SWEETHOMECHICAGOIs….

Les Dames d’Escoffier International

Annual Conference

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT: “There Is Nothing Like A Dame…Nothing In The World.” Those words,courtesy of Oscar Hammerstein refer to fabulous women, such as members ofLes Dames d’ Escoffier. I attended my first Dames meeting twelve years ago inSeattle. Since that meeting in 1992, I’ve attended our annual conferences inBoston, Vancouver BC, New York, Washington DC, San Antonio and again inSeattle. It has been great fun to witness the evolution of our annual confer-ences. That first meeting in Seattle was small and most of the attendees weredelegates. Our meeting last year in Seattle was attended by almost 150 Dames.Some were delegates, but most of them were there to renew or make new friend-ships with our extraordinary members. We are a very unique group: a world-wide society of professional women of high achievement in the fields of food,beverage and hospitality. Our annual conference is the one opportunity for youto meet Dames from all of our 23 (soon to be 25) chapters.

The other reasons to attend the annual conference are to learn and to experi-ence the local color of the host chapter’s community. The Chicago chapter isplanning a wonderful conference, chock-full of special events, seminars andgreat opportunities to learn about Chicago and the Midwest. It will be a per-fect extended weekend trip. Plan to put it on your “must attend” list. I lookforward to seeing you there. Gretchen Mather

Letter from Chicago Dames: Sweet Home Chicago Is…a city that welcomes you! All of the 90 Chicago Dames are delighted that youwill be coming to our city, home of divine foods, world-renowned chefs, 76 ethnic neighborhoods, fineshopping, and an exciting array of great experiences. Your home for the weekend will be just steps fromthe Magnificent Mile. When you are not involved in Les Dames events, go shopping, get a massage,enjoy a steak, take in all of the tourist must-see sites…they are right at your doorstep.

The committee has worked to make your stay memorable with music and food from our past and ourpresent. Enjoyment begins with the host hotel, the Millennium Knickerbocker, which was once thehome to the famous (and infamous) Playboy empire, and currently offers over 50 martinis at its lobbybar. We’ll be meeting and eating in its fabulous Crystal Ballroom where it is easy to imagine ghostsfrom the past wining, dining and dancing the night away.

Our keynote speaker, Bill Kurtis, is a man you will recognize from his years on television. Here, wealso know him as the man who has a vision for his personal legacy by saving a small town from urbanover-development, raising environmental consciousness through his crops and cattle, and telling theworld that there is, in fact, a way to live and leave the earth better than we found it. And, on Friday,you won’t want to miss the extraordinary M.F.K. Fisher Award luncheon as we celebrate the namesakeof that award in a very personal way — by enjoying her favorite foods, pictures from her family album,and, to make it extra special, we will be joined by some of her family for the day.

Of course, we’ll be including a variety of seminars filled with information you can use in your businessand in your life. This includes a new pilot project: The chance to spend the day pre-conference withDame Toni Allegra in an all-day life coaching workshop guaranteed to help you see the way to yourpersonally fulfilling future. Saturday is being planned by the International Board to feature All Dames,All Day roundtables and face-to-face opportunities to make your chapter and the future of the Inter-national organization more viable and successful.

Outside of the formal business agenda, we have taken every opportunity to fill your time with plentyof fun and time to socialize, network, and enjoy each other as well as our city. Try to arrive in time forthe wonderful Thursday night dinner at Maxim’s, the exact replica of the one in Paris. During the 60’s,it was The Place to dine and dance in the true French Style. On Friday evening we will nibble on foodsmade famous in Chicago by its manufacturers and restaurants from the past to the present. And don’tforget to pack your most sparkly blue dress for a return to the 40’s at our Night at the Blue Note onSaturday night. We will be fed by the best chefs in Chicago, and we can guarantee this is the timeyou’ll definitely want to save room for dessert!

