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As holiday thanks readers, through the generosity of Le Creuset, I’m giving away a six piece set of classic French cookware in cherry red. This colorful set goes from oven to table effortlessly and includes a large 5 1/2-quart round covered French oven, a 2 1/4-quart covered saucier, a 10-inch square skillet grill, and an 8- x 11-inch rectangular roasting dish.

This time of year traditionally food bloggers get together to raise money for charity.

So I’d like to offer these charities up as places where you can give this holiday season. No donation is required to enter for a chance to get this fantastic set of cookware. But just the other day, I was watching television on the devastation in many parts of the world, and was sitting in my heated apartment with a refrigerator full of food, and realized how fortunate I am.

It’s easy to forget or to click away to something more entertaining when we see a natural disaster or a face filled with misery. But instead I sat down at my desk and sent a donation to Doctors Without Borders, an international aid organization. It took just a few minutes and no matter how much you can contribute, any amount would be greatly appreciated.


Five charities that I would like to point out that could use help this year:

Doctors Without Borders: This organization provides urgent medical care to people in areas struck by emergencies.

Share Our Strength: Carol at Alinea at Home is starting her annual campaign for Share Our Strength to help feel hungry kids.

101 Cookbooks Kiva Group: This organization helps distribute loans to small businesses in underdeveloped countries and you can loan money to help a specific individual begin a new life.

Stoves for Darfur: This is an amazing initiative started by a young American teenager to provide low-cost stoves for women who normally gather wood, walking at great lengths and often getting assaulted (or worse), just trying to feed themselves and their families.

The Smile Train: The Smile Train provides free surgical procedures to children to fix cleft palates, which gives kids around the world a reason to smile.

Although a donation isn’t required for a chance to win this fantastic set of Le Creuset cookware for your kitchen, please do consider helping out one of these charities if you possibly can this holiday season.


NOTE: The give-away has ended (see #1, below) and comments have been closed. The winner will be notified by e-mail on Christmas Day. Thanks to everyone who participated and hope you all have a terrific holiday! -dl

To Enter

1. Simply leave a comment below. When you leave a comment, please include your correct e-mail address in the field that asks for it. It will not be visible to the public there, so do not leave it in the actual comment area.

I will close comments promptly on December 24, 2010 at noon Paris time, and the person who will receive this set of cookware will be chosen by a random number generator, then contacted by e-mail on Christmas Day. Winner must respond by December 31, 2010 noon Paris time, or forfeit the cookware. No exceptions.

2. Le Creuset can only ship this set to a winner in the United States due to customs and other restrictions. (If you want to gripe about things available in the states that aren’t available elsewhere, the line begins here…) Shipping is included to all 50 states although winner is responsible for any local taxes or charges levied, if applicable.

If you live abroad and you wish to bid, you can do so only if you: 1) Have a mailing address in the US that accepts parcels, or 2) Use a mail and parcel forwarding service. If you choose to use one, you will be responsible for any and all fees, including customs, duties, and taxes that may be levied. I have no experience using one but you can find one by searching Google, using the search words “International Forward Shipping.”

3. Only one entry per person. Multiple entries will all be disqualified and you will get a lump of coal in your Christmas stocking. (Or worse.) When you enter, you agree to the delivery terms listed above. No purchase required.

4. Bonne chance! (Good luck!)


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6,697 comments

    • Kaja

    Happy Holidays!

    • Bridget

    How cool — love the blog, love the charity recommendations, love Le Creuset. Happy holidays!

    • Jani

    Great suggestions – thanks for the reminder, and for the opportunity to win an amazing gift!

    • sophia

    Happy Winter Solstice (with a lunar eclipse to boot)! Thanks for this wonderful opportunity and providing links to worthy charities.
    S

    • Natalie

    Well, this would be simply lovely. Thanks for reminding us all about charitable giving this time of year — it can be overlooked in the hub-bub of Christmas commercialism.

    • hrl

    I found your site when I was googling butterscotch pudding. It was a hit and I got my friends into your site too. So glad I stumbled upon you.

    • Patricia G

    Happy Holidays!

    • Julie

    Great post!

    • Sara C.

    What a great give-a-way! I’d love to be the lucky winner. Thanks!

    buffcorn@juno.com

    • Carrie

    I have always wanted a set of these, and I love red!

