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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

    • Kelli Samson

    Wow! You are so generous. Thanks for the opportunity! And in my favorite kitchen accent color!

    Thank you for reminding everyone to think of those less fortunate during this time of the year. Hopefully your links will bring a little good will toward others.

    • Autumn

    Médecins Sans Frontières is a wonderful organization and i applaud your support, it’s the only charity I give to regularly. Thanks for the incentive to give again.

    • Kelly Williams

    What a great idea! Though we should give all year long, the holiday spirit is a good reminder to remember those in need. Thanks!

    • Carrie Dore

    Fixing faces so kids have some thing to smile about and the ability to eat normally is a gift in the most meaningful way.

    • Marguerite

    Awesome giveaway, and love your photos on flickr.

    • Carlos Ramirez

    I applaud your efforts. Thanks for the opportunity.

    • MariaGuia Palma

    Wow, you have so many readers! Quickly scrolled thru what seems like Ks of them.
    Have a Merry Christmas, David. Thank you for your generous heart. We support local groups and some abroad.

    • Danielle

    This is so gorgeous! Happy holidays!

    • Moriah

    SWOONDLE. I think if I won these I would (after a long life of cooking with them) be entombed with them, King Tut style.

    • Sheila

    Doctors Without Borders is my charity of choice.
    Love Le Creuset.
    Thank you, David.

    • Kristina

    Oh my! I’ve always wanted these, but never felt I could splurge on them! Thank you for the giveaway! And thank you for reminding us all about some great charities; may we give all year long.

    • anna

    pretty!!!

    love donorschoose.org for a fun interactive gift!

    • Cristy

    Just graduated from pastry school boot camp here in Colorado. I’m very excited to begin my new career in pastry!

    • SMarie

    Sometimes, the holiday season IS about giving…. To the right places. Wonderful charities, all of them! Happy Holidays!

    • Rebecca R

    Helping those who really need it is one of the best things anyone can do, at any time of year. Thanks for encouraging all of us to do so!

    • Marly

    Haha I was just telling my friend how much I’d like to own even one piece of Le Creuset, let alone a set. Thank you for this and for the great list of charities!

    • Adrienne

    Yes please! And Kiva is a fabulous organization. Thanks for reminding me.

    • Erika Lee Sears

    Fingers Crossed I hope I win. I am not sure if you will read all the comments but I do love your blog and love Paris.

    • Angela Nicole

    Oh how I love holiday give-aways!! Thank you for educating me on some great causes as well as offering a gift to your readers for the holidays! :)

    • markH

    Good suggestion to make a charitble contribution this time of year, and that’s a pretty good list.

    • Lynn @ I’ll Have What She’s Having

    It’s so easy to take what we have for granted. All of these charities do incredible work, it’s great of you to highlight what they’re doing!

    • Mary Beth

    This is a great reminder to be thankful, especially now when it is so easy to get caught up in the stress of the season. I just made an online donation to my local food bank!

    • Iva

    I’ve been meaning to join Kiva for a long time; it will be my New Years gift to me. The Le Creuset set will be for my boyfriend who drools over them every time we go to Williams and Sonoma. Happy holidays, David!

    • Amber

    Oh boy, that’s an exciting prize! Good luck to everyone!

    • Tiffany

    These would be great for all my friends and I.

    • Christina

    Good reminder at a time when I feel glutted by my own privileged life. The Smile Train and other organizations like it do such great work. Thanks!

    • Holly B

    I donate to ARF – Tony LaRussa’s Animal Rescue Foundation. I also adopted my dog from the shelter. They are wonderful to all cats and dogs.

    • Beatrice

    Thanks for you charity suggestions. It can be overwhelming sometimes to decide where to give. Operation Smile (http://www.operationsmile.org/) is another great charity that does work similar to Smile Train that I would like to personally recommend.

    Love your site and keeping my fingers crossed! A Le Creuset Christmas would be divine indeed!

    • Jenna Beatty

    This year, my resolution was to become more charitable in general. I finally have found myself financially able to give to others and hope others have a chance to also! Thanks for the list of new ones to give towards!

    • May Ling Wu

    What a fantastic prize!

    • Denise

    Donated to MSF. Thank you for this great chance to win!

    • Spycandy

    Happy Holidays David! I donated to my local food bank.

    • anabanana

    Kiva rocks – I translate loan profiles for them and so many involve food in some way!

    • Ali C

    Pick me!

