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

    • nicole

    David- what a great donation list and giveaway!

    Thanks so much for all you do during the year and for offering this giveaway!

    Joyeux Noël !

    • kara

    Ooh what a happy holiday that set would make!

    • Janine

    Always enjoy your blog. Happy Holidays!

    • Kelly Meyer

    Wonderful blog post, David! Happy Christmas!

    • Jean Wuenschel

    I love the interesting blog posts and the great recipes. I look forward to trying more of the recipes in 2011. Thank you.

    • Crystal wharton

    Very cool of you. Happy holidays!

    • Terah

    You are king of the foodies.

    • Tanya

    How exciting! Thanks for the opportunity.
    Happy Holidays.

    • Kristina

    Ooooh! Exciting!!!! Merry Christmas to you!

    • Kristen

    I would love the le creuset set…i’ve been dreaming of one my whole life!

    • Yao

    An excellent list of charities. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    • Cheryl W

    Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity to enter. I love Le Creuset!

    • Erin H

    I mentioned to my husband this morning how blessed we are to have a warm home and enough food. Thanks for linking to the charities above, it’s so important to give if you can.

    • Jonathan

    I love Kiva… I’ll check out the 101 cookbooks group. Thanks for the visibility, and the prizes! ;-)

    • Punita

    Dreaming of all the wonderful things I want to make in these beauties.

    • Jennifer

    Thanks, David, for making my year so much sweeter – between the recipes and your interesting take on Paris, your blog is one of my daily highlights. This year, we are giving to the YMCA to help families and kids live healthier lives.

    • Diona

    Thanks for this thoughtful, timely post. I think it is fitting to donate to those in need during this season of giving! Happy Holidays to all!

    • Azreala

    Love the Red!

    • Morgan

    Happy Holidays!

    • Mariya

    Thank you for the wonderful opportunity. Marry Christmas and Happy New Year

    • Colin

    This is a great thing you’re doing.

    • Iris

    Have a happy holiday, David. I enjoy reading your blog and trying the recipes.

    • Juli

    what a perfect birthday present that would make:)

    • shea

    Love Kiva – one of the best charitable aid concepts in a very long time. The best way to effect real, longterm change!

    • Marla Gilman

    Love your blog! Thanks for offering the giveaway. Have a wonderful holiday!

    • Ally

    Thanks for the entertaining blog David, and all the yummy recipes!! Happy Holidays

    • Michele

    Heifer International is a favorite charity of mine…so many worthy causes!

    • Karley schedler

    I always love your blog posts, but thought this one was especially great! Happy holidays!

    • Uyen-Vi Tran

    You’ve become part of my morning reading ritual. Happy Holidays!

    • PastryCraft

    In our family among my siblings, we moved to all charity giving. All together that’s a decent amount of money going to our favorite charities at the holidays. Now our parents are the ones who receive multiple gifts. That’s the way it should be after many, many years of receiving so much from them.

    • Mae Ogorzaly

    eat.drink.be merry.
    Happy Holidays

    • Kim Pollei

    Merry Christmas! Thanks for all the food fun.

    • Elyse

    This is an absolutely beautiful site, and I love that you included some great charities.
    Fingers crossed!

    • Erin Anderson

    love your blog thanks for sharing cheers to a wonder year of giving.

    • Baird N

    Happy Holidays and merry Christmas! I asked Santa for your latest book and I’m looking forward to a sweet New Year!

    • RJ Holland

    Happy Holidays, David! I absolutely adore your blog…you always find some way to make me smile.

    Thank you so much for the wonderful giveaway. These types of things are always so fun!

    • Anna

    Ooh la la. I long for Le Creuset.
    Doctors Without Borders does wonderful work. Great idea.

    • Ryan

    Red is my favorite color

    • Christina

    It’s nice to have a heart for giving, and Christmas is a great time to reinforce it. Our family has been supporting a milk cow in Africa for a orphanage since last year. It’s nice to know you are needed and that your donations actually change lives.

    • Lauren Lyon

    As a nonprofit staffer in California who is tasked with communications as one (of many) of her responsibilities, I LOVE this idea! This is a great way to promote giving this time of year and I truly appreciate that you’re leveraging your celebrity for the greater good. Thank you.

    • greg harned

    Nice post David. Thanks!