    • Poonam

    How could I say no to this? You’ve also given me a reminder to get my butt into gear and get my holiday MSF donation in before Christmas/NYE. A refreshing change for me!

    • IH

    I love your blog!

    • IH

    Wow!

    • Jennifer M

    Thank you for sharing these great links. I just got an update that my latest Kiva loan has been halfway paid back. This is a gift I really love giving because it is easy and fun and meaningful to continue sharing it and feeling connected to those experiencing different challenges. Happy holidays!

    • Zach Pinkerton

    Le Creuset makes everything better! Incidentally, thanks for the tip about the Boozehound book – it is almost as good as yours!

    • Carolyn

    Ooh, I would love to own these. I’ve been coveting a duch oven for quite some time, not to mention all the other delightful goodies here. Thanks, and happy holidays!

    • Regina

    Doctors Without Borders is a long-time favorite charity of my family. What amazing work they do! Thanks for the reminder, David. My husband and mother will learn that I have made donations in their names.

    • Kärt

    Wow, so many comments! Also, i love your blog (like many others)!

    • Marianna

    Thanks for the reality check! Merry Christmas!

    • Jenny

    Beautiful, just like this blog. I would love it.

    • M

    Wow, there are a lot of comments already. Pick me, pick me!

    • ayezee

    I would <3 this!

    • Kelly

    Excellent reminder about charitable giving this season. Happy holidays!

    • SimplySara

    I’ve always wanted Le Creuset cookware. thank you for the donation inspiration as well

    • Lesley

    Merci, David!

    • sharon grilley

    I’m thankful for you, David!

    • Carla Crujido

    made a holiday donation to surfrider.
    happy oceans, happy people, happy holidays.

    • Ashley

    My favorite Christmas gift? Donations to charities like the above.

    • Jessica

    OH Le Creuset…how I would adore you in my kitchen.

    • Samantha

    Oh, I would be so enthralled with such a gorgeous set of cookware.

    • stella starlite

    I’m a new fan of Heifer International. And I’d love a new set of cookware!

    • Billie

    I usually give to Doctors Without Borders. What a great list and thanks for the chance to win the cookware!

    • Heather

    Thanks for the reminder of helping others this holiday season.

    • Kelly

    What a lovely give-away! I’ve been working with hand me down pots and pans for quite some time so something of my very own would be heavenly! Happy Christmas =)

    • David Dilio

    These would be wonderful! Thanks for the chance!

    • mb

    Cheers, David. You’re right – it’s very easy to selfishly think of only ourselves during this time of year (as we all enter to win a gorgeous set of le creuset cookware), but the charities you listed are fantastic. Thanks for reminding us to look outside of ourselves.

    • megan

    thank you, david lebovitz, for your wonderful blog. you do a service to humanity.
    …hoping to make others feel lucky this holiday season too.

    • Sam

    J’adore le Creuset!

    • Jerry

    Happy Holidays!

    • Christine

    Two friends of mine have Le Creuset cookware and rave about them so much I finally put a piece on my Christmas list this year. I don’t think it made under the tree though. This would be a fantastic set to own. Good luck to everyone!

    • Nicole L.

    Thanks for offering this giveaway, David! I donated to the National Alliance to End Homelessness this year. Thank you for reminding us that so many are in desperate need this holiday season, and that many of us can make a difference to these people.

    • Suzanne

    Merry Christmas David!

    • Maggie

    I would love to win this set! I’m a college student living in an apartment for the first time this year, and have some basics but not all of the things I would like. Like you said, though, it’s important to look at the bigger picture! I have food and a warm place to sleep and am getting a quality education. That’s what matters the most.

    I think it’s wonderful that this time of year seems to bring the best out of everyone- all around us is generosity and caring. Thanks for promoting these fabulous charities and happy holidays!

    • Cathy

    Thank you and Happy Holidays!

    • Emily

    Thanks for the reminder, David. Hopefully this gets some of us to give a little more this season.
    Not gonna lie, though, my fingers are crossed.

    • Allison

    Looks beautiful! Love your ice cream!

    • Eliza

    Kiva is a great organization! Glad you’re supporting it also!

    • Heather

    What a fantastic listing and a great reminder for the true spirit of the holiday.

    • Liz

    Merry Christmas, David! I love this set, I wanna with them!

