Skip to content
0 Shares

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!)


0 Shares

6,697 comments

    • Amy

    A lovely reminder. Happy Holidays!

    • Fran

    Americans say that Americans are the most generous people in the world. I agree that we are at least generous. Generosity is a human trait that only needs to be encouraged….anywhere in the world. Thanks, and a check will be in the mail in the morning to “Doctors.” Merry Christmas!

    PS. My 40 year old Descoware is still in service every day…the old Le Creuset!

    • Bethundra

    Ooh, how lovely! Happy holidays and thanks for the list!

    • Tia Nakanelua

    Mele Kalikimaka from Hawaii !!

    My son’s work on the soon to be released TV show Off The Map based on Doctors Without Borders and I have learned a great deal about the doctors great volunteer work from them. I have sent in a donation and will keep my fingers crossed as I adore the two Le Creuset pieces that I have.

    Have a wonderful Christmas and keep up the wonderful blog.

    • Jay

    Wonderful post!

    Regards,
    Jay

    • Trisha MacKenzie

    I am a long time follower — and a former resident of Paris. I look forward to your every post. Another charity I love is kiva.org — watch Jessica Jackley explain this wonderful microfinance organization on ted.com.

    Happy Holidays to all your followers from around the world.

    Trisha

    • Kevin George

    Joyous Holidays to you David.
    Fingers crossed for me :)
    Kevin

    • Ellen Gelula

    Dear David,

    I thoroughly enjoy reading your posts every day, and I understand how time consuming it is to get them out. However, I often find typos (my pet peeve) in the articles. And in today’s, there was one which I felt I had to point out: “feel” hungry kids instead of “feed”.

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

    I would be very happy, if your deadlines permit, to proof your articles for the blog, at no charge, of course.

    • Jess

    Thanks for the reminder that this season is for giving…and for making it so easy!

    • Dimitri

    Thanks for the chance! :-)

    • Mary

    Sign me up please! Merry Christmas …

    • Will

    I’d glad that the folks at Le Creuset are helping you to play Santa this year (cherry red, no less!) and I’m even happier about the charities you linked to. It’s always nice to see someone with such a large readership giving back and also inspiring others to give. Merry Christmas!

    P.S. I made the hot chocolate from your recipe in The Sweet Life in Paris” using a half dark and half milk blend of couverture chocolate from Cocoa Barry. A chef friend of mine raved about it for a week, saying it was the best hot chocolate he’d ever had.

    • margaret chan

    I am glad after having been too busy this year to read your posts properly I get to enjoy this recent one, and be reminded how fortunate I am.
    Thank you.Let’s share our fortune.

    • Ali

    Happy holidays David!
    We truly are blessed in so many ways.

    • John Allen Wright

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

    • janice

    Such wonderful sentiment!
    How about that–spiritual as well as culinary inspiration. What more can one ask from any blog?!

    Thanks David!

    • Kerri

    First comment, longtime reader. Boy, could I use that stuff.

    • cpr

    I would like to win that prize! :)

    • markvzdj

    very nice present in a time of giving!

    • Anna Johnston

    Sometimes your blog makes me smile, sometimes it makes me laugh and sometimes it makes me think. Thanks for all three.

    I have been meaning to give to Doctors Without Borders for a long time, you inspired me to actually do it, thanks again!

    Merry Christmas,
    Anna

    • S

    Great giveaway! Thanks!

    • Kiki

    Thanks, David!

    • Rachelino

    I just gave money to MSF! Happy Holidays to David and everyone.

    • Jasmine

    Thanks for the charity suggestions. Happy holidays to you David.

    • melanie

    Merry Christmas, a great blog and wonderfully generous give-away!

    • Yvonne

    Thank you for reminding me about Stoves for Darfur. It’s amazing how something so basic can completely change a Sudanese woman’s life.

