Nurture Knowledge at Georgia Organics Conference Feb. 16-17

Grow skills while your garden’s hibernating for winter. Gardeners and those itching to know more about organics, farming and food can plow down I-20 to Augusta over the weekend of Feb. 16-17 for this year’s Georgia Organics Conference. Be inspired and invigorated by farmers, educators, advocates, exhibitors and Augustans as they share techniques, heartwarming tales of kids adoring broccoli and ways to make clean food more accessible. The Farmers Feast, featuring keynote speaker chef Steven Satterfield, caps the weekend of farm tours, field trips, workshops and educational sessions -- including a full day of culinary training led by members of Les Dames d’Escoffier. Satterfield, executive chef/co-owner of Miller Union and author of “Roots to Leaf: A Southern Chef Cooks Through the Seasons,” will share his own journey of discovering links between eating seasonally, protecting our health and safeguarding our natural environment.

Go on an Eating Outing with Chefs and Farmers: Les Dames d’Escoffier International Afternoon in the Country on Nov. 5

Chefs from 5Church Atlanta, Aria, Brine Seafood Shack, Chicken and the Egg, Marlow’s Tavern, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, Ormsby’s, Revival, Seed Kitchen + Bar, Storico Fresco Alimentari and other top Atlanta restaurants are headed to Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club this Sunday, Nov. 5 to serve their specialties under the big-top tents at the 17^th annual Afternoon in the Country hosted by Les Dames d’Escoffier International. Farmers from our area’s best farms will pair up with chefs alongside fine wines and premium microbrews for this 1-4 p.m. tasting-style event. Foxhall, near Douglasville, is a short 35-minute drive from downtown Atlanta -- making for a deliciously idyllic Sunday afternoon field trip. Entertainment sprawls on Foxhall’s expansive lawn with live music by Theresa Hightower and her jazz band, a cake raffle featuring sweets from Atlanta’s best pastry chefs and an expansive silent auction offering dining and travel packages and food and wine merchandise. Buy tickets online, $125 for adults 21 and over. Note: there are no children’s activities at this year’s event.

Atlanta Les Dames d’Escoffier Hosts Dinner Celebrating Summer and Giving to Raise Scholarship Funds Aug. 24

Chefs need greens. And not just for salads and sides. They need scholarship monies to cover the costs of culinary education and honing skills. Atlanta’s own chapter members of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) work tirelessly in and out of the kitchen planning culinary education events and unique fundraisers to assist student chefs in reaching their goals. On Thursday, Aug. 24, The Cook’s Warehouse, Wüsthof USA and the Atlanta Chapter of LDEI are hosting a grand opening VIP cooking demonstration and dinner party at the newest location of The Cook’s Warehouse in Chamblee’s Peachtree Station. Wüsthof USA executive chef Mike Garaghty and Dame Gloria Smiley lead the 6:30-9 p.m. fundraising event. All proceeds benefit the LDEI Culinary Futures Scholarship that goes out to one female high school senior pursuing a degree in culinary arts, hospitality or a related field. Alliyah White-Amos, the 2017 Culinary Futures Scholarship recipient, will be on hand and working with chef Garaghty to help prepare this amazing meal. The evening’s delicacies include hickory-smoked picanha crostini with chimichurri aioli; chilled avocado soup with seared ancho lobster and crema; grilled Georgia peach and burrata on local baby greens with balsamic; chef Gloria Smiley’s butternut squash ravioli; espresso-rubbed lamb chops with minted sour cherry glaze and sweet corn succotash; and a dessert of chocolate decadence with raspberry coulis. $119 per person; reserve your seat here.

Gotta Get Out of the City for an Afternoon in the Country November 6

Goodbye city slick, hello country casual. Atlanta chefs are heading out of town for an Afternoon in the Country on Sunday, November 6 from 1-4 p.m. The culinary corps includes chefs from Bellina Alimentari, Chicken and the Egg, Drift Fish House & Oyster Bar, Marlow’s Tavern, Milton’s Cuisine & Cocktails, Ormsby’s and Seed Kitchen & Bar who will join other top chefs, caterers and local farmers (including White Oak Pastures and Milton’s Acre) to present enticing fare in a tasting format along with fine wines and premium micro-brews. The 16^th annual event, hosted by Atlanta Les Dames d’Escoffier International, unfolds under the big-top tents on the expansive lawns of Foxhall Resort & Sporting Club in Douglasville. Lots of space and lots of entertainment: live music, one-of-a-kind cake raffle stocked by top pastry chefs and a silent auction flying high with exclusive dining and travel packages and food and wine merchandise. (Note: no children’s activities planned this year.) Buy tickets online, $125 for adults 21 and over; free parking.