You told us you wanted to “get out of the hotel”, so we have also made plans to do that…the Thursdayand Saturday evening events will offer off-site venues worthy of a visit. And then there will be tours,arranged to give you a view of the city most people miss. Don’t miss the Thursday opportunity to go“backstage” at several multi-star and Dame-connected restaurants: The Ritz, Frontera Grill, CharlieTrotters and TRU will be on the menu.

After the conference, stay a while on Sunday and choose to go to the Botanic Garden not only to seethe beautiful fall foliage, but also to visit the Harvest Festival farmer’s market, Midwest Fruit ExplorersShow and the Lily Society Bulb sale. Or perhaps you’d rather take a trip to Mexico? We can’t wait totake you to Pilsen, our Mexican neighborhood where you will visit bakeries, artwear, craft and jewelrystores, and the amazing Mexican Fine Arts Museum for its Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit.If you have a guest attending the conference, be sure to tell them about the very personalized Fridaytour of Chicago’s loop and financial district which includes a lunch stop at The Berghoff for theirfamed schnitzel and brews. And if you discover you have a few hours free and still want to see more,please see the information on page 10 and consider booking a personal Chicago Greeter who will takeyou on a 2 to 4 hour walking tour customized to your interests…absolutely free!

Yes, we are excited about the conference. We know it will be enlightening and informative, fun anddelicious. And…..don’t forget: Sweet Home Chicago Is…..One Great City. We want you to see—andreally experience —as much as you possibly can while you are here!

See you soon –Rita Gutekanst and Judith Dunbar Hines – and the whole Chicago Host Committee

Rita GutekanstConference Co-Chair

Judith Dunbar HinesConference Co-Chair

Rose KallasChicago Chapter President

8:30 – 4:30 pmThe Successful Professional (optional)Antonia Allegra, Career and Writing CoachTower Room

LDEI launches a pilot program this year featuring a day-long educationalsession prior to the opening of the Annual Conference. The Successful Pro-fessional is a dynamic, interactive workshop to be presented by AntoniaAllegra, a career and writing coach dedicated to the food and wine indus-tries. This intensive day, beginning at 8:30 and concluding at 4:30, willbring focus to your culinary career, emphasizing how you can strengthenyour work while planning for the future.

The morning session is titled, Nuts and Bolts of Your Career and will feature:• Analyzing your career• Focusing• What’s your value? What are you earning?• Setting up your company/corporation• Liability and protection• Paperwork and Record keeping

The afternoon session is titled, Deeper Issues of Your Career and will examine:• Assessing your niche in the industry• Marketing ideas to improve your career and future• Thinking out of the box• Reinventing yourself for changing markets• Negotiating Basics• Interviewing Basics• Wrap-up

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1:00 pmCHICAGO GREETERS will be available to take you ona personal and customized 2-hour walking tour ofChicago. Meet in the Hospitality Suite.Compliments of the Chicago Office of Tourism, ChicagoGreeters program. See page 10 for more information.

6:00 pm“Peel Me A Grape” at Maxim’s (optional)Maxim’s – the Nancy Goldberg International Center28 East GoetheTrolleys depart the Walton Entrance at 5:45 pmLimited to 100 • $90 per person

This cabaret evening, a Celebration of Supper and Song, begins withcocktails, and continues through a sit-down dinner and dessert in thisamazing red velvet Art Deco dining room, painstakingly modeled af-ter it’s namesake in Paris. Throughout the evening, cabaret singersentertain you with songs that echo the foods on your plate… It’s agreat way to get “in the mood” for your Conference experience.

Catering services provided by Rita’s Catering & Event Planning.Dress: Business Attire (French Designer couture also appropriate)Members Only – No Guests

Antonia (Toni) Allegra isa professional coach dedi-cated to strengthening thefood and wine industriesone professional at a time.She specializes in careerdevelopment and writing.The Editor in Chief ofVine Napa Valley maga-

zine, Toni is also a wine/food and travel writer.She directs the annual Symposium for ProfessionalFood Writers at The Greenbrier that she foundedin 1989. She is the founder of the Culinary CoachesAlliance (2002) and the Napa Valley Culinary Al-liance (1989). A distinguished lecturer, Toni hasbeen featured internationally, as well as in her roleas wine country host on CBS/KPIX-TV “EveningMagazine” and Napa Valley “tipster” for KRON-TV “Bay Area Back Roads.”