    • David

    Happy Holidays David! If anyone outside the US wants to use a great buying service to ship overseas and thus enter the contest, check out borderlinx.com

    • Audra

    Merry Christmas! My family’s been doing “advent conspiracy” in which we draw names for a very inexpensive gift and give the rest of the present budget away. not to mention how often I dream of a dutch oven (and that griddle…)

    • Jan Jacklin

    Love your insights & recipes…
    I give regularly to “The Father’s Heart”…they feed the homeless in Oregon, just outside of Portland….We just fed 250 a Christmas dinner on Saturday the 18th…
    Blessings for the following year!
    Jan

    • Richard M

    Thank you for sharing these charities with us, and lovely of you to make a donation. This season always seems so intensely focused on consumerism, it’s nice to be reminded of real generosity. Happy holidays to you.

    • Amanda

    Thanks for putting it all in perspective – and for a very entertaining blog! Happy holidays.

    • ELena

    That set would certainly make my holiday season!

    • Colin Walker

    Wonderful blog & a great way to raise money, cheers.

    • Nancy Parton

    Remembering those less fortunate in your blog is a lovely way to honor the true spirit of Christmas. Thank you for this post.
    I enjoy your blog immensely and received “Ready for Dessert” for Christmas this year. Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!

    • Mari Robinson

    I love all these charities! Thank you for doing this. I for one needed the reminder. Cheers!

    • Rhona

    You’re a lovely person to do this and I enjoy your blog immensely. Happy and healthy new year to you.

    • connie tacazon

    Would love this as I am slowly adding red accents to our kitchen.

    • Lia Levy

    Hey David,

    I think Doctors Without Borders are doing an unbelievable work, I support them
    too. Thank you for mentioning them and the other organizations.

    Happy Holidays :)

    • Paula

    Thank you for sharing the message of how important it is to give to those who are in need this holiday season. To me, that is what Christmas is all about. Love the list of your favorite charities. Wishing you a happy holiday!

    • Lynn K.

    One of my favorite things to do is share your wonderful recipes with others. I absolutely love your blog. Merci et Joyeux Noel

    • Meghan

    I love your blog and your generosity is humbling. Thanks for reminding us what the holidays are all about. Take care.

    • Judy

    You must have read my mind. I donated money to Heifer, Doctors without Borders and Oxfam. Thanks for your support of these wonderful organizations. Happy Holidays!

    • MJ

    Well done, David. Stoves for Darfur is such a great action group, you shared some winners! Thanks for using your blog to pay it forward.

    • Timothy Eustis

    Thank you david. Have a good holiday.

    • Angela

    Santa Claus really does exist! For one reader…

    • Rebecca

    A friend forwarded your blog to me when you were visiting Ireland. I’ve been hooked ever since. Thank you for your passion for food as well as for your generosity.

    • Dashaun

    Thanks for sharing your favorite charities. I think most people (including myself) tend to forget that Christmas should be about giving, not just getting. This entry was a nice little reminder of that.

    Merry Christmas, Happy Hannuka, and Happy New Years!

    • John

    Great blog and great causes – happy holidays to all!

    • Dan

    A heartfelt reminder to all that it is not in the receiving but in the giving that we are truly enriched. Best wishes to all during this holiday season.

    • Cynthia Manning

    Love your blog. Hope I win. Doctors Without Borders are awesome. So are Le Creuset pots.

    • Georgia

    Merry Christmas David! Wonderful Blog!! MSF or Doctors Without Borders is a fanstastic organization that needs our help as well as the other wonderful organizations mentioned here. May I also suggest donating to any local cancer society???

    • karenirenie

    Great charities – Half the Sky is another one I love. Raises $$ for orphaned girls in China…

    • Winnie

    Well done. Doctors Without Borders is a wonderful charity, as are the rest. Have a wonderful holiday.

    • Carol

    Just discovered your blog. Like it very much, thanks for the chance to win and Happy Holidays.

    • JJ

    I heart le creuset

    • Suzanne Chin

    Happy holidays to you. Thank you for mentioning these great organizations.

    • Gretchen

    My kitchen supplies were stolen this year, and I could really use something as fancy as Le Creuset up to brighten up what I have now!

    • Alan Finkelstein

    Great post. Thanks for sharing thosecharities.

    • Marion

    Thank you! I love the charities. I also love Le Crueset. And red is my color!

    • Christine

    Bless you for reminding us what the spirit of Christmas is about. Have a very happy Christmas, David.

    • jackie specht

    This would be the best present Santa would leave under my tree.