    • mira

    first time to read your blog.loving it. love the idea of donating to these wonderful charities. am teaching my daughter the value of sharing. am thinking of doctors without borders. cheers!

    • Daisy T

    What a great giveaway and an even greater idea on supporting those charities. Happy holidays!

    • ash

    happy christmas (:

    • Michele R

    Happy Holidays!

    • Allison L

    You are a great person =)
    Have the best holiday!

    • Beth Fontenot

    Thanks for the great ideas, David. We have French friends who do charitable work in Niger and Gabon, and it does help remind us how lucky we are in the Western world.

    Bonne Année, David!

    • Emily C.

    Happy Holidays!

    • Debbie Kim

    i’ve been wanting a dutch oven for so long. thanks for this giveaway! happy holidays!

    • Hannah

    Thank you for your wonderful blog! Have a delightful holiday season.

    • David Wulff

    Some very good charities listed! Now to pick!

    • Arran C.

    Happy holidays. J’espere que Paris va bien.

    • sinead

    thats an awesome giveaway. liked how you paired it with the thoughts about giving to charities ;) reminder of what the holidays are really about. merry christmas!

    • Julia Gulia

    Joyeux Noel! Love your blog!

    • Kfir Ben-Ari

    Happy holidays to all of us. May our lives will be as tasty and rich as pot au feu made for perfection in a le creuset pot…
    I love your blog David. keep it up!

    • Maya

    Happy Holidays!

    • Kitty

    Merry Christmas! Thanks for introducing me to the list of charities with worthy causes!

    • Kieran H

    Thanks! and have a wonderful holiday season!

    • Terry P

    Merci, David, for your lively weekly inspirational food photos, delicious recipes and always very humorous tidbits. Your zest for the spice of life in Paris and environs expressed so candidly in your blog speaks consistently to the passion for food and travel. Thank you for ALL that you share (cooking and lifestyle tips, people connections, restaurants, shops, must haves, do’s and don’ts) and for also reminding your readers in turn to give back to those much less fortunate this holiday. I am giving to Partners in Health this year as they work diligently to assist with medical care for the Haitians still reeling in the aftermath of last year’s earthquake and the more recent cholera epidemic. Happy Holidays!!

    • Stephanie S.

    Great post David! Thanks for the delicious recipes throughout the year.

    • Giovani

    Thanks, David, for sharing your recipes with us year-round. Hope you have a wonderful holiday.

    • Marc Loeb

    Merci, David! I love your blog! Bonnes fêtes!!

    • Cathy Woodcock

    Great site. Thanks for the list of charities to remind us all of the tremedous need as well as the true spirit of the season.

    • rachel

    lovelovelove! thanks for this. and good message about giving. happy holidays!

    • erin

    so many comments! love the post – I’ve been trying to think about creative ways I can give back during the holiday season – I think volunteering time is another great thing to do. :)

    • Megan

    Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2011! Thanks for all the great posts throughout the year.

    • Denise

    I enjoy not only the recipes but the blog posts as well. Merry Christmas everyone and Blessings in the New Year!

    • Elizabeth

    Nice reminder that tzedakah and mitzvot are not just a once-a-year activity and that tikkun olam is all of our obligations.

    The meringue for the Marjolaine is cooling and the Quince Marmalade Tart was lovely with dinner tonight (the end of last season’s the homemade quince jam). Thank you for the year-round recipes and inspiration. Looking forward to all of your offerings in 2011.

    • Efrosini Constant

    What a great way to bring to light many of these charities.

    • Belinda

    What a great cookware set and the color is perfect for the holiday. Thanks for the chance to win!

    • Stephanie

    Your descriptions, photos, and sense of humor keep me coming back. And I love how often you post! You are one of the food bloggers who has actually inspired me to try a recipe, and the ONLY one who has remained in my Favorites. Thank you!

    • Britni Esq.

    i LOVE your blog! It always inspires me to “live my best life”. Between you and Oprah, David, i can always make it through the day! Keep doing what you do and know that you’re posts are appreciated! (also, i REALLY need that cookware! Note to Special algorithm, PICK ME!)

    • kevin

    wow, there sure are a lot of comments on this one. i’ll definitely check out the list of charities you’ve given above – they all sound mighty worthy from the brief descriptions.