AGENDA – Pre-Conference Activities

10:00 am – 5:00 pmREGISTRATION & HOSPITALITY SUITE OpenDuke of Wales Room, Mezzanine Level

11:00 am – 4:00 pmOPTIONAL TOUR Departs Walton EntranceKITCHEN SECRETS OF THE DAMES$90.00 (minimum 25/maximum 40)

Join Dame Patty Erd on this special behind the scenes tour.You will begin at TRU where pastry chef/partner Dame GaleGand will meet you with something sweet and show you thevisual delights of her kitchen, as well as the amazing contempo-rary art collection. Then visit the kitchen of The Ritz Carlton,Chicago where multi-award winning Dames Sarah Stegner andEn Ming Hsu preside over the classic Dining Room. Lunchwill be at Frontera Grill, co-owned by Dame Deann Bayless,with a chance to tour that kitchen as well. And of course youwon’t want to miss touring the famed Charlie Trotter’s restau-rant and television studio with Dame Della Gossett. Finally,you will stop at Fox and Obel’s gourmet market and bakery,where Dames Meme Hopmeyer and Pamela Fitzgerald wel-come you to a shopping experience as well as afternoon tea.

12:00 – 5:00 pmDAMES MARKETPLACE is openMezzanine Level

This full day of education is priced in addition tothe conference registration fee, but is held in thehost hotel. The fee for this session is $125 andincludes a networking lunch. There is a maxi-mum of 80 seats available. Likewise, 20 peoplemust register for the event to avoid cancellation.

7:00 – 8:00 amYOGA SESSION or ESCORTED WALKING TOURInformation available in the Hospitality Suite

7:30 – 8:45 amCONTINENTAL BREAKFASTCrystal Ballroom, 1st Floor

9:00 – 5:00 pmREGISTRATION OPENSHOSPITALITY SUITE is openDuke of Wales Room, Mezzanine

9:00 – 5:00 pmDAMES MARKETPLACE is openMezzanine

9:00 – 10:00 amKEYNOTE SPEAKERCrystal Ballroom, 1st Floor

Bill Kurtis, television anchor andproducer, Kurtis ProductionsYou know the voice…Bill Kurtis talked thetalk in the media for 35 years. You mayknow the face…he has anchored local andnetwork news, produced feature and cabledocumentaries you have watched. But youmay not know the man who has walkedthe walk…saving a small town in Kansas,building a farm with sustainable practices,raising organic crops and cattle, working

with communities to save the earth for future generations. Billbelieves it is his duty…and ours…to leave behind a legacy to beproud of and enjoyed by future generations. Don’t miss this pre-sentation. Bill is an incredibly engaging and inspiring speaker whohas made a difference, and believes you should too.

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10:30 – noonCONCURRENT SEMINARS (select one)

Urban Farmer’s Markets: A Work in Progress –Tower Room, 14th Floor

This presentation will take stock of the progress with Farmer’s Mar-kets in a Midwest urban setting and the acceptance for sustainable,locally grown products as seen from the perspective of Chicago’sGreen City Market – their current status and future as presented byChicago Dame Abby Mandel. In addition, a representative fromCity of Chicago Neighborhood Markets will discuss their uniqueformula of providing city dwellers with area-wide, multiple smallmarkets. Joining the discussion with their own perspectives will beorganic grower David Cleverdon and Chef Bruce Sherman, whoshops the markets each week.

