Atlanta Chapter Les Dames d'Escoffier Announces "Evening in the City" with Francine Reed

Aug. 20, 2008 - PRLog -- ATLANTA CHAPTER LES DAMES D’ ESCOFFIER INTERNATIONAL
ADDS NEW EVENT TO CREATE A FLAVORFUL FUNDRAISING WEEKEND WITH BOTH CITY AND COUNTRY OPTIONS


ATLANTA, GA—The Atlanta Chapter Les Dames d’Escoffier International, a worldwide society of women in the culinary, beverage, and hospitality industries, is pleased to announce that it has added a new event to its fall fundraising efforts. The first annual Evening in the City will be held on Friday, November 7, 2008 at 7:00 PM at Atlanta's luxurious, new The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence. According to Chapter President Virginia Willis, Evening in the City was created as a complement to the organization's annual Afternoon in the Country, which is scheduled for Sunday, November 9, 2008 at 1:00 PM at Serenbe in Palmetto, Georgia. "Evening in the City is the prefect dichotomy to our renowned Afternoon in the Country," Willis explains. "This new event embraces the sophisticated side of Les Dames and combined with Sunday's events really showcases what a truly special group we are. Evening in the City promises to give sponsors and guests an incredibly unique and exciting opportunity to celebrate all that Atlanta has to offer as a first-rate city for dining, wine and culture."

The Evening in the City will begin with a Champagne reception on the 51st floor of The Mansion on Peachtree. With awe-inspiring, 360-degree views of the city, the crowd will enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres and chilled bubbly. The group will then descend to the elegant Rosewood Room for a seated, four-course menu specially prepared by Executive Chef Eric Chopin using the region's finest and freshest ingredients. The menu will be paired with an assortment of wines presented by California's award-winning Wente Vineyards. During dinner, guests will enjoy an exclusive, private concert by Atlanta's legendary jazz singer Francine Reed. Tickets for Evening in the City may be purchased in conjunction with Afternoon in the Country for $325 per person, which includes one ticket each to both the Friday night and Sunday events. Tickets for Friday evening's event only are also available for $250 per person. All tickets will be available online after September 1, 2008 at http://www.LDEIAtlanta.org. Tickets for Evening in the City are limited and will be available first come, first served.

The 8th annual Afternoon in the Country will then follow the Atlanta event on Sunday, November 9th from 1 to 4 PM and will once again take place at Serenbe, near Palmetto, Georgia; approximately 30 miles south of Atlanta. More than 35 chefs from Atlanta’s best restaurants and select retailers will be set up in a tasting format alongside 15 fine wine and premium micro-brews under festive big-top tents. 2008 chef and restaurant participants include Aria, Canoe, City Grill & Dailey's, CRAFT, Ecco, Five Seasons Brewing, Flying Biscuit, Food 101, Fourth & Swift, Muss & Turners, One. Midtown Kitchen, Parish, Kevin Rathbun Steak/Rathbun's/Krog Bar, Repast, and retailers Bella Cucina Artful Food and Via Elisa Fresh Pasta and many more. (A current list of participants is available at http://www.ldeiatlanta.org.) Guests will also enjoy getting to meet some of Georgia’s dedicated organic growers and purchase from their bountiful harvest.

Other highlights of the Sunday event include:  live music, a one-of-a-kind cake raffle featuring sweets from Atlanta’s best pastry chefs, hayrides, unique wares from artisan and select retailers and an expanded silent auction offering exclusive dining and travel packages, collectible wines, food and wine merchandise and original art by some of the Southeast’s most prominent artists.

Tickets for Afternoon in the Country are $95 per person. Children 12 to 20 are $35 each. Children under 12 may attend free of charge. Proceeds will once again benefit the Atlanta Chapter's successful scholarship fund and Georgia’s organic farming community. Tickets will be available for purchase securely online at http://www.LDEIAtlanta.org after September 1, 2008.

Numerous sponsorship opportunities are still available for both events. Sponsors for the first annual Evening in the City include The Mansion on Peachtree, A Rosewood Hotel & Residence. Sponsors for the 8th annual Afternoon in the Country include for the third year, Presenting Sponsor Serenbe and for the fourth year, Whole Foods Market.

The Atlanta Chapter Les Dames d'Escoffier is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt organization and a portion of all ticket prices are tax deductible.

Les Dames d’Escoffier International is dedicated to creating a supportive culture in the community, fostering excellence and promoting the achievement of women in culinary professions through educational and charitable activities. For additional information, please visit http://www.LDEIAtlanta.org.

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Elizabeth McDonald      
McDonald Media, Tel: 404-822-3788
Email: lizzie@mcdonald-media.com