    • Hannah

    I too have been thinking a lot about what charities I will donate to as I shop for Xmas gifts and see how much we have yet don’t need and so many who don’t have but need. Thanks for sharing.. Love your blog!

    • Aruna R

    Thank you for this chance to win le creuset cookware. Really appreciate it very much ! Happy Holidays to you :)

    • Nancy

    Merci and Joyeux Noel.

    I admire and respect everything you stand for.

    • Jennifer- Adventuresome Kitchen

    Great Charities, all of them. I’ve personally been involved with Kiva for a year now. It’s great to see how a few dollars can keep giving over and over. Thanks for reminding us of one of life’s lessons-that sharing with others- be it food recipes or a little aid, is something worthwhile. Joyeux Noel

    • Zsuzsanna Moduna

    Happy holydays to you and all your readers, and thanks for your always interesting and funny blog.

    • gail

    Love Le Creuset – something about the weight makes everything cook better!! Thanks for your blog – would love to know what is the French substitute for corn syrup? One of the last things I still have to buy at the Real McCoy or Grand Epicerie!!

    • Natalie

    I love Kiva! My family got giftcards to make microloans this year.

    Buon natale!

    • Arlene Arnold

    Happy Holidays & What a generous offer for all of us

    • A. Harvie

    Stoves for Darfur is a new charity for me, and I am glad to hear about them as I’ve been aware of the cooking fuel problem for awhile now. Regardless of the contest outcome, I am glad to have had a chance to support a solution I believe in!

    • nese savran

    Thanks for sharing such kind of charities. Love your blog

    • Talia

    Kiva is one of my favorite organizations as well. It allows people to take control of their lives, which is an amazing gift. Happy Holidays.

    • Chi Chi

    My pumpkins are old enough to grasp the idea of sacrificial giving and that is our focus this year. Thank you for sharing more opportunities to contribute.

    • Sandy

    health and joy as always lovely

    • adriel h-f

    happy holidays, these creuset pots in red look amazing!

    • Pamela Goldman

    I love Smile Train. Been supporting them for years. But most of my charitable dollars go to small, local animal rescue groups who save dogs from high kill pounds around the country. So many good causes to assist.. Merry and Happy to everyone.

    • Millie

    Thanks for sharing! Happy holiday to you and your readers!

    • Michael Honegger

    Great charities. I also appreciate the work of Fair Chance in Washington, DC (www.fairchancedc.org) and the National New Play Network (www.nnpn.org).

    • Lydia

    Happy Holidays! I wish you spend them with the ones you love!

    • Beth Brooks

    What a lovely Christmas surprise that would be! It would make an awesome addition to the Kiva gift card my mom is getting for Christmas!

    • P Meier

    Thank you David for your reminder and generosity. Medecins Sans Frontieres is a clarion to the world on the critical medical needs of others, regardless of borders. The volunteer doctors, nurses and staff, often at great personal risk, are many times first on the scene. Every dollar is needed, every dollar put to great humanitarian use. Joyeux Noel David! From a snowy Minneapolis, MN

    • ashley

    Love the holiday spirit and Le Creuset!

    • Lysa Schloesser

    Good charities, all! I’ve donated to all of them in the past. I chose Stoves for Darfur today. Thank you for reminding us what this season is. Joyeux Noel! Lysa

    • nancy

    Thank you so much for your blogs, & for thinking of others during the holidays. Hope yours is special.

    • julieako

    My fave Non Profit is Donorschoose.org but I might check these out too!

    • Charity

    Thank you for your touching post – it’s easy to forget how many people can’t or don’t have the means to celebrate Christmas. Your blog has been a god-send for planning a Parisian holiday so thank you very much!

    • Tory

    this is a dream give away!

    • miranda

    Great charities! My friend interned with Kiva last year. And I think Stoves for Darfur is a great concept!

    • Gopika

    Thank you for the reminder of what’s really important during the holidays.

    Happy holidays and thank you for your fun, informative blog, David.

    • Sarah V.

    Kiva is such a fantastic, empowering movement for small businesses! If anything, the holiday season is the perfect time to reflect, and to light the doorway to opportunity with Hope. May your New Year be just the right balance between savory and sweet :)

    • Jen

    excellent charities… tis the season!