    • Dawn

    Best wishes for a wonderful holiday! Love reading your witty take on food and life abroad.

    • melissa sue

    One year ago, The Sweet Life was an inspiration and helped keep my brain calm as I packed all my crap and moved to Europe. Thanks. xoxo meli

    • maria

    you have listed some of my favorite charities. I hope people act and donate! always appreciate your blog. thanks for another great year!

    • Loralee

    FABULOUS giveaway!

    • Christopher Pearson

    Love your blog. Happy holidays and thanks for acknowledging these charities and their great work.

    • Samantha

    Happy Holidays! =)

    • Cheryl

    I became inspired to start baking after reading your blog, thank you!

    • Ling

    Meilleurs Voeux! Thanks for all the inspiration!

    • Jacqui Wou

    Was happily introduced to your blog through my daughter! Love it…THANK YOU!

    • junglegirl

    Would love to win this, thanks!

    • Clau

    Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2011!. Thank you for this wonderful blog.

    • Erina

    As a fellow ex-pat in France, I so appreciate the commentaries on French life along with all the great recipes. Joyeuses fêtes!

    • Aislyn Matias

    Thank you for your wonderful blog and gracious reminder of what the holiday season is all about. Joyeuses fetes!

    • Jackie

    Love your posts. My husband found you after we got our ice cream machine and now I read you for everything else!

    • Diana

    Happy Holidays! It is good to remember those less fortunate…

    • lisa menning

    Great blog David – and thanks too for the grounding reminder of those less fortunate at this time of year and the useful list of charities. Joyeuses fetes!

    • Jenny

    Yes please, Le Creuset are my favourite.

    As are Doctors without Borders.

    • Derrick Yu

    Happy Holidays! and good luck…

    • Kate

    Your blog is quite inspiring– I so appreciate your wonderful recipes as well as your anecdotes on life as an American in Paris. Doctors without Borders is a great organization!

    • Nuri

    I’ve tired of so many food blogs but yours is an evergreen.

    I love Heidi Swanson’s cooking philosophy and her fabulous simple recipes, and her alliance with Kiva is inspiring and fascinating! I will surely read more into this.

    • Jennifer

    Another great donation to make is at Heifer International — buy or donate towards animal gifts that help families around the world develop sustainable food sources! Gifts can include goats (fresh goat milk, cheese and butter anyone??), honey bees, ducks, geese, gardening supplies… some of those delicious delicacies that stock our own fridges can be enjoyed by those in need.

    http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.195980/?msource=kw7285

    • Erilyn

    Thanks so much for doing this!! I’ve been following for quite awhile now and your Macaron recipe is by far my favorite!

    • Lisa Donovan

    Happiest of Holidays!

    • David G.

    Merry Christmas to all. I tend to stay local with my charitable activities, so your suggestions are a reminder to me to look more expansively.

    • Melody Howay

    You’re so very kind. I have actually taken it upon myself to make a donation to Doctors without Borders as well. Thank you for opening up my eyes just a little more!

    • Tsoleene Partamian

    Happy Holidays!

    • mamabigdog

    We donate very regularly to a number of social and political causes here in the States. I think it’s lovely that you’re bringing these very worthy charities to everyone’s attention! We have a French exchange student with us for the year, and I have secretly bought a raclette grill in order for us to have a raclette feast on Christmas Eve, all thanks to your post on raclette and finding out from our student that she misses it very much. Now I just have to find the cheese (whole foods says they have both the Swiss and French varieties) and some decent bread (she hasn’t been satisfied with any bread here in the US so far, even with the fancy artisan bakeries we have here in Portland, OR). Wish us luck!

    • Melissa W.

    Merry Christmas! Love the blog, the writing is humorous and the photos beautiful.

    • indigo millar

    crossing my fingers!

    • Sarah

    Happy Holidays! Here’s to a wonderful 2011!!!!!

    • vassili spiropoulos

    thank you david!

    • leslie millar

    I have le creuset from the 1970’s!

    • Bobbi

    I love this idea and I love the charities, everybody wins. Joyeux Noël from us in Burgundy…

    • Catherine

    Merry Christmas and thanks for your regular blogging!

    • Jen

    I usually save up reading your posts until Sat. Morning when I can have a hot cup of coffee and the gloriousness of time. Today however, I am at the start of the holiday. Thank you for the constant inspiration!

