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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

    • Leigh Louis

    What a wonderful gift! Love it and your blog….enjoyed reading your posts in 2010 and looking forward to even more in 2011.

    • Sarah J.

    Thank you for the giveaway and reminder and thank you for including Smile Train in your list of charities. My husband and I are in the process of adopting a cleft-affected child and we know that there are many children around the world that benefit from the work of Smile Train.

    • Paul

    These would be fantastic–red is the color of my kitchen, and I love the one medium Creuset I already have. And thank you for the remider about giving, particularly at this time of year.

    • Contessa

    I have been dreaming of owning a piece of Le Creuset. Unfortunately, I can never afford one. This would be an amazing Christmas present if I became the lucky winner;-)

    • Erin

    Thanks for reminding us to consider others during this season. Joyeux Noel!

    • Herb Hurley

    Happy Holidays

    • Barbara Vance

    Dear David,

    Thank you for this awesome opportunity and your attention to such fabulous charities. Hope this season brings you and your family an equal measure of the joy you have brought all of your readers throughout the year.

    Wishing you Health, Happiness, Peace and Prosperity for 2011.

    • Sarah Campbell

    I am new to this site over teh past few months and it has been so much fun and directed me to some other wonderful sites. Thanks for a great blog (they are hard to come by!) and for directing people to some great causes.

    • B.J.

    Thanks for all your great work on your blog David, I’ve learned so much!

    • Joan Pickard

    Thank you for calling attention to these charities.

    • rozelyn

    It’s always nice to look around and share something. Kindness doesn’t have to be grand… a simple thought or a $1 can mean so much to others.

    • Cori Paige

    The food banks are struggling here in Atlanta….as I am sure they are everywhere. I hope everyone looks into donating food or money to their local food bank as well.

    Happy Holidays, David. Thank you for another year of delicious recipes, ideas and anecdotes!

    • Catherine Walsh

    Happy Holidays, David, and thank you for a chance at winning some highly coveted Le Creuset. So excited about your visit to Houston bientot. And now, en cuisine … guests arriving soon!

    • Reva

    What a wonderful gesture on your part (and Le Creuset’s). Thanks for inspiring me to remember Doctors without Borders at this time of year; I am a sometime-donor to them and I think the time has come to make another online donation!

    Happy holidays to you, David (I feel like I know you from your blog) and thanks for bringing so much joy and fun images and many tasty treats into our lives….

    -Reva

    • Andrew Shebanow

    Great cause! Happy holidays!

    • Teri

    Good timing for both a holiday giveaway and a reminder about giving gifts where it really makes a difference.

    P.S. When I visited France this summer, I relied on so many of the Paris tips from the site and your book that you’re now on first name basis in our household, à la “David thinks we should do this…”. Thanks :)

    • Liz P.

    I guess being eligible to win a set of le Creuset cookware almost makes up for not living in Paris. :-)

    Wonderful idea! Doctors without Borders is a great organization and the others sound terrific as well.

    • Gabe Gonzalez

    Awesome, David. May the elves be kind to you this holiday season.

    • Claudia Trevino

    How fun! I’ve always wanted LeCreuset pieces.

    • Angela Shupe

    Kiva is such a great organization. Thanks for the reminder, David. Really enjoy reading your blog & all the great recipes, too. Just made The Best Chocolate Sauce Ever. Really, really good! Thanks and Merry Christmas!

    • Amelia

    Wonderful list of charities, love the give-away.

    • Jessica

    Happy holidays!!

    • Marsha Hritz

    Great charities, all. It’s the best part of this season of giving. Thanks and Happy Holidays!

    • Kara

    Thank You!

    • Liz

    Thanks for setting this up!

    • Theresa Zeitz-Lindamood

    Happy holidays. Thank you for your good–nay, wise–advice about charities.

    • Kelly-Jane

    Don’t enter me for the competition, as I’m not in the US. Fabulous give-away though.

    You are right though, I sent my holiday donations last week, it’s an important time to give.

    Happy Christmas-time to you and yours David.

    • Christina

    I love reading your blog! always inspiring and delicious things to make!
    Happy Holidays!

    • Ben Atkinson

    Happy holidays. Loved the ice cream book!

    • ~B

    Good job, David. It’s good to be reminded of those less fortunate.