    • devon

    great charities! and the best cookware available… can’t resist!

    • Sarah

    Thanks for encouraging charity.

    • Amanda Bankert

    Have an amazing holiday season!

    • Audrey Horn

    Great mention on the charity organizations, I knew some and found some, thanks for announcing these charities so everyone is aware of them. I don’t own any Le Creuset but heard many good things about these cookware. Happy Holidays!

    • Sini

    I absolutely adore LeCreuset!

    I think it is good for all of us, at least once a year, to sit down and realize how fortunate we are. My visits to many poor regions of the world, which I was able to make this year, really opened my eyes. It’s important for the people to know that they are not alone.

    • Sara G.

    Great giveaway and great reminder to remember those less fortunate!

    • Jojo

    I have only two pieces of Le Creuset and would love more. Happy Holidays to you.

    • doris

    Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for your time in writing your blog.

    • Mike

    Been meaning to comment on the site for a while now, seems like a good time. I’m a big fan of the site and your books.

    • Peter

    Merry christmas everyone, looks like a lovely set.

    • Alexandra

    I will try :)

    • Chrise de Tournay

    Has been such a pleasure to find your site and find the emails in my inbox – thank you for spreading the joys of France and beyond – sometimes hard to see when slushing through the recent sleet. What a nice gesture, the contest. Enjoy the holidays!

    • Donna

    Doctors Without Borders does amazing work!
    Also: check out Heifer International. And all the Food Pantry folks.

    • michael

    Thanks for a great year of post, I hope you announce a new book this year.

    • Gino

    Thanks for all you good work David and a very Merry Christmas to one and all.

    • Lollie

    Wonderful charities, a wonderful blog, and wonderful give-away.
    I send you an abundance of good wishes for the new year!

    • Natalie Gullish

    I have followed your blog since September and I really appreciate the work you do! Happy Holidays!

    • Mary

    Those are some of my favorite charities ever, thank you. – Mary

    • Lisa

    Those are all wonderful organizations. Thanks again for another year of wonderful posts!

    • Caroline D.

    Thank you for sharing these charities during the holiday season.

    • Ruthika

    Merry Christmas and happy new year!

    • Mikko

    Happy holiday!

    • Elton

    Merci beaucoup

    • Kristen

    I live in the UK, fortunately my mother lives in the States. Happy Christmas!

    • Jules

    Wow–We firmly support Community’s Child–a local home for homeless women and their children…one of the best parts? They are taught to care for their new babies–how to cook and eat healthy and delicious food! What could be better than raising healthy moms and children!
    Merry Christmas!

    • Stefanie Trompetter

    Really hope I win, this set looks unbelievable!

    • Jamie Havlin

    Great giveaway! I’m living in Spain, but thankfully my mom lives in the States. I hope you have a nice holiday.

    • Monica Lam

    Great suggestions for donation ideas. Thanks for making our holiday season more meaningful

    • JLPage

    Merci! David, for sharing your generous spirit. Each of the listed charities does fine work- can’t miss with this list! Joyeaux Noel~Bonne Annee!

    • Scott

    I should like to win!

    • Christina Liadis

    Thank you for the list of websites to donate to. Sometimes I am overwhelmed with all the organizations.

    By the way, this would be the best Christmas present!

    • eva

    Merry Christmas to Paris! Thank you for a year with your great blog!!
    I support a local community, working there with foreign kids, helping them on their way in school. I think, if only once a year everyone gives something to others, without beeing selfish, this world can be a better place.
    PS: I ordered “The Sweet Life in Paris” for christmas as a present I give to myself :)

    • Camila

    Merry Christamas, David, thanks for this post.

    • mrs_tesla

    I love Kiva. I am unemployed and just loaned more money.

    I am thankful and feeling blessed.

    • Kathleen

    Best wishes for all the coming holidays and thanks for your posts throughout the rest of the year, which have led to many a tasty treat. I just incorporated some of your candied bacon into buttery pecan cookie dough. My husband says that cookie reminded him of his childhood fantasy of the most sinful possible way to break the Yom Kippur fast. Bacon! As well a the whole meat and dairy business. And, of course, delicious.