Graze Away an Afternoon in the Country with Atlanta’s Best Chefs and Les Dames d’Escoffier International on November 8

Slip away from the urban jungle and head south to Chattahoochee Hills to nibble, nip and while away an Afternoon in the Country with Les Dames d’Escoffier International - Atlanta Chapter (LDEI|ATL). Continuing a 15-year tradition, autumn’s most eagerly anticipated gourmet gathering will draw Atlanta’s top culinary and local farm talent to big-top tents set on the beautiful grounds of the Inn at Serenbe on Sunday, November 8. A sampling feast awaits attendees perusing the 100 tasting stations for creations by Gerry Klaskala of Aria, Shaun Doty of Bantam + Biddy and Chick-a-Biddy, Joey Ward of Gunshow, Andreas Müller of Revival, Olivier Gaupin of Saltwood Charcuterie & Bar, Doug Turbush of Seed Kitchen & Bar and Stem Wine Bar, and Matthew Ridgway of The Southern Gentleman -- not to mention the fine wines and premium micro-brews. Entertainment spans all ages with live music, a cake raffle featuring sweets from the city’s most talented pastry chefs, hayrides, children’s activities and an extensive silent auction offering exclusive dining and travel packages, food and wine merchandise and original art from prominent local artists. Event proceeds benefit Georgia Organics, Wholesome Wave, Global Growers Network, The Giving Kitchen, The Wylde Center, The Atlanta Community Food Bank and LDEI|ATL’s scholarship fund for women in the culinary, beverage and hospitality arts. Idyllic Serenbe will be clean and serene after the anticipated 2,000 attendees head home because LDEI|ATL is committed to sustainability and zero-waste practices. Tickets cost $125 for adults, $50 for ages 16 to 20 and $35 for ages 13 to 15. Tickets for children 12 and under are free. Add a dash of tech by downloading the Afternoon in the Country app for iPhones and smartphones. 

13th Annual Afternoon in the Country Celebrates Under the Big-Top Tents November 3

Skip the city and head to the country to indulge in the company of Atlanta's top chefs, gourmet eats and an atmosphere that can't be beat under the big-top tents at the 13th Annual Afternoon in the Country. Presented by Les Dames d'Escoffier International - Atlanta Chapter (LDEI),The Inn at Serenbe is the place to be this Sunday, November 3 from 1-4 p.m. Gardens and meadows galore provide a tranquil background for those lucky enough to get a ticket to the sold-out event. Who's on the list, you ask? Culinary kings like Aria, Bantam + Biddy, Gunshow, King + Duke, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, Marlow's Tavern, No. 246 and The Optimist, just to name a few. For an even sweeter treat, top Atlanta pastry chefs create sweet-tooth cravings for all ages. Aside from food and fine wine, the event will also feature micro-brews, hayrides, children's activities, live bluegrass music by DriveTrain and upscale retail. Plus, a silent auction sends guests home with dining and travel packages, food and wine goodies and artwork by prominent artists. Proceeds from the event support LDEI Atlanta's philanthropic, educational scholarship and grant initiatives. 

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late: Get Tickets Now for Afternoon in the Country at Serenbe on November 4

  

Each year, tickets sell out fast to the Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI)-hosted Afternoon in the Country at Serenbe. With good reason too, since the event features chefs and food from Atlanta's top restaurants, caterers and farms along with wines, micro-brews, select retailers, live bluegrass, a silent auction, children's activities, hayrides and more in the beautiful gardens surrounding the Inn at Serenbe near Palmetto. Net proceeds benefit the Atlanta LDEI Scholarship Fund for women. Click here to purchase tickets today!

Our Appetizing Aperture of the Week

This week's Appetizing Aperture (a scrumptious salted caramel cake by Angie Mosier) is a delicious memory from a past Afternoon in the Country! Lucky for us that the event returns to Serenbe on Sunday, November 6 from 1 - 6 p.m. With sweet and savory bites from Bold American, Briza, Double Zero Napoletana, South City Kitchen, La Tavola Trattoria, JCT. Kitchen,No. 246, White Oak Pastures, Marlow's Tavern and more, it's bound to be a tasting guests won't soon forget!

It's Follow Friday; Meet Our Tweep of the Week @angiemosier

Angie Mosier has way more than one bun in the oven.  For the past 20 years, Mosier has been baking cakes with many being featured in Food & Wine, Veranda, Town & Country and Elegant Bride magazines plus books on entertaining.  That led to her becoming a food stylist. 

Now she's traveling the nation, gathering photos and recipes to fill "Truck Food Nation," a book in the works by John T. Edge.  She's the current board president of the Southern Foodways Alliance and a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier, Women Chefs and Restaurateurs and the International Association of Culinary Professionals.  And she still has time to Tweet and blog! 

Spending the Afternoon In The Country

With the perfect fall weather lately, I can't think of a better time to get out of the city and enjoy the countryside. This weekend, I plan on doing just that at the 10th Annual Afternoon in the Country at Serenbe. The annual Sunday afternoon event -- on November 7 this year -- features some of Atlanta’s best chefs, area farmers, premium micro-brewers and select retailers. I'm looking forward to checking out JCT. Kitchen & Bar, The Cook’s Warehouse and Woodfire Grill among many others!

