. I love the opportunities to collaborate and the mentorship opportunities.” -Cindy Lasar

“I love being a Dame because I enjoy meeting new like-minded women, seeing friends that I never get to see enough of and learning about Dame's businesses.” -Susan Idell

“The opportunities to grow and the support to thrive outside of my comfort zone. Being a Dame gives me a chance to trace back to my roots & honor the people who have inspired me to join this organization.” -Emily Haws

“I get inspiration from amazingly accomplished women in the culinary industry. I love the opportunity to connect and help young women. This is the most generous group of women I have met.”   -Sonoma Dame

“I love the new friends I have made as a Dame. I enjoy the expertise of our members and how openly we all share. I really like the national and international Dames I have met.” -Sheana Davis

“Les Dames pushes me to do what I can beyond my comfort zone, not so easy! I love meeting different Dames and discovering what they do. I love sharing my business with everyone.” -Nanette Humer

“I love meeting new people, knowing what is happening in other committees and seeing women I like that I don’t see that often.”   -Sonoma Dame

“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! “ -Gibson Thomas

I love being a Dame and for being a part of Les Dames Sonoma because I get to take part in the opportunities to help our community. I love the ability to network with women leaders in hospitality and fine beverages on the local and national levels. I love our educational get-togethers to learn about wines, various cuisines and spirits.   -Sonoma Dame

“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

I love being a Sonoma Dame because of our grant program for young businesses, the diversity of our membership, the MFK prize and the new symposium.   -Sonoma Dame

“Being part of a rich diverse organization of leaders is inspiring. The ability to contribute to the legacy of hospitality in our region through volunteerism is so important.” -Doralice Handal

Being a Dame means Community-women supporting women; Networking-women helping women; Mentorship-women organizing programs to mentor women.  -Sonoma Dame

“The inspiration and the support of being part of Les Dames Sonoma is phenomenal. The encouragement from fellow members is terrific.  I have made many new friends and have enjoyed nice experiences outside of our events and meetings.  The Sonoma Chapter is young and we show how amazing women in wine country work on collaborating to support women in the hospitality industry.”     -Stephanie Jordan

I am a Dame because of the sense of community I feel. I love being able to amplify the importance of our cause.  -Sonoma Dame