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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

    • Cecile Freind

    Love Paris and love your blog. Wonderful idea to include the charities in give away. So many people forget the real idea of Christmas.

    • Jessica

    Reading your blog is part of my daily routine. Thank you for all the lovely pictures and good content. It really came in handy when my husband and I visited Paris for the first time this year. Merry Christmas!

    • IM

    David, I am new to the food blogging scene but I think this is a wonderful tradition of charity donations. I absolutely love your blog and I am very inspired by it. Have a very happy holidays!!!

    • Lily

    Thanks for the reminder to give. Happy holidays!

    • Katie Feit

    I love creuset! It comes in such beautiful colors. There are so many recipes that I want to try that require a pan that goes from stove top to oven. You have a great blog, I’ve made almost all of your chocolate cakes.

    • kara

    Thanks, David. And thanks for reminding everyone about those excellent charities, too. Happy new year.

    • Joy

    Great give-away. This is the time for giving and I am quite interested in the stove charity. Thank you sharing those.

    • Magda

    I’ve been visiting your site for a while….thanks for posting your experiences :) Merry Christmas :)

    • Virginia Montijo

    I love your articles and especially the photos you show of all the beautiful places and shops in France. What a beautiful place to visit and live. How fortunate you are.

    Also donate to Second Harvest Food Banks.

    • Katie

    I love your blog!

    • Jess

    Love your blog, it inspires me to try new things. Also i’ve donated to Doctors without Borders this year and am glad that others will do the same! This set is amazing too… red makes everything more festive! Thanks for all your hard work and dedication!

    • Mellissa Summers

    What a cheery gift! Thank you for sharing!

    • Alexis Sheid

    Love Kiva and The Smile Train! Great causes!
    Happy Holidays!

    • Anh

    Happy holidays!

    • Karen

    Thanks again for another wonderful year of recipes, pictures, and tips!

    • John Heard

    This is a wonderful time of year! Merry Christmas Everyone!!

    • Jackee

    Happy holidays, David. Donating to a favorite charity is as much of a holiday tradition in our house as making eggnog and baking cookies.

    • Keith Kendrick

    Happiest of Holidays to David and all followers.

    • Kristacular

    Merry Christmas in Paris David. Husband just presented me with 3 frames of our month long honeymoon there last summer. Best picture: macaroons! Dreamy :)
    Also. Thanks for the stoves for Darfur site. Amazing what young people are capable of!

    Thanks!

    Krista:)

    • Laura @ SweetSavoryPlanet

    Love these charities. Have friends in Doctors without Borders and can’t admire them more. I am always into helping someone get a stove!

    • AU

    great suggestion, with the true spirit of the holidays!

    • Lisa

    Love your spicy pretzel mix!

    • Nancy

    Thanks for a wonderful year of food David. It was my first reading your blog. I’m looking forward to more great inspiration and stories.

    • claireax

    Happy Holidays and thanks for all the good reading and inspiration!

    • Tim O

    Hey David, you’re one of the best things out there! Please keep up the inspiring work. I’m practically in tears as it’s Dec. 21 and I still haven’t made your Stollen; looks like it’s gonna be for New Years! Joyeux Noel et Bonne Nouvelle Annee!

    • Emily B

    David,
    Feliz Navidad! (I know it’s Spanish not French…) Love reading your blog and seeing Paris from an ‘insider’s’ point of view.

    Emily

    • Lillian hsu

    I am a big fan of The Perfect Scoop! And Le Creuset, purchasing my first one when I was in high school and learning from Julia Child’s book. Thanks for your advocacy for human rights also – it’s not getting any better, and it’s great to see you combining your missions.

    • ecurb

    What a wonderful idea and I love your blog and recipes! Merry Christmas!

    • Sean Dominoski

    So generous. Thank you for also promoting such worthwhile endeavors and charities.

    • Tori

    I have been pining for this exact set, and its even my favorite color! I love the blog and the oatmeal cookie recipe is now a permanent part of my repertoire.

    • norah

    Happy Holidays!! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes!

    • Rebecca

    What an amazing give away :) Joyeux Noel and thank you for all that you share.

