MEMBERSHIP

Les Dames d'Escoffier International, a philanthropic organization, is responsible for the formation of new chapters. Currently, LDEI is composed of 45 chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Mexico totaling over 2400 women leaders in the culinary, fine beverage and hospitality industry.

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Our vision

We are an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in our communities to achieve excellence in the food, fine beverage and hospitality fields.

To make this vision a reality, we:

- Share knowledge

- Support members

- Provide leadership, educational opportunities and philanthropic events for the community at large

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Testimonials

“I first learned of the Les Dames d’Escoffier organization when I was living in Atlanta in the mid-1990s.  A food journalist friend was a member and I was wildly envious. I was toiling away as a business attorney, and when she invited me as a guest to their events, I was always in awe of the culinary luminaries there, including my longtime then favorite chef, Anne Quatrano, and the uniquely interesting and fun programs the group offered.

Little did I know that years later, through my work as leader of the Slow Food Chapter in Marin County (CA), and then as the founder/publisher/editor in chief of Edible Marin & Wine Country, I would have “earned” my place among these esteemed ladies of the culinary world.  I was so honored to be invited to be a founding member of the Sonoma Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, and am looking forward to being a part of the important work my fellow members and I are planning to do in our region, from mentoring up and coming women in the culinary field, to supporting school gardens, and more. Women supporting women, and having a delicious time doing it! “

-Gibson Thomas

“I could not be more proud to be a part of this incredible organization. I am just getting started as one of the newest members, but I am already blown about by the support and community outreach of this organization. Women truly supporting women at the highest level and having a real impact in our community.”

-Naomi Smith, Laurent-Perrier US

How to become a member

Les Dames Sonoma is part of Les Dames d’Escoffier International. Les Dames Sonoma is based in Sonoma County. Our chapter is composed of Dames who live and work in Marin, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma Counties. Our Dames are leaders in culinary, fine beverage and hospitality industries.

Membership Qualifications:

  • Women can be invited by a current or retired Dame

  • Women can contact a particular chapter with interest in membership consideration

  • Women with 5 years professional experience in culinary, fine beverage or hospitality

  • Women who demonstrate leadership in one of these industries

  • Women who support LDEI Mission, Vision, and Basic Values

  • Women who meet the ethical standards in the Code of Ethics and have no undisclosed conflict of interest

To Be Considered For Membership:

●     Complete and sign Membership Application

●     Review the LDEI Conflict of Interest Policy and sign the Conflict of Interest Statement on the last page of this document

●     Provide a current résumé

●     Provide a letter of reference from a member of Les Dames (current or retired from any chapter)

Email all items to membership@lesdamessoco.org

Completed packets are due by 5pm on April 30, 2025.

Once your application is received and reviewed you will be contacted regarding your status.

Membership Requirements:

●     Pay annual dues of $225 by August 1

●     Be an active member of the chapter:

  • Sign up for and participate in at least one committee

  • Attend and support the annual fundraiser

  • Attend at least 2 quarterly chapter meetings

  • Provide a minimum of 10 hours per year toward committee activities, fundraising and projects

●     Be an advocate for Les Dames d’Escoffier International

●     Abide by the LDEI Mission and Guiding Principles and the member requirements

●     For new members only:  attend the Onboarding Session on July 21, 2025

Thank you for being part of the Sonoma Chapter.

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    Liza Hinman

    PRESIDENT
    Owner, The Spinster Sisters
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  • Kelly Comstock Ferris

    Kelly Comstock Ferris

    VICE PRESIDENT
    Owner, Comstock Wines
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  • Lisa Stavropoulos

    Lisa Stavropoulos

    TREASURER
    Owner, Greek Grape Wine Tours
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  • Doralice Handal

    Doralice Handal

    PAST PRESIDENT
    Co-Owner, Locals Tasting Room
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  • Donna Del Rey

    Donna Del Rey

    BOARD MEMBER
    Owner, Relish Culinary
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  • Emily Haws

    BOARD MEMBER
    Marketing Consultant
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  • Nicole Rogers

    BOARD MEMBER
    Co-Founder, GriffJack and True Origins Food

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  • Nicole Quandt

    BOARD MEMBER
    Director of Sales and Hospitality, The Wine Group
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  • Barbara Barrielle