Even better, food and wine are just the tip of the iceberg at this outdoor party. Drivetrain plays bluegrass, and there’ll be a pastry chef- supplied cake raffle, hayrides, food and wine merchandise, original art by prominent artists and a silent auction where dining and travel packages are up for bidding. Proceeds from the afternoon event benefit Les Dames d'Escoffier International and the Atlanta Chapter’s scholarship fund as well as Georgia’s organic farming community. Purchase tickets now before the event sells out!

My Fave Food Event

Atlanta has tons of great food events and I enjoy attending them all. I must say that my personal favorite, year after year, is the Les Dames d'Escoffier* "Afternoon in the Country" at Serenbe. The chefs are top-notch and they really bring out their best dishes. There's lots of wine. Micro-brew beer. Great music. Beautiful setting. And the ticket price ($95) supports culinary scholarships and organic farmers. Some of our clients will be there: Aria, Ecco, JCT Kitchen, La Tavola and Woodfire Grill. This year's event is Sunday, Nov. 8. They appear to still be selling tickets so you might want to nab one now.

*I'm a member of Les Dames.

Harry's Farmers Market Celebrates Julia Child's 97th Birthday

As featured in DailyCandy’s Weekend Guide, Harry’s Farmers Market and local chefs are coming together to celebrate Julia Child’s 97th birthday on Saturday, August 15. The day will include live cooking demonstrations and cookbook signings from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The following chefs will perform live cooking demonstrations. The Union Restaurant Executive Chef Justin Balmes, Culinary Works Founder Gena Berry, 5 Seasons Brewing Executive Chef Dave Larkworthy, Whole Foods Market Regional Chef Butch Raphael, Andrea Thrailkill of Bella Cucina, former President of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s Atlanta Chapter Gloria Smiley and the current President Barb Pires.

Books signed will be Atlanta Cooks at Home: The Cookbook by Melissa Libby and Cooking with Les Dames d’Escoffier: At Home with the Women Who Shape the Way We Eat and Drink by Les Dames d’Escoffier.

Harry’s Farmers Market is located at 1180 Upper Hembree Road.

Les Dames Afternoon in the Country

The 8th annual Afternoon in the Country event was held this past Sunday at Serenbe, near Palmetto, Georgia. More than 35 chefs from Atlanta's best restaurants, select retailers and local wineries set up tastings inside the tents on this beautiful property. This is certainly not your run-of-the-mill food and wine event, instead of wearing formal attire, jeans and boots were encouraged! It was a gorgeous day to be outside, and especially enjoying tasty cuisine and fine wines.

Other highlights of the event included live music, a one-of-a-kind cake auction, hayrides and silent auction. Among my favorite tastings of the day were bbq sliders from Holman and Finch, braised beef from White Oak Pastures, Low Country boil with pickled okra (yum!) from the restaurant on Serenbe and desserts from Joel. Proceeds from the event went to benefit the Atlanta Chapters of Les Dames d'Escoffier.

Time to Buy Tix for Les Dames Event in November

As some of you know, I'm spending two weeks in Chile in November. Of course I'm looking forward to it, but I just realized I'm going to miss THE BEST food event of the year! Should I cancel???

Seriously, Les Dames D'Escoffier (LDEI), of which I am a proud member and secretary of the board, puts on a great event at Serenbe every year. The 8th Annual Afternoon in the Country, sponsored by LDEI is held on Sunday, November 9 starting at 1 p.m. at Serenbe in the Chattahoochee Hill Country. Over 50 chefs, restaurants, caterers, wineries, breweries and retailers will be on hand to dole out samples under big-top tents. An enormous silent auction, decadent cake raffle, live music, hayrides and more round out the afternoon. New this year is a Friday night event - a very nice one at that. On November 7, "Evening in the City" will be held at The Mansion on Peachtree. Only 75 tickets will be sold to this exclusive event. The evening begins with a 51st floor champagne "view of the city" reception followed by a four-course Wente Vineyards wine dinner and a private concert by renowned jazz vocalist Francine Reed.

So whether you're a city slicker or a country bumpkin, as long as you enjoy good food and wine, I promise you will enjoy these events. Among the participants are favorites such as Bold American®,Ecco, La Tavola Trattoria, Via Elisa Pasta, White Oak Pastures, Whole Foods Market and Woodfire Grill. Please go and have some sips and nibbles for me!!

Click here for tickets to either event. Proceeds benefit Georgia's organic farming community and the scholarship fund for women in the culinary, beverage and hospitality arts. Atlanta LDEI is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

And yes, this picture is of some Dames having fun at White Oak Pastures. That's Angie Mosier, me, Cathy Conway, Carolyn O'Neil and Virginia Willis. See how fun we are? Tee hee.