Champagne, fried chicken and prizes—LDEI’s fundraiser has it all

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Breaded meets bubbly in Les Dames D’Escoffier International Birmingham‘s annual fundraiser Champagne & Fried Chicken on Sunday, October 18 from 2:30-5:30PM at The Market at Pepper Place. Discover why this year’s event stands out, plus find out how to order your own picnic basket, cocktails and more.

Who is LDEI?

LDEI is a worldwide society of women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality. Their mission—to grow, create, promote and share local food culture by celebrating its diversity, uniqueness and time-honored traditions.

The organization, which was founded in 1976 in New York, now has 40 chapters in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Mexico. This includes our very own Magic City, which began its own chapter of LDEI in 2013.

One of the many exciting things about LDEI Birmingham is their deep commitment to supporting and empowering women of all ages across Alabama through scholarship and grant programs.

Through fundraising events like Champagne & Fried Chicken, LDEI Birmingham is able to raise funds for students, female-owned companies and organizations around the Birmingham area. The money goes toward supporting their education, helping local food businesses grow and assisting local nonprofits to continue their work in the community.

Champagne, Fried Chicken + More

Due to COVID-19, LDEI Birmingham has something all-new in store for their annual fundraiser. This year, instead of an in-person gathering, they’ll be hosting a drive-through pickup picnic dinner basket at The Market at Pepper Place on Sunday, October 18.

Awesome, right? Well, it gets even better. 

Each picnic basket serves two people and includes a delicious meal prepared by some of Birmingham’s most talented local chefs and restaurants. Here’s a peek at what you’ll find in your basket:

• Southern Fried Chicken (a vegetarian frittata prepared by Dame Joy Smith, owner of Sorelle Catering is also available)
• New Potato Salad with Shallot Vinaigrette and Fresh Herbs prepared by Dame Kathy G. Mezrano of Kathy G & Co.
• Kale Salad with Snow’s Bend Organic Fall Vegetables and Dried Fruits prepared by Dame Ashley McMakin of Ashley Mac’s using produce from Dame Margaret Ann Snow of Snow’s Bend Farm and Southern Organics
• Corn Muffins prepared by Dame Brittany Cheatham, pastry chef of Satterfield’s
• Biscuits prepared by Dame Jennifer Yarbrough of Crestline Bagel Co.
• Fresh pear and cheese
• French Sable Cookies prepared by Dame Becky Satterfield of Satterfield’s and El ZunZún

You can’t have a Champagne & Fried Chicken event without the bubbly, so each basket will also be stocked with a chilled bottle of champagne for you and your dining companion. 

Picnic baskets and vegetarian picnic baskets are available for $150 and must be purchased in advance. Pickup is set for October 18 at Pepper Place between 2:30PM and 5:30PM. Reserve yours now.

Bonus: everyone who orders a picnic basket will receive a tasty freebie that is sure to make you pop in excitement—a small treat bag from Naughty But Nice Kettle Corn or Happy City Boxes (owned by LDEI Birmingham member Barbara Kenyon).

Looking for Cocktails?

Also on the LDEI Birmingham’s Champagne & Fried Chicken fundraiser drink menu—Craft Cocktail Box created by Dames Rachael Roberts of The Atomic Lounge and Laura Newman of Queen’s Park. Each Craft Cocktail Box is $25 and includes two pre-mixed drinks.

All Craft Cocktail Boxes will be available for pickup on Sunday, October 18 at Pepper Place between 2:30PM and 5:30PM. Order here.

Enter the Raffle and Score $1200 in Prizes 

A drive-through picnic basket pickup isn’t the only new addition to LDEI Birmingham’s 2020 Champagne & Fried Chicken fundraiser. This year, there will also be a raffle—and the prizes are incredible! 

Raffle winners will receive 12 $100 gift cards from restaurants around the Magic City. Some include:

• OvenBird
• Satterfield’s
• El ZunZun
• Gianmarco’s
• The Bright Star
• Hot + Hot Fish Club
  

Only two lucky people will win, so consider purchasing several tickets to increase your chance to win. Raffle tickets are available for $25.

Shop LDEI Birmingham’s Fundraising Store

Picnic baskets and Craft Cocktail Boxes aren’t the only must-have items available for purchase via LDEI Birmingham’s fundraising store. They’re also offering:

• Unique Dame-led virtual experiences
• Virtual wine tastings
• Specialty items like books, art and gift certificates to local eateries. 
• And more!

Shop now and support LDEI Birmingham.

Order now!

Don’t forget! All picnic baskets, Craft Cocktail Boxes and raffle tickets must be purchased in advance. Picnic baskets are going fast! Place your order now to ensure pickup on Sunday, October 18 between 2:30PM and 5:30PM at The Market at Pepper Place. 

For more information on Les Dames D’Escoffier International Birmingham, visit their website and follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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