Coffee & Tea Time at the Emerald Necklace Inn

By Jessie Lindawan, Edited by Shara Bohach
Photos by Jessie Lindawan














On Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, Dame and Chapter Historian Gloria Cipri Kemer welcomed more than 15 members to her charming Emerald Necklace Inn’s Tea Room. Overlooking the Rocky River Reservation, the Inn is located in Fairview Park and was built in 1863 during the Civil War. It originally operated as the area’s first County General Store and now functions as one of the area’s most loved bed and breakfast establishments.

After arriving, Dames enjoyed a Pear Ginger Apple Cider with rum, an orange slice and orange sugar rim. Two varieties of Deviled Eggs and Liver Pâté with crackers proved to be a delicious accompaniment and tasty beginning to the evening. A savory Tomato Vegetable Rice Soup with Smokey Lapsang Tea Spice was served as the meeting was brought to order.

Treasurer Beth Davis Noragon provided an overview on the Chapter’s financials, and a motion to approve the report was accepted.

Following was Dame Terry Frick with an update on the Les Dames D’Escoffier National Conference in Charleston, S.C., from Oct. 29-Nov. 1, 2015. Terry discussed how inspired she was by all the talented women from LDEI’s 36 chapters and felt strengthened by plethora of incredible women in the food industry. She encouraged members to continue to support the presence of women in Cleveland’s food industry.

Chapter President Carol Hacker provided an update on conference scholarships and announced that two scholarships would be awarded for the 2016 conference, which will be held in Washington, D.C. Carol is graciously donating her President's stipend for another member to attend. Declaring 2016 as the “Year of Membership,” Carol’s goal is to add 10 new members.

Shara Bohach, Communications Chair, shared a postcard she designed that Dames can use to give to potential members or those who are interested in learning more about LDEI.

Grants and Scholarship Chair Jennifer Brush gave a quick overview on the Chapter’s streamlined grants application process and asked members what else we can do to improve. Dames discussed the possibility of identifying two to three non-profits and inviting them to a future LDEI meeting to give a brief presentation on what they do.

Co-Vice President Cynthia Schuster Eakin discussed fundraising opportunities, recalling a successful approach from the Vancouver Chapter and its Les Dames Summer Dine.

After committee updates concluded, Dames enjoyed the main dish of the evening: Baltimore Crab Cakes, Chicken Florentine, Potato Pancakes with Mushroom Julienne and Eggplant topped with Tomato and Feta Cheese.

Dames were then treated to an intriguing presentation from Annie Denton with Red Cedar Coffee Company, located in Berea. Annie discussed her family’s business and rich history in coffee bean sourcing and roasting. She will be traveling to Costa Rica in February to source the beans for Red Cedar’s future specialty coffee blends.



As the meeting came to an end, members enjoyed homemade apple strudel topped with whipping cream and a complimentary 2-ounce bag of Red Cedar coffee.

The Cleveland Chapter’s next Les Dames d’Escoffier meeting will be held on Jan. 11, 2016 at Green City Growers.

Inspirational Keynote Address at the Conference

By Shara Bohach

Much was inspirational at the Les Dames d'Escoffier conference this October in Austin, Texas. Each session offered valuable insight into running the chapter and/or running one's business. The keynote address by Roz Mallet, "Texas Roots to National Stage" was particularly energizing.

Rosalyn (Roz) Mallet offered inspiring words about actively managing your career and moving it forward through instinct, innovation, mentoring, and values-based leadership. Overcoming odds as a double minority, Roz states that you never know what you cannot do until you try. She spoke with passion about opportunities in the restaurant industry, asserting that if you work hard, develop and believe in your instincts, and proceed with confidence, you can do anything.

In her ten tips for outstanding leadership, she includes “seek mentors and seek to mentor.” The giving back is equally, if not more important. With the help of mentors at every step of her career path, Roz has gone from working summers in college as a restaurant cashier to high-level positions with restaurant brands we all know, to becoming the first African-American woman to lead the National Restaurant Association (only the third woman to be chair of the board in their 96 year history).

Always a well-prepared risk-taker, Roz left a highly successful corporate career to start an entrepreneurial business, at the start of a recession, no less. She succeeded in building PhaseNext Hospitality, a multi-brand franchise operating company, in non-traditional foodservice locations such as airports and military bases. She consistently seeks out unique opportunities, and creates business from them.

Roz encouraged Dames to "learn the bad lessons very, very well, because those are the most important," and to "allow someone to ask you what could you have done better." These are the insights that will guide you toward your next success.