Les Dames D’Escoffier Sonoma – the local chapter of Julia Child’s worldwide philanthropic society composed of and designed to support female leaders in the food, fine beverage and hospitality industries – is hosting a fundraiser Sunday afternoon with the alliteratively tantalizing title “Birds and Bubbles.”

The event will take place on August 25th from 2pm-5pm at Penngrove Park (11800 Main St.) and is described as “an upscale picnic” and “a picnic with a purpose.” Funds raised will go toward grants and scholarships for women pursuing careers in the culinary arts, fine beverage industry or hospitality.

The event’s poster – featuring a roasted chicken leg (the bird) exploding like a cork from a champagne bottle (the bubbles) – says it all. For $175, attendees receive a picnic basket for two.

The basket contains enough chicken for two hungry people, with sides, biscuits and elegant desserts made by some of Sonoma County’s best and fanciest bakers. Oh, and of course, the basket includes a bottle of sparkling wine.

Les Dames D’Escoffier currently has 45 individual branches throughout France, England, Canada, Mexico and the United States. The first branch was founded by Child in New York in 1976, and the Sonoma branch took shape in 2020.

According to the nonprofit’s website, it has over 2,500 members worldwide, including “chefs, cooking school owners, teachers, culinary historians, food editors, writers, hoteliers, vintners, wine merchants, distillers, restaurant owners, caterers, professors, chocolatiers, bakers, butchers, manufacturers, importers and suppliers.”

To learn more and purchase tickets for Birds and Bubbles, visit the website at Lesdamessoco.org/events.