    • Sara

    whoa, what a giveway! and it’s great that you’ve taken the time to remind everyone to think of those less fortunate. i know this is probably a tired sentiment by now, but all too often it seems that the pleasure of giving is forgotten in the holiday whirlwind.

    • E. Nassar

    Fantastic giveaway. Count me in. Merry Xmas David.

    • Gina Krigbaum

    My regular charities are the American Cancer Association and the AHA, since I have family members affected by both. Thanks for the reminder to always help as much as you can!

    • Denise

    Wow that’s a lot of people commenting!! Happy Holidays!

    • Renee McLeod

    Thank you for connecting all of us to these charities. I am inspired to make a similar offer and direct people that I know to donate to causes that I care about. What a beautiful holiday reminder. Would be terrific to get the cookware, as I would never get that for myself. Bless your great big heart.
    Renee

    • Tula

    This is the season for giving! Thanks for all of your wonderful insights and recipes. You already give us a lot. Le Creuset cookware would just be the frosting on the cake :-)

    • Elaine

    Dave, this is why you rock.

    We all appreciate you for writing up such great recipes and stories and for reminding everyone to think of others.

    • chasse carroll

    Good humor and heart. That’s why I enjoy your blog so much.

    • Jim

    My wife would love this!

    • Nilam Gray

    Love the blog!

    • Rebecca Rury

    Merry Christmas!

    • Roz White

    ahhh good reminder, I’ve donated to MSF and the Lymphoma Association! and hoping Santa brings me some Le Creuset…. :) xx

    • Jacob Remes

    Thanks for this great offer and for the charity suggestions.

    • Lindsay

    Ooh, these would look so lovely on my “new to me” stainless steal stove!

    • ting

    thanks for including the charities, what a great idea. happy holidays!

    • Julianne

    In honor of a recently diagnosed neighbor, I donated to the MS society. Thanks!

    • Shaphan Markelon

    While it would be great to add to my collection of kitchen tools, I am even more thrilled to that to see that David and so many others are willing to help so many others throughout the world. I am a chef and a teacher who volunteers my time here in my community in VT teaching low income families culinary and nutrition classes. Whether it’s in your own neighborhood or one across the globe, please help those who are less fortunate. Happy Holidays-Shaphan!

    • Shaun

    I would love to win!

    • Marisa Horner

    Merry Christmas to everyone. Being of service to others helps
    you understand how much we have to be grateful for. Le Cruset
    is just a bonus :)

    • Julie

    Here’s hoping I win!

    • Kathryn Korabiak

    Thank you for your timely reminder about the true spirit of the holidays.

    I have always coveted the cherry red Le Creuset!

    • Suzie

    Wow Le Cruesets! Excellent :)

    I always donate to Child’s Play (http://www.childsplaycharity.org/) every year, which is this awesome charity to get children at hospitals around the US toys/videogames/etc for Christmas.

    Suzie

    • Melissa Mashburn

    An excellent and worthy list of charities, an excellent blog that allows me to supply my older sister with salted caramels almost worthy of her last trip to Paris, and here’s hoping I win! I REALLY need some new cookware.

    • Katie

    What an amazing giveaway–thanks for the opportunity! I’ll certainly be very jealous of the winner.

    • Amy Fritch

    I love love love your site, hope you have a great holiday. thanks!

    • april

    oh please oh please oh please…

    • Marcie

    Thanks for thinking of those in need this season!!

    • Karina Garcia

    Love the Cherry Red!

    • Emily Chin

    Doctors Without Borders/MSF is awesome! What a great pick.

    • CHR

    I love your site! It was one of the first food sites I found when learning how to cook. And thanks for the great list of charities!

    • Mary

    Thank you for this reminder of giving this season and the excellent list of charities.

    • Philip

    David, merci beaucoup from me and all of my fellow Florida Foodies. The Berkeley Darfor Stove is an amazing invention; good for the people, good for the planet. I’m writing the check and serving Mole au Poulet tonight. Cheers.

    • Jesse

    Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all. Already support the Kiva… thanks you Heidi and David!

    • Emily Morris

    i love Share Our Strength. Its a great organization. Thanks for the shout out.

    • TARA

    What an awesome giveaway!

    Love your blog and your books. Recently reread Sweet Life in Paris literally laughed out loud at some parts.

    • maryellen

    what a great idea. Great giveaway, too! Merry Christmas!

    • Diana

    Red’s my favorite color! It’s clearly meant to be. Joyeaux Noel to you too, David.

    • Ashley

    That would be the best Christmas gift ever! :)

    • Jesse

    Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all

    • Samantha G

    Beautiful post. I already donate to Doctors Without Borders and will continue to do so. I also recommend the UN’s Word Food Programme, a very worthy cause.

