By Donna Cornelius
The Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International is once again taking picnics to a whole new level with Champagne & Fried Chicken, the group’s annual fundraiser.
Set for Sept. 29 at Birmingham’s Pepper Place, the event stars Southern-fried chicken produced in partnership with Jack’s Family Restaurants. There’s also a vegetarian option: a vegetable frittata and pesto pasta salad from Sorelle.
Here’s how C&FC works: From 4-7 p.m., you can drive through and pick up your picnic to take home, or you can unpack and enjoy it at outdoor tables at the market, where a band will be playing until 7 p.m.
Each picnic has Dame-produced sides, including new potato salad with tarragon and shallot vinaigrette and fresh herbs from Kathy G & Co. and Tre Luna Catering, collard green Caesar salad with focaccia croutons and Parmigiano Reggiano by chef Rita Bernhardt of Luca, Ashley Mac’s sour cream biscuits, Southern dill pickles from chef Lindsey Noto King, a fresh pear and French cheese board from IZ Weddings & Events, a demi baguette from Corey Hinkel, honey from Eastaboga Bee Co., homemade banana pudding from Dreamland Bar-B-Que, a pistachio-sour cherry financier from Big Spoon Creamery, and a bottle of French bubbly.
These goodies are packed into a reusable market tote along with colorful dahlias from Stone Hollow Farmstead. Plates, napkins and cutlery are included.
A tote and all its contents is available for a $175 donation. To snag your bag and for more information, visit ldeibirmingham.org. Follow LDEI Birmingham on social media, as well, for the latest updates about the event and the organization.
Also on the website, you can sign up for an opportunity to enjoy 12 $100 gift cards from some of Birmingham’s leading restaurants, many of which are Dame-owned or Dame-run. The cards are redeemable within one year of the drawing.
The Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International is an organization of more than 100 resident leaders and experts in the food and beverage industries. LDEI is committed to growing, creating, promoting and sharing local food culture.
The Birmingham group was founded in 2013 with 55 members – one of the largest initial memberships in the history of the organization. Members are chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, caterers, farmers, food retailers, event planners, cookbook authors, food writers and editors, nutritionists and registered dietitians, food photographers, food and prop stylists, winemakers and wine-industry professionals, food publicists, food-service professionals, culinary educators and hospitality executives.
The money raised by Champagne & Fried Chicken is awarded to students, teachers, female entrepreneurs and food-related nonprofits across Alabama. LDEI supports college education, funds projects for high school students, helps women-owned businesses grow, and assists with other food-related work in the Birmingham area.
Pepper Place is at 2807 Second Ave. S in Birmingham.