    • Kevin BigHappy Smith

    All good charities. Merry Christmas all.

    • Aliza

    It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Great charities, thanks for the suggestions, but another thing people can donate is their time. Many of you (and i’m in this boat!) are still feeling the financial pinch, and my way of giving back this year has been extra volunteering. I know I’m not helping buy a goat in Africa or provide clean water, but hopefully giving my time in the way I’ve chosen will help change the world some day.

    Btw, I LOVE your blog! Your caramel sauce has change my life and waist line….

    • Olivia

    I’ve read your blog and books over the past year and loved them. Many of your recipes have become mine, my family’s and my friends favourites. Thanks and wishing you a Happy Christmas!

    • Neil

    Feliz Navidad! As an Englishman, I have an innate bias against all things French ;), but have very much enjoyed reading your blog, and getting to know Paris through your eyes.

    Thank you for reminding us to give to others, not just those in our circle.

    • Lisa Carney

    It is a good reminder. I love your blog. Your french tart dough has been a lifesaver!!
    Joyeux Noel and full tummies for all!!

    Best,
    Lisa

    • Felicia

    Best wishes for the holidays and new year. Thank you for this opportunity!

    • christine

    i absolutely LOVE le creuset! I would use this entire set so well!

    • Leon Milo

    Thank you for you wonderful blogs and especially, this one.
    It is the best holiday message that one can give.
    I will save this list of charities and share them this holiday season.
    Best regards.

    • Bernie

    Happy Holidays! I love your blog!

    • MD Smith

    Thank you, David. You set such a good example for us, in so many ways.

    • Jennifer Peacock

    Merry Christmas and Domo Arigato Gozaimasu for this fantastic offer!
    from an American expat in Tokyo (with an American shipping address:)

    • Judy

    The spirit of Christmas is in giving — so nice to keep that in mind.

    Also, I really love your books, but am fairly new to your web site. I’m so glad that I discovered it because it is one of my favorite sites now. Waiting for new baking books takes so long — but the website is a way to read your thoughts and recipes way more often. :)

    Best wishes and happy holidays!

    • Grace Teshima

    Cherry red is absolutely appropriate – the color of love, of charity, and (with green) the holiday season! Thanks, David!

    • Sharon

    Merry Christmas to you, generous sir! Thank you for my chance to own this beautiful set of Le Creuset.

    • Jessica

    Bonne nuit!

    • Victoria Marx

    I’m sitting here in my comfortable chair, still full from dinner with the fireplace going….boy life is good for me…..but not for others. Thank you for the reminder of how challenging life is for so many people.

    Give generously haves…..the have nots need us.

    • Clara

    Merry Christmas! It’s been a wonderful year following your blog and I look forward to many more wonderful entries in 2011!

    • Elise

    I’m so glad you brought Stoves for Darfur to my attention. I had never heard of it before and really like their mission. Happy Holidays!

    • Helen

    Thanks for the elegant, witty writing and beastly-good food, and here’s hoping there’s a lot more to come…

    • Kristen

    Doctors Without Borders is my charity of choice…thanks for encouraging us to think of others during the holiday season! Merry Christmas!

    • Laine Butterworth

    I love Le Creuset. I still have a couple of pieces that are nearly 40 years old,

    • Monica

    Nice set =) and I agree with Kristen above, everyone needs a bit more love around this time of the year!

    • Sarah

    Thank you for your touching post and donation recommendations. As someone who has grown up during a war, I often wondered if the rest of the world noticed what we were going through while they enjoyed peace and many of the luxuries that come with it. I am now in “the rest of the world,” enjoying your website, baked exuberances, and touched that there are people, more than ever before (it seems to me), who care enough to take some time out of their lives and think of the less fortunate. Milles Merci, et Bonnes Fetes!

    • tarquin

    Your list is a very good one, plus my basic charity Save the Children. Your blog has brightened my mornings all year, I hope it gives you joy as well. Bonne Annee!

A

Get David's newsletter sent right to your Inbox!

15987

Sign up for my newsletter and get my FREE guidebook to the best bakeries and pastry shops in Paris...