    • Angie V

    Thank you for the chance win, my charity goes to someone very special to me who is in a need for a kidney and pancreas transplant, it is very personal, the daily struggle of the disease and dealing with the “system” is very exhausting, yet he carries on like a trooper. Merry Christmas

    • Sue

    It’s so great to hear that you donate to MSF! I hope to work for them after I complete my medical training.

    • Karina Leal

    Thanks for providing a new list of charities Partners in Health is my go to charity and also a great organization. Happy holidays.

    • Andrew

    I usually use staub, but this could sway me.

    • Stephanie Rizzo

    As a 6th grade teacher in Florida, my favorite charity to both donate to and tout is http://www.agiftforteaching.org

    They provide classroom supplies (over $50 million a year!) to Florida schools, as well as clothing for students in need. It’s a great organization, and one that is trying to establish branches in other states.

    In other news, David- I adore you.

    • Jane Huber

    Wow, great give away!

    • Kat

    I love organizations like Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org/) where you can request that family and friends buy livestock or other similar things for families in need internationally.

    With regards to Le Creuset, I practically took my right arm to buy the one I have. I would love love love to win more.

    • Maxine

    Such a great story and concept behind Stoves for Darfur. Thanks for the introduction to their good work!

    • Stan R.

    Very nice looking set. The skillet grill has me very interested in getting one.

    • CJ Anderson

    Wow!

    • Debra levitt

    I have had my Le Creuset pots since 1978…the complete set is not complete due to a few unintentional burnings of rice and other unintended ccidents. It would be wonderful to start again.
    Thanks for your website and your continuous flow of great information and inspiration.

    • Amber F.

    Ooooh, that red is gorgeous.

    • Claire

    Gorgeous cookware and support for many wonderful charities. A happy post all around : )

    • Kristine

    lovely pieces! it would be nice to be able to cook with them!

    • Dime Store Foodie

    David,
    What a great post! It is always good to promote great charities that do amazing work. I think that it is very easy to get wrapped up in what Christmas isn’t about and forget about what it SHOULD be about. It is very inspiring to have people like you promoting the gift of giving to those who are less fortunate than a lot of us are. I think you definately landed on the nice list! Merry Christmas!

    • Caroline

    This is a great giveaway and you are helping raise awareness for great causes!

    • Anne

    Dare to dream! I am using my grandmother’s la cruset skillet (easily 40+ years old and going strong) and would love it to have some friends.

    • Melissa Mullin

    So appreciate the reminder – of my daily tremendous fortune. Heat and food! Promptly gave to 101 Cookbooks Kiva Group. Thank you for your blog. -M

    • Lindsey

    Holy moly. I love Le Creuset. I have a really old pan from my mom that I use constantly.

    Happy Holidays.

    • Kimberly

    What a great xmas giveaway

    • Ashley

    Amazing post, thank you for bringing these charities to light. I’d love to win this set for my mom who taught me everything I know about cooking good food, she deserves this!

    • Kim in NashVegas

    LOVE Le Creuset!

    • S White

    What a great way to use your social contacts in a positive manner and give back to those in need of help!

    Happy Holidays!

    • L

    Le Creuset is awesome!

    • Laurie

    Happy Holidays, David. Thanks for all of the great recipes – and entertaining reads. And a good reminder today regarding generosity.

    • Kathrine

    Thanks for the charity links!

    • Annie H

    I love Le Creuset and you chose excellent charities. I always try to do my part during the holidays to help others.

    • Joanne

    I hadn’t heard of several of the organizations you listed. Thanks for sharing.
    Happy Holidays!

    • Meg

    David – I love your blog! Thanks for highlighting these very worthy charities – Merry Christmas!!

    • Tanis

    Love your blog

    • Laurelyn Wolf

    Happy Holidays! Thank you for keeping me connected to Paris all year long.

    • teresa mcmeans

    will i get lucky for once???

    • Angela

    What an incredible set. And thank you for the reminder to share our blessings with those in need.

    • Sheila

    Oh lordy what I would give to get that! They are just not to be had where I live. I made your caramel xmas cake. Have it foiled away in a cool place. I do a rum dribble every now and then. Hope to taste it on Xmas Day! Happy holidays. And great cooking in the new year!

    • Violeta

    Hey everyone, if you want your dollars to go directly to a community project, with no overhead, donate to Peace Corps Partnership projects here (you can browse and pick your favorite):
    http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=donate

    Merry Christmas!

