April 25, 2017

Welcome to the Fine Foodie Philanthropist

Welcome to the Fine Foodie Philanthropist! I am so excited to share this project with you all…something I have talked about for way too long, and finally decided to pursue. With a crazy, hectic and fun-filled life, I wanted to do more of what sets my soul on fire—write!

I am a farmer’s wife who loves fine food, wine and giving back to our local community. I plan to share with you stories behind the wine and details of my culinary adventures, while also highlighting charitable events from Lodi, California and beyond.

During the week I am a Program Coordinator for the Hutchins Street Square Foundation, a local non-profit in the Lodi community. I am married to a third generation wine grapegrower, Craig Ledbetter, of Vino Farms. In 2013, we were blessed with an adorable son Chase, who shows me what love and compassion mean on a daily basis. He also never stops talking and is full of more energy than humanly possible.

My Family: Husband Craig and son Chase (4)

When I’m not working or spending time with my family, you can usually find me doing one of three things:

Volunteering for local organizations or hosting a dinner party
Seeking out the finest foodie spots
Sipping on wine (o.k. maybe a cocktail, but for the purposes of this blog, we’ll say wine).

Event planning is something I love to do, but I never wanted it to be a full time job. I am fortunate that I can use my creativity to help direct multiple fundraisers a year in our region. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Lodi Boys and Girls Club, am a member of Omega Nu (a community service sorority that fundraises for local non-profits) and was part of a collaborative group of young business leaders who launched the Young Professionals Committee of the Lodi Chamber of Commerce. I also assist the Lodi Community Foundation with administrative and media needs. These organizations keep me busy, and occasionally stress me out…but I find giving back to our local community keeps my heart full.

Table setting for a Wine Blogger Conference Dinner in August of 2016, Lodi, CA.

I love to travel and with a husband in the wine business, I consider myself lucky to attend food and wine events around the country. My true passion is food…one passed down from my late father, who I watched intently in the kitchen as a child. I was the only 7-year-old that enjoyed a red wine sauce on my filet mignon or a good grand marnier souffle. He always told me I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. So this one’s for you Dad…following the things I love in this beautiful world and sharing them on my new blog, The Fine Foodie Philanthropist! I hope you will join me on my epicurean journey and beyond.

Stay tuned…May is going to be a jam packed month!