Atlanta Les Dames d’ Escoffier International Hosts 13th Annual Afternoon in the Country
Region’s top chefs participate in fundraiser for LDEI Atlanta Scholarship Fund and Georgia Organics
The Atlanta Chapter of Les Dames d’ Escoffier International (LDEI), a worldwide society of women in the culinary, beverage and hospitality industries, will host the 13th celebrated Afternoon in the Country at Serenbe on Sunday, November 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. Rooted in philanthropy, the annual fundraiser event will benefit the LDEI Atlanta scholarship fund. Proceeds for Afternoon in the Country, which totaled more than $93,000 in 2012, will provide support for women pursuing culinary or pastry arts, farming, beverage management, hospitality or agriculture careers. A percentage of proceeds will also go to Georgia Organics, a not-for-profit organization that seeks to enrich Georgia’s organic farming community, as well as Wholesome Wave, a nonprofit that helps to increase Georgians’ access to fresh, healthy, locally grown food.
Showcasing the region’s preeminent chefs, Afternoon in the Country will feature an array of exclusive wines and beers alongside produce from Georgia’s organic harvest. More than 70 restaurants will offer seasonal tastings. Drawing an elite crowd of connoisseurs, the event also serves more than 20 fine wines and premium micro-brews under the inviting tents on the beautiful grounds of the Inn at Serenbe.
In addition to mingling with chefs, restaurant owners, wine and beer experts and Georgia’s dedicated organic farmers, guests will be treated to a festive performance by DriveTrain, one of the country’s most popular bluegrass groups. Families can visit a special children’s activities tent and take a hay-ride throughout the sweeping grounds. Event highlights will also include a one-of-a-kind cake raffle featuring the talents of Atlanta’s finest pastry chefs as well as silent auctions.
Participating restaurants include: 4th & Swift, Abattoir, Alma Cocina, Aria, Avalon Catering, Babette’s Café, Bacchanalia, Bantam & Biddy, Bistro Niko, Bocado, Bold American Events, Buttermilk Kitchen, Caja Popcorn, Canoe, Chick-a-Biddy, Chicken and the Egg, Cibo e Beve, Cook Hall, Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, Decimal Place Farm, Del Frisco’s Grille, Delia’s Chicken Sausage Stand, Double Zero Napoletana, Eleven at Loews Hotel, Fairywood Thicket Farm, Farm Burger, Flip Burger Boutique, Floataway Café, General Muir, Georgia Grille, Gunshow, Harvest on Main, Haven, High Road Craft Ice Cream & Sorbet, Holeman & Finch Public House, Iberian Pig, JCT Kitchen, Kevin Rathbun Steak, King + Duke, Krog Bar, Kyma, Leon’s Full Service, Livingston Restaurant and Bar, Local Three, Lure, Marlow’s Tavern, Miller Union, Murphy’s, Muss & Turners, No. 246, ONE Midtown Kitchen, Parish Foods & Goods, Park 75 at Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta, Pine Street Market, Pricci, Proof & Provision, Rathbun’s, Restaurant Eugene, Rosebud, Serpas True Food, Seven Lamps, Soiree Catering & Events, Southbound, Star Provisions, Steinbeck’s, STG, Sun in My Belly, Sweet Grass Dairy, The Farmhouse at Serenbe, The Feed Store, The Hil, The Optimist, The Peachtree Club, The Spence, Two Urban Licks, Veni Vidi Vici and Woodfire Grill.
Participating farms, retailers and beverages will be announced closer to the event date.
Sponsors include: Alsco, AmeriPark, Ameriprise, Amplify, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine, Best Self magazine, Bombay Sapphire, Cook’s Warehouse, Cypress Grove, Dangling Carrot Creative, Delia’s Chicken Sausage, DriveTrain, Fayette Woman, Fayette Citizen, Fiji, Flavors magazine, Georgia Restaurant Association, Georgia Organics, Initial Contact, Inland Seafood, Landmark Fiat, Moondance Entertainment, NO Winery, North Atlanta Urgent Care, Open Table, Peachtree Tents & Events, Production People, Inc., Reinhart Food Service, Restaurant Depot, Royal Restrooms, Serenbe, Stacy Zeigler and Scott Bryan, Taste of Atlanta, The Reynolds Group, Virginia Willis, Vixen Vodka and Whole Foods.
Tickets for Afternoon in the Country are $125 per adult and $35 for children ages 13 to 20. Children 12 and under are free. Guests may purchase tickets at www.ldeiatlanta.org. Advance purchase is recommended, as the event continually sells out each year.
About Les Dames d’ Escoffier
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 www.ldeiatlanta.org.