Marketing Wines in the New Millennium –featuring Chicago Dame Barbara Glunz Donovan who will discussboth large and small retail wine shop marketing approaches for in-creasing customer service & sales. She will be joined by Fred Koehlerof Lynfred Winery in Illinois who will address marketing from thewinery owner’s perspective; and Master Sommelier Alpana Singh ofEverest in Chicago who will talk about making a wine list & sellingwines to restaurant customers.Moderator: Food & wine journalist Bill Rice.

12:30 – 2:00 pmM.F.K. FISHER AWARDS LUNCHEONCrystal Ballroom, 1st Floor

To celebrate the 50th anniversary and the publication of a new edi-tion of The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher, we offer a retrospective ofher life including photos from the family album with commentarysupplied by MFK Biographer Dame Joan Reardon. Our very spe-cial guest will be Kennedy Friede Golden, M.F.K.’s daughter, whowill speak to us over lunch prepared by Dame Sarah Stegner. Themeal will feature locally grown organic foods; many of the recipeswere M.F.K.’s favorites and mentioned in her books!

Photo by Andrew Eccles

2:15 –3:15 pmCONCURRENT SEMINARS (select one)

Recipes to Retail, The Real Story –a Roundtable discussion with featured speakers who have beendown retail roads and survived. Chicago Dame and pastry divaGale Gand will recount her trials and tribulations with launchingGale’s Root Beer and getting it to market. Gale will be joined byothers for this panel discussion that promises to tell the real story!Moderator: Dame Carol Haddix, author, and food editor of theChicago Tribune.

Exploring Your Career Options byThinking Outside the Box –Three speakers will present and discuss how they have succeededin the food, beverage and hospitality business by discarding tra-ditional business models and following their own creative instinctsfor launching and marketing their product and/or business skills.Palm Springs Dame Mary Clare Mulhall, owner of The TerraCotta Inn, will talk about her novel concept for lodging & hospi-tality. Master Sommelier Belinda Chang, formerly of CharlieTrotter’s and currently restaurant manager and wine director forFifth Floor in San Francisco, will share her methods for breakingthrough the glass ceiling. Our food presenter, Chicago restaura-teur and Dame Debra Sharpe, will discuss catering & touringwith the stars.Moderator: Dame Debra Crestoni.

The Art of Chocolate –will feature the much-in-demand chocolate expert, teacher, au-thor and spokesperson, Chicago Dame Elaine Gonzalez, in dem-onstration and lecture. This seminar is designed to make work-ing with chocolate fun and creatively stimulating. The focus willbe on a chic chocolate dessert, stunning chocolate gift-giving ideas,and an assortment of chocolate table decorations for fall and winterentertaining.

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3:15 – 3:30 pmBreak

3:30 - 4:30 pmCONCURRENT SEMINARS (select one)

The Diet Zeitgeist: Nutrition ExpertsWeigh In on Facts and Fads –this meeting will feature two expert nutritionists: Chicago DameMary Abbott Hess, nutrition educator, consultant and author- and St. Louis-based Dame Roberta Duyff, food & nutritionconsultant, author and spokesperson. They will debunk the dietfads and present sound nutrition facts for achieving balance ingood health while enjoying good eating.

History of Cake Decorating –featuring Chicago Dame Nancy Siler, public relations directorand spokesperson for Wilton School of Cake Decorating &Confectionery Arts, this session will be a light-hearted voyagedown sugar-lined lanes from the beginnings of cake decoratingto the fantastic and complex cakes of today. This retrospectivewill be sure to fill your head with visions of sugar plums.

Midwestern Artisan Cheese Tasting –Jeff Babcock, cheese buyer for European Imports, will lead mem-bers through a tasting of world-class, artisan cheeses from smallMidwestern producers, many of whom are Master Cheese Mak-ers and American Cheese Society award winners. There will beappropriate wine accompaniment. Limited to 60.

6:00 – 7:30 pmTHE CITY THAT COOKSReceptionKnickerbocker Ballroom

Everyone knows Chicago is famous for Hot Dogs and Pizza,but what about all of the other foods which originated in Chi-cago? Ever hear of CrackerJacks? What about Chicken Vesuvioand Italian Beef? We have everything from grande cuisine tocandies and snacks to sample, along with historical referencesand food trivia games to offer tonight along with our own home-town Blues Band at this walk-about reception.