    • cristina

    I’m new to your blog and I absolutely ADORE it!!! Happy Holidays, from a not-so-master-yet baker who’s favorite place in the world is PARIS, and whose favorite things are everything French :) :) xoxoxoxo

    • Ruth Parson

    Dear David, I read your posts with eagerly anticipated glee and was especially excited to see another, extra post today, when all my other bloggers are writing fewer these days. But truly you have outdone yourself with this give-away. You are simply, my favorite!

    • Dawn Shelstad

    Thanks for the opportunity :)

    • Elyse

    Joyeaux Noel David!

    • Marivic

    Thanks for being generous with your time (for the blog) and for the initiative to get funds for those charities. Merry Christmas to you!

    • Amber

    ooh, wouldn’t that be a lovely Christmas present? and bright red to boot. thanks for the chance!

    • Amy

    Love your post. It’s so important to remember how fortunate we are. A wonderful holiday tradition to start.

    • Deborah

    We listen to your helpful comments often and I love the red cookware!!! :)

    • Sarah R.

    It’s important to remember the true reason for the season. Thank you for reminding us all and thank you for your beautiful give-away. I’ll be crossing my fingers. Merry, Merry Christmas!

    • Nic

    Thanks for all the inspiration

    • Meredith

    Happy holidays!

    • Lauren

    In another life we’d be BFFs. Thanks for giving us a peek into your fabulous life, and for giving me a laugh when I really need it. Happy Holidays!

    • Angela DePaepe

    joyeux noel to all

    • Maryfe Sharpe

    Merry Christmas! Thank you for all your posts and for reminding us to share our blessings with others.

    • Carol Whitman

    What a wonderful idea, and one of the organizations you’ve chosen to highlight is close to my heart. Thanks for doing this.

    • Joanne

    Happy holidays, and thanks for the wonderful recipes!

    • Kendra

    Merry Christmas!

    • Bernie

    I made the French Apple Cake last week for a dinner party…….a great way to end the meal…….everybody loved it. Thanks for your blog, your books and your photographs. Happy Holidays to you.

    • Deb

    Your blog and Le Creuset–two of my favorite things! Thanks, David.

    • Becca

    That looks like a fantastic set. I love Le Creuset. Thanks for hosting this ^_^ And blogging in general.

    • Megan

    Merry Christmas!

    • Janice

    Love your recipes and cookbooks! And yes it is important to remember the true purpose of this season. Red is my favorite color. :-)

    • Patricia Worley

    Dear David:
    I have enjoyed your blog, recipes and photos for some time now – don’t know what I did before I discovered you and your website!!

    Thank you for reminding us to give to those who are in need of our help now at Christmas time and at any time of the year………

    I cook with a lovely yellow Le Creuset dutch oven that was handed down to me by my grandmother who was a wonderful cook – She always said Le Creuset is the best to use and she was right. Have A Lovely Holiday David

    • Durk

    I love the giving spirit this time of year, but remember that hundreds of organizations in your area need help year-round. A regular contribution of time and skill can be just as valuable as a donation.

    • Rebekah

    I’ve been thinking that I need to add some cookware to my collection – that grill pan and French oven would be especially great. May I also suggest considering a donation to your local animal shelter – many are struggling due to budget cuts, and those cuts relate directly to the number of animals that end up finding a loving home.

    P.S. I made your salted butter caramels this weekend – fantastic!

    • Christina

    Thank you for your generosity to these great charities. I have been a long time fan of your blog.

    • Lance

    Bacon Ice Cream and a Le Creuset Give-Away? Ummm…yes please.

    • Yu-Ann

    Thank you for this wonderful blog, happy holidays!!

    • Amit

    Thank you very much, and happy holidays!

    • laura paulk

    Passing along the cinnamon sugar popover recipe and your site to a friend…love the charity donation / give away idea!

    • Sarah

    How amazing! Merry Christmas to everyone!

    • Raven

    Happy holidays, David!

    • john bix

    A daily treat each morning is pretending I’m in Paris…

    • Tiffany

    Love your blog – you always make me laugh! Have a lovely holiday season.