    Barbara Barrielle

    Northern Sonoma Wine Salons
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  • Barbara Fitzgerald

    Barbara Fitzgerald

    Owner, Apri La Creative Consulting

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  • Barbara Gorder

    Barbara Gorder

    Owner, Undisclosed Location (UNLO)

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  • Betsy Nachbaur

    Co-manager, Acorn Winery & Alegria Vineyards

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  • Cheryl Quist

    Cheryl Quist

    Executive Director, Petaluma Gap Winegrowers Alliance

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  • Cindy Lasar

    Owner, Wine Country Inspired

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    Cristina Topham

    Chef & Owner Spread Kitchen, LLC
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  • Dana Jaffe

    Dana Jaffe

    The Mill
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  • Dawn Richards

    Dawn Richards

    Owner, The Mad Batter Cakery Company

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  • Domenica Catelli

    Domenica Catelli

    Co-owner Catelli’s Restaurant
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  • Elizabeth Smith

    Freelance Journalist, Copywriter and Wine Judge
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  • Felice Thorpe

    Felice Thorpe

    Owner of Felice Foods
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  • Gayle Sullivan

    Gayle Sullivan

    Dry Creek Peach
    Owner, organic farmer
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  • Gibson Thomas

    Gibson Thomas

    Edible Marin & Wine Country Magazine
    Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
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  • Jenn Malinowski

    Chef/Owner of Wholly Bowl

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  • Jill Olson

    Jill Olson

    Owner, Sonoma Coast Spirits

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  • Julie Schreiber, consultant winemaker

    Julie Schreiber

    Consultant winemaker, head chef
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  • Karen Rowley

    Karen Rowley

    Owner, Many More Travels

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  • Kathleen Thompson Hill

    Kathleen Thompson Hill

    Chef, writer, culinary historian
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  • Kimberly-Belle

    Kimberly Belle

    Partner & Coach, Salt & Roe

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  • Lisa Amaroli

    Lisa Amaroli

    Director of Winemaking, Benziger Winery

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  • Lisa Hasen

    Director Premium Dining Solutions, Sodexo

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  • Lise Asimont

    Lise Asimont

    Co-owner, Dot Winery
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  • Lori Pike

    Lori Pike

    National PR Manager, Folio Fine Wine Partners

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  • Mary Beth Vierra

    Mary Beth Vierra

    Crush Course Wine
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  • Melissa Smith

    Founder of Enotrias Elite Sommelier Services and Sky Somm

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    Michelle Wood

    Owner/Chef of Dim Sum and Then Sum Catering

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  • Missy Will

    Missy Will Wine & Food Events
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    Nanette Humer

    Co-Owner Salute Santé!

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  • Naomi Smith

    Naomi Smith

    Vice President of Sales for Champagne Laurent-Perrier
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    Rickey Trombetta Stancliff

    Owner, Trombetta Family Wines

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  • Ronda Brittian

    Ronda Brittian

    Co-Founder, Ronda’s Fine Foods

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  • Sallie Miller

    Sallie Miller

    Director Social Enterprise, Homeward Bound of Marin

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  • Samantha Carpenter

    Samantha Carpenter

    Communications & PR specialist
    FeatureM PR
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  • Serena Lourie

    Serena Lourie

    Co-owner, Cartograph Wines | B Corp
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  • Sheana Davis

    Sheana Davis

    Chef & Proprietor, The Epicurean Connection
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  • Stephanie Jordan

    Sales Manager West at World’s Best Cheese Inc.
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  • Susan Idell

    Susan Idell

    Idell Family Vienyards
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  • Tara Jasper

    Tara Jasper

    Founder, SipSong Spirits & SipSong Tea
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  • Tracey Shepos Cenami

    Tracey Shepos Cenami

    Chef de Cuisine
    Jackson Family Wines
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  • Traci Dutton

    Sommelier, Wine Educator, Wine Writer

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  • Virginie Boone

    Virginie Boone

    Wine writer / reviewer
    Wine Enthusiast Media
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  • Whitney Reuling

    Executive Director, Sonoma Family Meal

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    Ziggy Eschliman

    CEO & Owner, ZigStyle

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