Dress: Casual (Blues Brothers shades optional)

7:30SEE THE CITY THAT WORKS(optional event, $15 per person)Trolleys Depart from the Walton Street Entrance

The fun immediately begins as we board the trolleys. Travelthrough some of the city’s downtown streets while guides fromthe Chicago Office of Tourism will be on hand to point outarchitectural, historical and natural sites that make our city justlyfamous worldwide.

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7:00 – 8:00 amYOGA SESSION or ESCORTED WALKING TOURInformation Available in the Hospitality Suite

7:30 – 8:30 amCONTINENTAL BREAKFASTTower Room, 14th Floor

All members are welcome. Special tables will be set aside sothat chapter presidents can sit with other president’s in theirregion, along with their respective Director-at-Large.

ALL DAMES, ALL DAY PROGRAMS:The programming for this entire day is devoted to LDEI or-ganizational issues. Our traditional LDEI-specific sessions havebeen redesigned to be more encompassing of all members, notjust chapter presidents or delegates.

8:30 -11:30 amLet’s Get Moving! Fabulous and Fun Ways toInspire Membership Involvement

This year, the incredibly successful Chapter President’s Re-treat, held since 2001, has been redesigned so all Dames at-tending the conference may attend and benefit from it.

This will be a stimulating, interactive session led by MargeryMiller, a professional development facilitator who has workedwith the San Antonio Chapter and conducted a teleforum forLDEI in 2003 titled “Don’t Just Do It — Delegate It!”

Topics to be covered include: how you can link members’ goalswith the goals of the chapter; what you can learn about in-creasing the involvement of your members; inspiring chapterparticipation; learning to motivate others to lend a hand; meet-ing the challenge to grow membership; and keeping our chap-ters relevant to our members and our communities.

In Les Dames, it’s teamwork that carries the day and formslasting relationships, but skills involved in team building andpeople development that encourage accountability, responsi-bility, dignity and productivity are valid in ones chapter aswell as in professional life.

9:00 am – 5:00 pmREGISTRATION & HOSPITALITY SUITE OpenDuke of Wales Room, Mezzanine 9:00 am – 5:00 pmDAMES MARKETPLACE is openMezzanine

11:30 – 1:15 pmPARTNER LUNCHEON

Our luncheon today is presented by our LDEI partners anddesigned to introduce you to the latest and greatest they haveto offer. Stop by each of the Buffet tables to learn about theirproducts, and take advantage of this chance to meet our spon-sors and thank them face-to-face.

1:30 – 2:00 pmLDEI Business

This session will feature an update on various LDEI-relatedissues of interest to the members. Included in this session willbe a presentation about the website (ldei.org), and other orga-nizational issues. 2:00 – 3:30 pmLDEI Council of Delegates Meeting

This is the annual business meeting, where delegates vote onorganizational issues. All members are welcome, and encour-aged, to attend.

6:00 – 10:00 pmNIGHT AT THE BLUE NOTEPreston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center77 East WashingtonBuses leave Walton Street Entrance beginningat 5:45 pm

Under the Tiffany Dome of the Preston Bradley Hall, wepresent La Nuit de Les Dames d’Escoffier. It’s a soiree fea-turing Swanky Sounds, Sumptuous Foods, Serious Sippingand Scintillating company. Six of Chicago’s outstanding malechefs begin the cocktail hour with their creative offerings,surrounded by a fabulous contemporary art exhibit. Thenon to the 20-piece Big Band Orchestra to accompany ourown Dame Wendy Pashman’s spectacular dinner, culminat-ing in the sweetest ending: Pastry Chefs, all Chicago Dames,Ina Pinkney, Judy Contino, Mary McMahon, En-MingHsu, Elaine Gonzalez and Pamela Fitzpatrick will reallyshow their stuff!