    • Nadia

    Beautiful color on the le Creuset! Happy Holidays, I’ve spent a lot of time in France and LOVE this blog.

    • Kristen Baggerly

    Our family just made a group donation to Kiva.org, it’s such a great cause and a nice feeling to be able to help others completely change their lives, then use that money again and again to keep on giving!

    • Lauren

    ::sigh:: Le Creuset products make me drool. The colors! The quality! But, despite their loveliness, I promise to behave myself if I’m fortunate enough to be selected as the owner of these beauties.

    • Rachel

    zomg. What a nice set!

    I’m glad to see Doctors Without Borders on your list…. They’re on my list of places I give to when I can. :-)

    • J

    Thank you for keeping me in touch with my heart home, Paris, and for inviting me into a moment of thankfulness for this abundant life.

    • Steve H

    Great recipes. I just found this site a few weeks ago and wish I found it much earlier.

    • Jeff

    Thanks for a great list of worthy charities. Best wishes to you and your readers for a happy and healthy 2011.

    • erica

    Happy Holidays…May the next year bring more fortune to those in need…

    • Alexis H.

    David, happy holidays! Great post. We all need to be reminded from time to time about opportunities to help people in need. I really enjoy your blog and I’m looking forward to dispatches from the food blogger camp in Mexico this year. I wish I could have made it.

    • Debbi

    Thanks for reminding everyone that this is the season of giving. And thanks for the great give-away!

    • Deanna

    I always think fondly of you at Christmas. Finding your blog solved a what to give for Christmas problem (ice cream maker and The Perfect Scoop!) I saw a segment on This Week about the problem of child malnutrition in Guatemala due to lack of affordable protein. Heifer International is charity worth looking at also.

    • Kelly

    Thanks for the list of charities, and holding the give away. Merry Christmas!

    • GuruAmrit Khalsa

    Happy Holidays David!

    • Hilary

    What a great giveaway! And great causes listed there; I may add one to my list of annual donations.

    • Meredith

    Love the color! Thanks for the opportunity and the remainder about charitable giving!

    • Sara M

    This would be the best Christmas present!!

    • Katherine Garretson

    I usually give to a local soup kitchen/shelter.

    • Anne Barrow

    It would be lovely to win, of course… And it’s lovely of you and le creuset to offer the contest. Have a wonderful holiday season David, and all the best to you and your terrific blog in 2011!

    My charities of choice this year are/were Doctors without Borders, Partners in Health, Smile Train (I have a cleft palate too!), Heifer International, a local conservation organization, and a regional/national one.

    May good things be yours, this year, and always…

    • Meredith

    Love the color! Thanks for the opportunity and the reminder about charitable giving!

    • Roxane

    merry christmas. so fabulous of you to use your (apparently very loud) voice to inspire generosity, the most amazing thing about giving, is that it is often the greatest gift you will receive.

    • bhagheerathy

    wow nice set of le creuset…and happy holidays…..actually i’m waiting for ur class in austin tx….thanks

    • Lindy

    I was a bit sad when I first read that it was for US only but then perked right up again when I realized I could send it to my sister so a win all around! Keeping fingers crossed I win and I’ll be the best sister ever! Thanks for putting up the Smile Train charity. I have a good friend whose daughter was born with cleft palate so it’s near to my heart.

    • sonia shaeri

    I love your blog and your sense of humor.
    We are happy to have been able to donate to Doctors without Borders for a few years.
    Happy holidays, may the new year bring peace and joy…

    • Caitlin

    Thanks for posting links to worthy causes. And, of course, for titillating my cooking lusts.

    • Caitlyn

    I would absolutely love to own some Le Creuset cookware of my own! We always do a donation to Heifer International every holiday season to buy an animal for a family in need.

    • Kaitlyn Kissel

    This is amazing! What a great idea for a give-away.

    Thank-you!

    Kaitlyn

    • Alex

    I thought I’d go ahead and give it a shot. Merry Christmas and thanks for the wonderful charity ideas!

    • Matthew

    Joyeux Noël!

    • Lisa W.

    Great way to get people focused on charitable giving for the holidays — Thanks and Happy Holidays to you and your readers!

    • Erin Castleman

    Happy Holidays, David. Your “Ready for Desserts” recipes are making an appearance on my holiday table.

    • shandygirl

    Excellent charities all–thank you for recommending them. We also donate to education projects through DonorsChoose.org.