    • Nicolette

    Doctor’s Without Borders is one of my favorite organizations too. Thanks for the reminder of gratitude, and encouragement for involvement! Cheers!

    • Debbykay at Rose Cottage Gardens and Farm

    You are so right! We need to remember the spirit of Christmas by giving to those less fortunate than many of us. Thank you for your gift of remembering to help improve the lives of others! If each of us did that, what a difference we could make in the lives of children and families around the world!

    • TravelinJewel

    A reminder that if we all become conscientious consumers that we can share fairness and unity with our brothers and sisters all around the world! Start by choosing fair trade coffee and chocolate and go from there!!

    • Carole

    How very generous of Le Creuset and you!

    One of my favorite charities this time of year is Toys For Tots.

    • Peg Champion

    David,
    You are an inspiration for us all!
    Thanks for making us merry – and reminding us to be grateful for our many blessings, even in a downsized world!

    • lauren

    simply creuset
    simply david
    give simply

    • Elena A.

    Have a wonderful holiday season! Thanks so much for a great year of blogs!

    • Barron

    Great charities you’ve highlighted. Happy Holidays everyone!

    • David G.

    Great choices of charities to promote. Great idea for the holidays!

    • Jan

    Thank you for your daily blog as well as spotlighting these wonderful organizations. The Smile Train brings miracles to children every day.

    • Marilyn Munsterman

    I am keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks.

    • Nora

    As a knitter, I’ve supported Tricoteuses san frontières, who work with MSF. All worthwhile charities.

    • Linda Mojica

    Thanks!

    • Kathy

    Thanks so much, David and Joyeux et cozy Noel!

    • Bonnie Moonchild

    Thanks for including Doctors Without Borders, they are my favorite charity. Merry Christmas.

    • Jessica Morris

    Thank you for so much wonderful inspiration – for food and giving this season both!

    • Jeff

    I have had to throw away all old cookware because
    they are haunted. I hope this classic French cookware
    is not haunted!

    • Catherine MacLean

    Thank you for your wonderful food blogging and delicious pictures. Please consider giving a donation or your valuable time to your local food bank. They never have enough.

    • Mo

    Love your blog and your books. Happy Holiday’s
    Mo

    • Alice (Someone Who Bakes)

    What a great list of charities! I’m definitely inspired to do some giving, however meager it may be.
    Merry Christmas!

    • Christopher

    SOS is a wonderful organization in NYC, and elsewhere?
    Thanks again for the wonderful French Lentil Salad recipe. My favorite.

    • Jessica Pavone

    I’m trying to decide what to bake for Xmas. I know I’ll find a recipe here!

    (Fingers crossed re: Le Creuset!)

    • Sophia

    What a thoughtful reminder.

    Thanks, David.

    • Randy

    Thanks for reminding me how lucky we all are and that I should donate donate and donate more! I appreciate it.
    And I love reading your blog!
    Happy Holidays!

    • Rita

    Thank you for supporting charities during this season of many indulgences. I am glad to note that you have provided an insight into caring for our fellow human beings who fare in terrible circumstances and sorroundings. DWB as well as Mercy Corps are my favorite charities that I routinely contribute to.
    Peace and Blessings!

    • Viviane

    Merci pour un blog aussi appetissant!

    • christina

    The charities you suggested are wonderful. Thanks for so many enlightening blog posts this year. More to come in 2011!!!

    • Kimberly Bojko

    Merry Christmas!!!

    • Kim Uyyek

    I love sharing your blog with my students. It helps me teach them about French culture. Bonne annee!

    • Katie K

    Wonderful charities…Merry Christmas!

    • Ellen M. Fitzpatrick

    Well this would certainly end a rather dismal year on a wonderful note, and since my kitchen is red they’d feel right at home. Merci!

    • Amanda C.

    Delicious recipes and cooking mentoring and now you’re giving away the yummiest of cooking lines as a gift! I bow down to your greatness Mr. Lebovitz! Happy Holidays to you and yours; hope it’s nothing short of cooking, baking, eating, friends and family perfection!