    • Faye Rojas

    Happy holidyas David!!

    • Greg Jones

    I’ve enjoyed your e-mails for a while now. What brought me to you was the gorgeous photography….then the food talk and kept me. It’s great to see a little slice of “life away”.
    Wonderful charities. I might also encourage folks to give to any of the water or well charities.
    Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

    • Sara

    I love your blog. I look every morning to see if you have a new post that I can lose myself in for a few minutes before I go off to work. Thank you for it.

    • José Paramos

    Thanks for the give away and merry Xmas!

    • Terry

    Happy Holidays David – Thank you for bringing not only fantastic food to my attention, but also to keep Paris in my mind as well It is a second home to me.

    • Laura

    Great idea to raise awareness about these organizations.

    • Cali

    Love it David!

    • Olena

    I think this a great idea! More people should do so to help fix the inefficiencies in the distribution of income around the world. Thank you, David!

    • Jessica

    Happy holidays and thanks for the giveaway and suggestions!

    • Kelly

    Happy Holidays! Thanks for the great blog.

    • Vanessa Tejeda

    Merry Christmas! Thanks for sharing!

    • E

    Doctors Without Borders is a truly amazing organization.

    • Laura

    Totally agree about the importance of giving. Thanks for your fabulous blog.

    • Elsa

    Thanks for the thoughtful post – your blog is one of my favorites. Happy holidays to you!

    • whitney

    Just left a donation in lieu of each stocking in my family. My children have plenty to open on christmas day, while children in Darfur have lost their families entirely. It didn’t amount to a huge number but if my children were aware (they’re 2 and 3) of the problems, I’m sure this is what they would want! Thank you for the idea.

    • Sandy

    Merry Christmas– Thank-you for all your wonderful recipes and stories!

    • Ruth

    Doctors Without Borders is always worth donating to…

    Happy Holidays!

    • Andrea M

    Merry Christmas! What a fantastic post and a generous giveaway!

    • rebekah jones

    Love this blog! Merry Christmas!

    • Tracy Boyle

    Merry Christmas!

    • MaryH

    Love your blog – Happy Holidays!

    • Sophie Ruggles

    I´m so glad I decided to make your candied ginger recipe for Christmas day or I would never have seen your wonderful giveaway. If I win I will be donating the prize to a budding cook I know in the States.
    Merry Christmas – ¡Feliz Naviada!

    • Patti

    Merry Christmas!

    • Kristen D. Klein

    Fantastic charities. It is all about giving. Thank you for a wonderful blog!! Happy Holidays & Healthy New Year!!

    • Julie

    Merry Christmas! Love your blog!

    • leo

    Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Thanks for creating this wonderful blog – it really brightens my day.

    • Florence K

    I’d like to enter, thank you. Have a wonderful holiday!

    • amom

    Thank You… for your awesome blog and books, for the chance to win this great cookware set, and for the reminder to give to others. Happy Holidays!

    • Natalia

    Happy Holidays!

    • Angela S.

    If only I wasn’t a starving college student – I’m looking forward to the time when I’ll be financially stable enough to give to the charities I really believe in. For now, though, the giveaway sounds fantastic :)

    • jyoung

    happy holidays!

    • Susan

    What a generous offer! Thanks for this, and for your blog and your books.

    I take it there’s no Menu for Hope this year?

    • Cori

    Happy Holidays!

    • Jessica Pollak

    Thanks for your blog and introducing me to Dorie Greenspan!

    • Jenn V

    Thanks, David, for reminding us of how so many worthy charities can use our help every day of the year. Wishing you a very happy 2011!

    • Maggie

    Merry Christmas, David! Thanks for all the wonderful food info you provide all year, and for posting a list of such worthy charities.

    • Elena

    Happy Holidays! Love your blog David. I hope to join one of your food tours one day!

    • Escargot Lover

    What a fabulous idea to share the wealth with those men, women, and children in desperate need.
    Happy Holidays David!

    • Diahn Ott

    Merry Christmas!

    • Alta

    Yay, le creuset! And great causes. Merry Christmas!

    • Stephanie Galinson

    Good charities and a good reminder to give generously, esp. to those in need.

    • Angela Chaisson

    Happy Holidays!

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...