    • Kaitlyn Miller

    What a great giveaway! Merry Christmas!

    • Hannah

    Thanks for highlighting these charities, David! As a nonprofit employee, I can tell you just how important this time of year for organizations doing great work. As a nonprofit employee, I can also tell you how very far Le Creuset is out of my price range. Bonne chance a moi!

    • Alyssa Riley

    Thank you David for giving away Le Creuset to your readers! It’s absolutely wonderful!!!

    • Purnima

    Food and giving, all in one place? Couldn’t get better!

    • Jean Gastiger

    THANK YOU, THANK YOU, David for doing this! Although your suggested organizations all look worthy, Doctors Without Borders are my heroes, and you have inspired me to send them a year end donation. I have donated before, last time after the Haiti earthquake, but you can consider yourself responsible for this donation.

    • Patsy le Vann

    As a newly retired doctor I am seriously thinking of trying for a 6 month tour with MSF.

    • Sandra Santiago

    OMG! I thought I loved you enough for the awesome ice cream recipes!

    • Hannah

    A certain way to get in the holiday spirit!

    • Zuhayr

    David

    Thanks for the opportunity to win some awesome cookware. Hopefully the charities you’ve highlighted will get traffic from this.

    • shayna cooper

    i love red!!!

    • Dave

    Great Post. I’ve only really heard of Doctors without Borders and Kiva — I’ll make sure to check out the others.

    • sigalit rubinson

    What a lovely idea. Thank you for all you do!

    • Kelly Sterling

    Great product! I could do some damage with these. Merry Christmas

    • Shoshana

    Thanks for the reminder about giving to charities, and those are some good ones. I don’t have much money, but will try to donate something, probably to Doctors Without Borders. Also, thank you for the generous giveaway!!

    • Tory Cross

    Wow! Amazing how many entries there are. First of all, thank you for a fantastic giveaway. Secondly, Doctors without Borders is a great charity and opportunity for all. Instead of adding to the world’s materialist christmas values donate to a charity and get help to those that desperately need medical attention. peace. love.

    • Catherine

    What a wonderful idea! Love that you are supporting those great charities and the le creuset set!

    • Amy R

    Great post!

    • H. C. Molloy

    Doctors Without Borders is a favorite of mine. Thanks for doing this and for the great year of blogs. Have a Happy Holiday!

    • Elizabeth M.

    I am not a blog reader; but I find myself checking your blog every few days to see what new exciting things in the world of food you have to offer. I want to thank you for these great recipes & cookbook suggestions. Everything I have made so far has turned out par excellence.

    • Kelly

    Love your site and LOVE your chocolate chip cookies =) Happy Holidays!!

    • Jay Globerson

    Doctors without Borders is great and so is Operation Smile, a little different organization than Smile Train, but just as wonderful, taking care of kids all over the world, happy holidays to all!!

    • Angharad

    What a wonderful giveaway! That french oven surely has my name on it!

    • Ebonye

    Would love to win this!

    • Sarah

    Thank you for this! Merry Christmas!

    • Alisha

    Love Charity. Love Le Creuset. :)

    • Hadessa

    love, love, LOVE your blog! Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful (and sometimes not so wonderful) experiences with us. I’ll be a reader as long as you post. <3

    • Erica

    Making my Kiva donation this week!

    • Cathy/ShowFoodChef

    There were problems getting through, don’t know if my comment went through before – so just wanted to say THX for including Doctors without Borders – and I’d sure love the set! Happy Holidays to YOU!

    • Christopher Eaton

    I’ve asked for The Perfect Scoop and or Ready for Dessert under my Christmas tree this year, so here’s hoping Santa shops at Amazon! Thank you for your sharing your talent and time with each post and have a merry Christmas.

    • egidija

    Great gifts and great idea about donation…

    • Kim

    After years of pushing and prodding we finally convinced all of our family members to stop giving gifts to each other and instead, join us in making charitable contributions to local and world-wide organizations for the holidays. It’s been fun to watch them all get on board and share their favorites organizations with us, Kiva being one of them.

    Happy and Love-filled Holidays to All!!!

    • Leah Evangelista

    Happy Holidays!!!! Thank you so much for the opportunity to win this amazing set!

    I’m studying to be a nurse and actually plan to volunteer with Doctors Without Borders once I have a couple of years of nursing experience under my belt. Thank you for spreading the word about Doctors Without Borders!!