    • Brittney

    I’m moving out on my own soon and REALLLY need some great cookware. Pick me!

    • Jessica

    Thank you for your generosity!!! … and all of your wonderful Christmas recipies!

    • Jenn

    Thank you for the thoughtful post about giving back during the holiday season. If you aren’t able to donate to cause financially, consider volunteering your time. Food banks are always in need of volunteers, especially during the holidays.

    • Amy L

    I give to a favorite charity called Ryan’s Well, which was started by young Ryan,when he found there was such a need for clean water in so many places all over the world. His story is truly inspirational.
    http://www.ryanswell.ca/

    • Alice Levy

    My day never feels complete until I read your blog. I just eat it up. Please continue making my day.

    Thank you, and Merry Christmas to you and your significant others.

    • JanetMoh

    So nice of you to do this!! Some great charities too!

    • Jill Silverman Hough

    Thank you for inspiring me to finally get it together and make a holiday donation. I’m trying to not feel too bad that it took the lure of free Le Crueset to do it! But seriously, thank you, David.

    • Sally

    With unemployment being so high, please remember that even small donations and gifts can make a huge difference to someone. Often for want of $50 a car is unrepairable or a utility cut off. Please consider supporting those in your own neighborhood as well as abroad. And why not take some goodies made from David’s recipes to your local firefighters, librarians, and other public workers whose budgets have been cut.

    • Barbara

    Happy Holidays! Thanks for all your inspiration.

    • Francis L

    Sweetness! David, this is an awesome blog. A chance Le Creuset cookwear? Bomb.com!! ;-D

    • Bperf

    Thank you for a most wonderful blog! Merry Christmas!

    • Tom Warnock

    Happy Holidays
    Merry Christmas to all

    • B. McCorkle

    Wonderful idea! Happy Holidays!

    • Rebecca Weinberg

    Merci David! This is such a great blog and a great gift. Joyeuses fêtes de fin d’année!

    • Melanie

    I love your blog and would like to attend your Central Market cooking class when you’re in San Antonio next year. However, I think I’d make a complete fool of myself and better stay home.
    Merry Christmas!

    • carla celeb

    Ten years ago, I started a job with an organization that dealts helped children living with physical disabilities. My first introduction was awkward, difficult not to feel sorry for them, hard to watch without feeling pain. Ten years later, their smiles brings a smile to my face and everyone who meets them. They are smart, caring and beautiful – more intelligent and intuitive than most. If I’ve learnt anything these years is that I was the one with the problem and they are just kids like any other. It was the best thing I’ve ever learnt. Merry Christmas everyone.

    • Tess

    I am new to your blog but since I have found it I check it everyday! Glad i checked it this week. This is definitely the time of year we need to be thinking of others, I appreciate your encouragement. Let the giving spirit live on!

    • Twito

    Happy Winter Solstice to all and to all a good feast. Going to make your celery root soup this week…an all time favorite. Thanks.

    • Sharon Bond

    I started reading your blog from the link on Farmgirl Susan’s page, just prior to my first trip to Paris this past summer. Then I kept reading it after we returned, loving to find references in it to places that we also visited. We got to introduce my son Ben (he’s 10) to the wonderful French cuisine. Then we returned and sent him to Boy Scout camp for a week – my husband was there too and said it was the most awful food. So he got the high and low all in a 2 week period!

    • Anna V.

    I have been wanting some Le Creuset dishware set for quite some time now. And the red is my favorite color!

    Thanks for the reminder to consider people around the globe this holiday season. Agros International (http://agros.org/) is another great organization that is helping the rural poor in Central America. If you’ve ever wondered how to wrap a cow for Christmas, check out their gift catalogue. http://oneseed.agros.org/

    • carla celeb

    Ten years ago, I started a job with an organization that helped children living with physical disabilities. My first introduction was awkward, difficult not to feel sorry for them, hard to watch without feeling pain. Ten years later, their smiles brings a smile to my face and everyone who meets them. They are smart, caring and beautiful – more intelligent and intuitive than most. If I’ve learnt anything these years is that I was the one with the problem and they are just kids like any other. It was the best thing I’ve ever learnt. Merry Christmas everyone.

