She's Marcella Rosene -- founder of Pasta & Co. and editor of "Cooking with Les Dames D'Escoffier: at Home with the Women Who Shape the Way We Eat and Drink" -- published this month by Seattle's own Sasquatch Books ($35). This is a big, gift-worthy tome, with recipes from Dames past and present, including the aforementioned locals as well as internationally acclaimed Big Name Dames, among them: M.F.K. Fisher, Julia Child, Alice Waters and Marcella Hazan. Edited by Rosene with help from Pat Mozersky (who founded Ma Maison Cooking School), it's a compilation tips, beverage pairings and stories, and most notably of recipes these Dames make at home for their family and friends.

So, what is Les Dames D'Escoffier? And what does this organization comprised of more than 1300 professional women -- working in various fields of food, beverage and hospitality -- do? Named to honor French chef Auguste Escoffier, Les Dames was founded during the era of "women's liberation" as a way to open doors for women in the all-too-male-centric culinary world.

Chapters across the U.S. and Canada have raised nearly $4 million for scholarships and grants -- going primarily to young women striving for careers in the food and beverage industries. In the past decade, Seattle's chapter has distributed over $100,000 for educational programs, community projects and culinary scholarships here in Washington State. But just like girlfriends everywhere, Les Dames also get together to eat, drink, schmooze and have fun.

Speaking of which: the local Dames are hosting their annual fundraising benefit Thursday, October 16 at 6 p.m. at Kathy Casey Food Studios in Ballard, celebrating the debut of their cookbook. Tickets ($110 per person) include a copy of the cookbook and an oppportunity to rub elbows with Rosene and Co. (and taste the recipes of) the Seattle Dames whose house favorites are included in the book.