    • Elizabeth D in MA

    KIVA is a great organization. Check them out, if you haven’t already.

    • Regina

    I’m so glad you highlighted charities during the holiday season. It’s so easy to get caught up in all of the commercialism and forget to think of others.

    • Jennifer

    I would like to enter the contest. Thanks, David!

    • Amy G.

    Love!

    • mommyk8

    Fantastic! I’d love to win this set. I have the large pot, but would kick it down to my little sister if I won!

    • Amy

    Lovely! A great reminder that the season is about giving.

    Joyeux Noel! Happy Holidays!

    P.S….was recently in Paris and went to your culinary/cooking store recs. Loved them, thanks!

    • Chris Huck

    Love my Le Creuset!!

    • kaela

    Merry Christmas, Happy Hols, & Joyeux Noel! Thanks for the good charitable suggestions…

    • Caitlin

    I love Le Creuset! But I love my sister more, which is why I’m going to say everyone should consider donating to the NGO that she works for…http://www.motivation.org.uk/

    They do great development work focusing on disabled people.

    • Ross Johnson

    Once again the exceptional people in the culinary world prove that fine food flows from loving hearts. Thank you for the reminder.

    • Nancy

    Usually I look to your site for a bit of evil (directed at my waistline,) but today there was nothing but goodness. Kudos, Sir.

    • Rachel

    Great charity choices!

    • dafna

    Happy New Year!

    • Skye Livingston

    Kiva is so great, my class raised over $1,000 to lend to several entrepreneurs this semester. It’s fantastic. Just like the gingersnap recipe you posted three years ago that I just made.

    • Charlotte

    Oh that color is beautiful. And thank for the reminder that I also have much to be thankful for this Christmas.

    • carol diamond

    Love Le Creuset, but am afraid I will drop it on my toes! Thanks for everything you do, David.

    • Dafna

    oh em gee want these. I love your blog. Will you ever come to Seattle? I hope to come to Paris someday..

    • Allison

    what a wonderful way to give and receive! happy holidays!

    • Kari Young

    I really like GivingAnonymously.org – they let you give an anonymous gift to anyone you know in need. It is a great way to help people in your community. And I LOVE le Creuset!

    • Foodiebia

    Doctors without Borders is one of my favorite charities. Very inspiring.

    • Lisa

    My heart leapt when I saw this… and sank when I saw 2,000+ comments. But it’s worth a shot! Happy Holidays to you, and thanks for the reminder about opportunities to give to others in need.

    • arroyo huichica

    I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of years and every recipe, every Paris recommendation that I’ve followed up on has been great. Smiletrain is a favorite charity, I’m happy to see you’ve included it in your list. Bonne Natale David, and best wishes for the new year.

    • Aparna Choudhury

    Thank you for listing and supporting these charities. I know they appreciate it.

    Happy Holidays.

    • Nicole Macias

    omg I would die and then cook up a storm!

    • Leah

    Everyone can always use a new pot!

    • Karen

    All worthy causes. I should definitely donate.

    • Judi Suttles

    Thanks for reminding me how fortunate I am indeed! Doctors Without Borders is a
    wonderful charity. I have donated to Share Our Strenght for years, also
    Thank you for writing this blog as it has provided me with many wonderful recipes.
    May happiness brighten your Holidays and every day of the New Year

    • Jenny Massey

    Always wanted Le Creuset! Crossing my fingers! Merry Christmas!

    • Barclay Berberian

    My wife and I would love to win this cookware set!

    Merry Christmas to all!

    • Jill Neal

    I’d love to have this set in my kitchen.

    I love you and love your blog. Thanks for the great kitchen ideas.

    • L. T.

    I would love this!

    • Becca Stokes

    LE GASP. This would be a veritable true come true.

    • elaine

    love le crueset, love charity presents at the holidays. i give heifer international a lot but am looking at something different this year…thanks for the list!

    • Carrie

    David, Kissing ass probably won’t help, but you are my favorite food blogger and one of my favorite Twitterers (???) too. I follow a bunch of comedians and truly, you rank among them as one of the funniest. Love your irreverent style, my friend, and hope to visit Paris again one day and celebrity spot you at a local boulangerie or even better, fromagerie. Cheers!

    • Meghan

    What a beautiful set! You reminder to help those in need – both abroad and in the US – is what the holiday season is all about. Happy Holidays!

A

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