Dress: Nightclub attire –Something Blue and Sparkly is mandatory!

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7:30 – 8:30 amYOGA SESSION or ESCORTED WALKING TOURInformation Available in the Hospitality Suite

9:00 am – noonDAMES MARKETPLACE is openMezzanine

Do your last minute shopping for books & souvenirs. Shipping can be arranged if your luggage is already packed.

8:00 – 11:00 amTHE LAST HURRAH – FAREWELL JAZZ BREAKFAST

Join us for a buffet brunch, good conversation, and Chicago Jazz. Pack a gift bag of edibles for your tour or trip home — Les Damesdeserve better than airplane snacks! The farewell buffet is your last chance to say goodbye to new and old friends before you leave for citytours or travel.

10:30 – 3:00 pmOPTIONAL TOURSBuses will depart promptly from Walton Street Entrance

CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDENS & HARVEST FESTIVAL

If the frenzy of this dynamic convention has left you needing some relaxation, now is the time to enjoy a day in the countryside. We areknown for dramatic weather year-round, but fall is the season to revel in the color of the changing season and this tour will offer that andmore. The Chicago Botanic Gardens are 20 miles north of the city and contain 23 separate gardens, most of which you will see from anarrated tram tour. Then, still on the grounds of the Gardens, visit the annual Harvest Festival farmer’s market which features some of thehighest quality handmade Midwestern products including cheese, jam, breads and fruits. Later you will be free to walk the grounds at leisure,stop at the café or ice cream shop for lunch, a snack or a glass a wine. While you are there, you may want to stop in at the Midwest FruitExplorers Show and Sale or the Wisconsin/Illinois Lily Society Bulb Sale for things to take home with you.

Dress: Casual, with good walking shoes • $30 per person, does not include lunch, guests invited (minimum 8/maximum 15)

PILSEN, CHICAGO’S MEXICAN NEIGHBORHOOD

For devotees of Mexican culture and foods, this tour will be tanto diversion deliciosa! Disembark and you will imagine you have crossed theborder as you tour businesses owned and run by transplanted entrepreneurs. We will visit as many places as time will allow, but count onan upscale Mexican bakery, a tortilla factory, a coffee house, an herbal pharmacy and a fabulous shop full of Mexican artwork and jewelry.Lunch is at Nuevo Leon, a real Mexican diner where the food is authentic and the atmosphere is colorful and festive….but nothing at alllike Frontera Grill! The tour will culminate at the Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, the largest Mexican museum in the country….luckilyour date coincides with their Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibit.

Dress: Casual, with good walking shoes • $40 per person, includes lunch, guests invited (minimum 8/maximum 15)

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HOTEL AND CITY INFORMATIONHOTEL: MILLENNIUM KNICKERBOCKER HOTEL East Walton (1/2 block east of Michigan Avenue) Phone: 312.751.8100 Sales office: 312.867.7500 FAX: 312.751.9205 Contact: Tricia Dawes Room Rate: $159 single or double

The Millennium Knickerbocker, with 350 lovely recently renovatedrooms and 21 suites, is conveniently located at the north end of theMagnificent Mile (Michigan Avenue) with the finest stores and bou-tiques just steps away. The Lobby Bar offers nearly 50 types of mar-tinis, as well as the usual libations in a comfortable setting for meet-ing friends old and new. The restaurant Nix’s is also just off theLobby. Or you may want to take proper afternoon tea right acrossthe street at the venerable Drake Hotel. Great kitchenware store?Two blocks away. Want to indulge in a pedicure or massage? Theconcierge can arrange it, as Elizabeth Arden’s Red Door is next door.

NOTE: When making reservations, be sure to mention LesDames. And be aware that this special price is only available onreservations made by 5:00 p.m., September 13. Make your ar-rangements early to avoid additional charges. TRANSPORTATION:Both O’Hare International Airport and Midway Airport are servedby most airlines. O’Hare is approximately 30 miles west/northwestof the city and taxi service will cost approximately $25 to 35dollars. Midway is 12 miles south of the city center and taxi rateswill be approximately $20 to the hotel.

CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) subway trains are available fromboth airports to The Loop (Chicago’s Downtown), and cost $1.75one way. A short cab ride will then take you to your hotel. Maps andCTA information are available at both airports, or contact1.888.YOUR.CTA, 312.836.7000, or www.transitchicago.com.

Rental car desks are available at each airport, along with driving in-structions. Parking rates at the hotel are $35 overnight.

Airport Express service (shared ride vans) is available at the airport totake you to the door of the hotel.

SEEING THE CITYContact 1.877.CHICAGO or www.877chicago.com for completetourist information provided by the Chicago Office of Tourism andthe Chicago Convention and Travel Bureau.

THINGS YOU WANT TO KNOW

Visitors Centers are located at the Water Works (across the street from the His-toric Water Tower on Michigan Avenue at Pearson), and at the Chicago CulturalCenter, 77 East Randolph. Pick up maps and brochures on what is happeningaround town or buy those take-home souvenirs. Hours are 10 am – 6 pm daily.

Want a walking tour of the city? Chicago Greeters.com will welcome you, pairyou up with a native who will give you a one-on-one personalized walking tour…atno charge! Private citizens are Greeters, and conduct tours for over 20 destina-tions and neighborhoods, nearly 30 areas of interest and in a number of foreignlanguages. To schedule a walk during your stay, contact www.chicagogreeter.organd mention Les Dames or just say “Judith sent me” for special considerations.

Want a bus tour of the city? Check out Chicago neighborhood tours at 312.742.1190or check under www.cityofchicago.org/culturalaffairs/, for a Saturday all-day tourof several city neighborhoods. Other bus tours available under www.877chicago.com.

Want a boat tour? Check those available at Chicago Architecture Foundation atwww.architecture.org/tours or by calling 312.751.1380. Best to book ahead oftime for the weekend, but kiosks are at Michigan and the River (south side) forwalk-up information. Or order tickets through Ticketmaster by calling312.902.1500 or online at www.ticketmaster.com/Illinois.

While you are in Chicago, it is Chicago Artists’ Month, a celebration of visualarts all over the city. Contact 312.744.6630 or www.cityofchicago.org/culturalaffairs/ for information on 120 exhibitions, open studio tours, demon-strations, workshops, panel discussions and other activities related to the 9th an-nual Artists’ Month.

ARE YOU COMING IN EARLY or STAYING AFTERTHE CONFERENCE?Named by Alice Waters as “the best sustainable effort in the country,” The GreenCity Market is held each Wednesday from 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., in LincolnPark, near the Chicago Historical Society and features 35 sustainable vendors,fabulous foods to taste and buy.

Masterminded by Dame Abby Mandel, she encourages you to “come in time forWednesday Market - we can have a great sustainable dialogue, there is always a chefdemo, and I am happy to tour members around the Market, ending at Big Shoul-ders Café in the Historical Society, where they feature CGCM foods on Wednes-days.” Market is located at 1750 North Clark, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a Chefdemo at 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact Abby at 847.835.3097.

On Sunday you may wish to stay for the day to participate in the Chicago Wineand Food Festival taking place at Kendall College, 900 North Northbranch inChicago from 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Dame Reysa Samuels and the entire crewof Sam’s Wines and Spirits will be hosting a showcase of chefs, winemakers, farm-ers, and all kinds of pleasures of the palate all day long, including cooking demon-strations, tastings, and speakers. Admission: $85 For more information, contactReysa at 312.867.3296 or see the website www.cwff.net

WHAT’S THE WEATHER?Chicago is known for its weather extremes, but October is the most beautifulmonth of all. Plan on daily average temperatures in the 50’s (ranging from 42 to63 degrees). We’ve requested Perfect Weather from the weather gods but frequentand abrupt weather changes mean that bringing sweaters and a few summer clotheswould be a good idea, and layers are appropriate for any occasion!