    • Bobbie

    Fabulous gift for some lucky cook!

    • Devon

    Merry Christmas
    and
    Happy New Year!

    • Elaine

    Merry Chritmas and a Happy New Year David! Thanks for a wonderful blog.

    • Cliff

    Hi, David. I’ve been a fan of your site for years now and always consult it before each trip to France. Now the bad news: All of the charities you list are excellent…except one: According to charitywatch.org., an organization that rates philanthropic organizations, The Smile Train is just shy of being a scam. Most of the donations end up funding staff salaries and the outrageous yearly salary of its director ($420,000). Joyeux Noel, David!

    • Lynne

    Happy Holidays! Thanks for one of the most interesting blogs I read.

    • Bobbie

    Thank you for your inspiring words and the great organizations you’ve highlighted. Even after countless months of unemployment, I still realize how fortunate and blessed I am compared to millions of others all over the world. This year, all I could do was bless others with my cooking. May we always choose to bless others, no matter what time of year, with both funding and with random acts of kindness.

    • mel in austin

    love your blog, recipes and books.

    • AlaskaJoey

    I donated money to Matthew Leone’s recovery fund – but these are all worthy charities, too.

    • David Leen

    These are great charities! Thanks for spreading the word and have a wonderful holiday season, David.

    • Anne Adams

    Merry Christmas, David. I’m looking forward to seeing you at Central Market in Fort Worth, TX on January 14th.

    • Stacey

    Here’s to a new year full of wonderful meals with friends and family, hopefully using a set of Le Creuset in cherry red!

    • megan

    what a wonderful reminder during this holiday season! merry christmas!

    • jennifer

    what a thoughtful twist on holiday giving!

    • Jessica G

    I would like to again highlight the need for giving in your local communities. As someone who works for a small local non-profit, I know that every little bit helps!

    Merry Christmas!

    • Elizabeth

    You’re a wonderful writer, David, and it’s so clear you’re a good soul as well. This Christmas, I am making your fresh ginger – gingerbread for dessert. Thank you for enriching our lives in so many ways. Joyeux noel!

    • Linda Wilson

    Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (anonymous)

    • Christine Walker

    Thank you for the reminder– we must never forget how much our contributions mean, particularly through these excellent groups– and thank you for the opportunity. Merry Christmas!

    • Misa

    Giving to charity is a great thing to do during the holidays but I wish people would be more giving year round too. I know I try, not just during the Christmas season!

    This is a great giveaway, good luck to all the entrants!

    • Nancy

    I bought my first set in college, 25 years ago, and am now ready to upgrade!

    • Chris Taylor

    Thank you for the great contest opportunity and for an excellent reminder.

    • Conitchewa

    What a wonderful giveaway! Merry Christmas David and a Happy New Year.

    • Sampada

    Hi David,
    A very good thought for the season.. I donated to ‘Salvation Army’ as I do every year..

    I love your blog, recipes and especially the travel as well as market descriptions…You write very lucidly and with style

    Merry Christmas and happy holidays..

    • Michele S

    Happy Holidays!

    • Monika

    Thank you for the reminder, David, and also for the giveaway.

    • Erin

    This is wonderful! I love your blog. Merry Christmas!!!

    • Courtenay

    My mom could really use this set, I recently had a baby and she has been giving all her time to take care of me and my family I would love to be able to tell her on Christmas morning that its coming to her in the mail.

    • Linda

    David, thanks for the great writing on so many of my favorite things: Paris, food shopping, baking, etc. I am so looking forward to your visit to Dallas and your class!

    • Jenna

    Doctors Without Borders is one of my favorite charities! Happy Holidays to everyone!

    • Melissa Graham

    What an amazing contest! You’re right, so many charities, and people need help. I donate to my local food bank regularly.

    I love your blog, and I recently made the chocolate cherry fruitcake, it was fabulous!

    • Melissa

    Happy Holidays and thank you.

    • Rachel

    Not all donations are monetary. Consider donating to your local blood bank. They need help too.

    Thanks David!

A

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