    • Barbara Fournier

    Hello David,

    Love your website and your tweets!

    • Emily

    Medecins Sans Frontieres is a great organisation – thanks for the inspiration David.
    Bonnes fêtes!

    • Bryan

    An awesome giveaway for an awesome blog…

    • Heidi

    Oh, I’d LOVE this set!

    • Jenna

    Oh. Cookware AND a reminder that December and Christmas are not all about excessive consumption??? How excellent.

    • mira

    great idea!

    • Claire

    Happy Holidays David!

    • Kirsten Keane

    I’d love to be able to give more to the ASPCA.

    • Amanda Meadows

    I love the idea behind Stoves for Darfur. An everyday, practical solution for women to avoid danger trying to feed their families! I give to Heifer Project every year- they help underdeveloped areas of the world build their own sustainable agrarian economies.

    Thank you David for helping support these great foundations!

    @Karina My favorite Le Crueset color is cherry, too! :-)

    • anned

    great blog idea and great choices of charities.

    • megan

    :)

    • Rachel

    Would love a set like that–how cheerful for my tiny kitchen!

    • Kim

    Been reading you forever! Also love Le Creuset!

    • Kate

    Love your blog and your recipes. And your charity suggestions are fantastic. Merci et Joyeux Noël!

    • ChristinaB

    Love reading about your adventures as an American in Paris. I’m hoping to visit the city again soon.

    • twyla

    I would love this. What beautiful cookware.

    • Anne L

    Thanks for spotlighting these worthwhile organizations and for giving away such a jaw-droppingly gorgeous Le Creuset set. Joyeux Noel!

    • Deirdre

    Merry Christmas and I want to win!

    • Jenny

    This website is one of two food blogs I read consistently… the other being Smitten Kitchen. Your recipes are delicious and your writing inspires my own and is a joy to read, David. I’ll be making your nut and pretzel mix for our Christmas Eve shebang and I’m thinking about doing your apricot quick bread, too. Have a lovely Christmas :)

    • Vicki

    Happy Holidays

    • rachel b.

    Please, Santa – bring me le creuset this year!

    • Rebecca Cain

    Thank you for sharing the joys and trials of Paris food life with all of us.
    And thanks for remiding us to remember those
    who are without the leisure to consider such luxuries
    as we regulrly enjoy. I love your choices of charities,
    also look up Heifer International too. Happy holidays
    to you and yours.

    • Jon

    Thanks for all the great info and recipes. Happy Holidays!

    • Karen O’C

    Please throw my name in the hat for this drawing! It sure is a fabulous one. Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!!

    • Tracey

    Thank you so much! I love your website. It brings Paris to me at home in Pennsylvania!

    • HM

    Most comments ever? This is lovely, merci.

    • Tina

    Thank you for your writing and Happy New Year

    • Kelly

    A great reminder for all of us at any time of the year.

    • Giang Hoang

    This is awesome :)!

    • Felicia Patton

    As a new student to the pastry world. New pots and pans would be fantastic!

    • Chelsey

    what a kindness…

    • John

    What a great message for the holidays

    • Justin

    Pick me pick me!

    • Cakewhiz

    I love your recipes!!!!

    • Monica Dytico

    I love that you listed all the charities with an explanation of each one! Happy Holidays!

    • Stacey Pruss

    Thank you for your lovely blog!

    • David

    Thank you!

    • Carol

    I look forward to your blog with delight. I was very excited to see your giveaway was a set of “Le Creuset”. I have always wanted to own their cooking ware. Thanks for the chance.

    • Amy

    Thank you for the charity ideas: I was really touched by the Stoves for Darfur charity. So impressive and heartwarming.

    • Sandra

    Hi David,
    Thanks for the links to the great charities and the generous offer. Hope your holidays are joyful.

    • bellagatta

    “Happy Holidays “to all and especially those who are away from home. I always open my doors and dinner table to friends who cannot make it back home for the Holidays.

    I cook a great meal so we all can share the holiday spirit. They always leave with a ” goodie bag ” of baked holiday goods. When I lived abroad I was welcome at every holiday table so I want to return the kindness.

    I know the feeling.
    May all have a joyous 2011.
    I enjoy this blog. Thanks David.” Happy Holidays” to you for speading the joy of food and adventure.

    • Bethany

    Wow! I would have to share these with my red-loving sister-in-law.

    • Dottie

    Would LOVE to win this beautiful set! Happy Holidays!

    • bellagatta

    spreading~~~~ darn I should of proof read! I am baking…good excuse?

A

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