HAVE A PRODUCT FOR THE DAMES MARKETPLACE?

The Dames Marketplace will not only be selling typical Chicago and food-themedsouvenirs, but also books and products of our members. If you have somethingyou wish to sell in our shop, please contact Benjamin Dauer at 312.742.1537 orben_dauer@yahoo.com for complete information. He will send you a consign-ment agreement form, and make arrangements with you to handle the sale. Pleaseunderstand that only items previously arranged prior to the week of October 10can be handled, and they cannot accept unannounced drop off items.

The Shop at the Cultural Center has generously agreed to manage the shop and alsoto return a percentage of all profits from all sales in the Marketplace to LDEI, soplan to do your gift shopping right on-site at the hotel.

The Les Dames d’EscoffierInternational ConferenceOctober 13-17, 2004

$2.00 OFF from the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel toO’HARE and MIDWAY — Make your reservation in advanceat www.airportexpress.comFor service from airport to hotel, visit the Airport Express desk — followthe signs for Ground Transportation. For service from hotel to airport,please call 1-800-654-7871 the day before for pickup.

Last minute reservations can be made on a space available basis.

O’Hare One Way - $21.00 *Midway One Way - $16.00* O’Hare Round Trip - $39.00 *Midway Round Trip - $30.00*

Valid October 13-17, 2004 * Includes All TaxesThis coupon MUST be presented.

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LDEI CHICAGO 2004 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM

Name Chapter

Address

City State ZIP

Phone (home) (work)

E-Mail

REGISTRATIONFull registration includes all conference materials, meals and events scheduled Friday, Saturday, and Sunday except optional tours and theThursday evening at Maxims. One day registration includes materials, meals and events for that day only (except optional tours). Cancellationpolicy: Full refund, less $50 processing fee if cancelled by October 1. No refund after October 1, 2004.

❑ $450 Full Registration if faxed or postmarked by September 5❑ $475 Full Registration if faxed or postmarked after September 5❑ $295 FRIDAY One day registration includes evening event but not optional tour❑ $325 SATURDAY One day registration includes Night at the Blue Note event❑ $90 THURSDAY evening at Maxim’s (limited to members only, no guests)❑ $40 SPOUSE/GUEST DAY, Friday

Includes private walking tour of Chicago Loop including historical and architectural sites and the financial district –Includeslunch at The Berghoff, Chicago’s grand old German restaurant holding Chicago Liquor License #1 !

OPTIONAL TOURS:❑ $90 Thursday Kitchen Secrets of Chicago Dames❑ $15 Friday - See the City that Works: Tickets will also be available on-site at Hospitality Suite❑ $30 Sunday - Chicago Botanical Gardens❑ $40 Sunday - Pilsen Neighborhood Tour

OPTIONAL PRE CONFERENCE WORKSHOP❑ $125 Career Coaching Thursday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 pm

TOTAL DUE

❑ Check Enclosed – Make payable to: LDEI❑ Mastercard ❑ VISA ❑ American Express

Account # Expiration

Signature:

CONCURRENT SEMINARSFriday October 17, select one in each time period:

10:30 ❑ Urban Farmer’s Market❑ Marketing Wines for the New Millennium

2:15 ❑ Recipes to Retail❑ Exploring Career Options❑ Art of Chocolate

3:30 ❑ Diet Zeitgeist❑ History of Cake Decorating❑ Midwestern Artisan Cheese

SEND REGISTRATION:By Mail: By Fax:Greg Jewell Greg JewellLDEI 502/456-1821P O Box 4961Louisville KY 40204

If you require special accommodations to participate fully, pleaseattach a written statement of your needs. The hotel is fully ADAaccessible, but we need advance notice for off-site locations andtransportation.

Further questions? Contact Greg Jewellgjewell@aecmanagement.comwww.ldei.org

Les Dames d’Escoffier InternationalP O Box 4961Louisville KY 40204

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