The BC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier hosts the most incredible Gala each year. Saluting culinary heroes, the Dames shine with the support of many to create an evening of culinary magic. Chefs from across Canada join Dame chefs and local chefs for a cuisine and wine extravaganza. With many chefs in the kitchen, the fun and flare abounds!
Often an elegant long table for 100, the evening shines with many courses, fabulous wine pairings and an abundance of elegance and excitement in support of our LDBC Scholarships, Project CHEF and Growing Chefs.
Pictures from our 2019 Gala
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Past Galas:
Dear Friends, as you know, each year Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter chooses a Culinary Icon to honour and celebrate at an annual gala dinner. This year we were thrilled to announce Michel Jacob as the 2019 recipient of this honour. Upon his arrival in Vancouver BC, it was no surprise that Michel Jacob would open his own fine dining French restaurant and name it after the finest restaurant he had ever seen and dined at in his hometown of Strasbourg: the three-star Michelin restaurant Au Crocodile. Michel’s main goal was to open a restaurant that could match and achieve the level of culinary standards and service that are still present today at Le Crocodile. Thirty years later, with some of the original staff still here, Le Crocodile still remains in Vancouver as one of the city’s most acclaimed and visited restaurants. With its impeccable service with flair, never pretense or fanfare, Le Crocodile blends traditional French cooking with innovative West Coast style. Les Dames d’Escoffier honoured respected chef, restaurateur, author, TV host, speaker and Olympian, Diane Clement. Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter, a leadership culinary organization composed of women who have achieved success in their professions and contribute significantly to their communities, honoured Diane Clement at their annual gala dinner on September 21, 2018. Chosen with great care, the “Les Dames” Culinary Icon recipient is chosen for what they have contributed to the culinary and hospitality industry. Past recipients have included Dame Julia Child (celebrating what would have been her 100th birthday), Chef’s Lidia Bastianich and Lynn Crawford and closer to home, […] On September 22, 2017, Les Dames d’Escoffier BC honoured Chef Bruno Marti with a multi-course gala dinner prepared by chefs from across Europe & North America at the Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver. Chef Bruno Marti has a long line of credits including chef and owner of the legendary La Belle Auberge, winner CWorld Culinary Olympis, Recipient, the Order of British Columbia, Queen’s Jubilee Award, Hall of fame inductee Canadian & American Culinary Federations. The Chefs that cooked for Bruno that night included; Executive Chef Weimar Gomez, Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver; La Belle Auberge alumni: Chef’s Michael Noble and Matthew Batey, Scott Jaeger, Tobias MacDonald, Jennifer Peters, Alex Chen, Greg Hook and Reception by The Okanagan Chefs’ association led by Bernard Cassavant. It was a spectacular evening for all.
Honouring respected chef and restaurateur, Michel Jacob
2018 Gala Honouring Diane Clement
2017 – Honouring Bruno Marti
2016- Gala Celebration Honouring Lidia Bastianich
Les Dames d’Escoffier Gala on September 23, 2016 – The BC Chapter honoured Emmy award winning TV personality, cookbook author and restaurateur, Lidia Bastianich with a SOLD OUT event. Renowned as the Nonna of Italian cuisine, Lidia’s four New York acclaimed restaurants, Felidia, Becco, Esca and Del Posto along with Lidia’s Pittsburgh and Lidia’s Kansas City showcase her indisputable roots peppered with family recipes and signature dishes. Sante!
Find out more...2015 – Celebration Honouring Lynn Crawford
Canadian Chef Lynn Crawford, owner of Ruby Watchco and star of Pitchin’in on Food Network Canada was honored on October 17, 2015. The evening began with an elegant reception celebrating the inaugural release of Goldeneye Brut Rosé by Duckhorn Wine Co. As everyone was seated at a stunning single long table for 100 guests (the city’s longest) on the 2nd floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, ten of Canada’s top chefs then served a multi course dinner based around Chef Crawford’s love of farmers, hearty flavours, local and seasonal ingredients.
Find out more...2014 – John Bishop: HONOURING A CULINARY HERO
At a stunning single long table for 100 guests (the cities longest) on the 2nd floor of the Four Seasons Hotel, industry luminaries, long time guests and family will join television host, and long-time Bishop’s fan, Fanny Keefer at an elegant champagne reception hosted by Moët & Chandon, followed by a multi course dinner from some of the country’s finest chefs, all former Bishop’s Alumni, to honour John Bishop.
Find out more...2013 – An Evening in Tuscany
This year’s Gala inspiration and guest of honour was chef and restaurateur Umberto Menghi, an international culinary icon that Vancouver calls our own. Umberto Menghi is credited, by his chef colleagues, with starting the gourmet food scene in Vancouver with the opening of Umberto’s, the little yellow heritage house, on the corner of Hornby and Pacific in 1973. With the closing of Umberto’s and IL Giardino in April, it is truly the end of an era for many of us who have dined with Umberto over the years.
Find out more...2012 – Julia in Paris
A beautiful summer evening, a stunning parisienne styled formal long table set for 73 people on the roof top – pool deck of the Four Seasons Hotel.* Ten of the region’s best chefs. Ten courses all touched with a soupcon of French cuisine. A champagne reception to start, a cognac and chocolate bar to end…..This truly was Vancouver’s most elegant dinner party! Check out the pics!
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