    • Holly Cashman

    Thank you for the reminder to remember others at this time of year (and all year ’round). Doctors Without Borders and Share Our Strength are both great organizations, and I’m eager to learn more about the other three.
    Joyeuses fêtes et bonne année!

    • Shannon

    I love Kiva- this was a great reminder to do another donation.

    • Jeannette

    I give to doctors w/o borders as often as I can. I admire the concept and I think it deserves a helping hand. You are doing a great thing by reminding us all to spread the Christmas lovin to those who need it most.

    Joyeux Noel!

    • Joanne deMarrais

    Not only is Le Creuset my favorite cookware, but I was so pleased to see 3 of my favorite charities on your lisr, Dr without Borders, Smile Train ,Stoves for Darfur.

    Merry Christmas , to The Leib..that’s what all my friends on Our Paris Forum call you!

    • scott rohr

    Thanks for brightening my Facebook wall. Merry Christmas.

    • Stephanie R.

    Oooh, pick me!!!!

    • Michael

    Hope you have a Merry Christmas!

    • andrea a.

    thanks for the reminder to make my end-of-year donations and for the list of worthy organizations!

    • Alex dS

    {Incoherent babbling brought on by giddiness at the thought a set nicer than I will probably ever own}

    • Laura Warman

    I would love this cookware!!!!

    • Lucia

    Happy holidays! This is a beautiful set that would just fit perfectly into my kitchen! :)

    • Lori Biesecker

    What a fun giveaway — Le Creuset is such a quality product.

    • Jen

    I love Le Creuset and would love to win this fab prize. Have a happy holiday!

    • Tarus Balog

    What a nice way to increase the number of comments! (grin)

    Great idea on the charities, tho.

    • Richard J Hartman

    Thank you, David, for a wonderful year of blog entries, recipes and great ideas!

    • Jack

    fingers crossed for a Merry Christmas!

    • Heather Hanson

    What a great idea! I love Le Creuset and I love Doctors Without Borders. Bravo!

    • Sean

    What a gorgeous set! Couldn’t ask for a better xmas surprise.

    • Kerri

    Oh, what a gorgeous set. Love that color. And thank you for the list of charities – I am off to read about each of them.

    • Marsha Finney Gibbons

    Thank you for hosting this over the top give away!! I have donated to doctors without borders in the past and I know it is a wonderful organization. Have a happy holiday!

    Marsha

    • Amy

    Hmmmm…this could be a late Christmas present for my (very happy) wife…

    • Toni Rae

    Just joined the 101Cookbooks Kiva group and made my first loan to a restaurant in Peru. Thanks for pointing me toward it; there are so many options for charitable donations, but this one spoke strongly to me. Cheers!

    • Patti

    Doctors without borders is a great organization. Every christmas i send donations to them, the local SPCA and my NPR station.

    This is a wonderful giveaway, too!

    • Shilo

    Drs without Borders is great. Happy holidays!!!

    • lewaletzko

    What a great set of charities…there were a few news one to me that i will be looking into as we complete our end of the year giving.

    • Shannon A.

    I didn’t know it was possible to love your blog more than I do.

    • Sarah

    Brilliant. Happy holidays to all!

    • Shannon

    What a wonderful giveaway and excellent charitable suggestions!

    • Jessamyn

    Doctors Without Borders is an organization full of amazing, brave souls! Please help them keep doing the good work!

    • Angie

    I hope you have a wonderful holiday! Thanks so much for listing those charities; I give to Doctors Without Borders and Share Our Strength every year!

    • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday

    Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, do I ever want to win this one!!

    I’ve always wanted Le Creuset and was even thinking about buying my husband a dutch oven for his birthday next month!

    • Kathryn

    David – way to promote the true spirit of Christmas! How awesome would it be if in our lifetime everyone in the world had food, shelter and access to medical care!

    • Sophia

    looks wonderful.

    • Laurel

    Wow – that would be a fabulous Christmas present to myself!

    • Harry

    This would improve the cooking I can do in my college dorm’s kitchen exponentially.

    • Alice

    Sure, I’ll throw my hat into the ring! What a great idea. I like to help “in my own back yard” with a monthly donation to our local Food Bank & always send a little extra at holiday time. xo and Happy Holidays everyone!

    • Danielle

    There is no better gift than giving… makes the Christmas season feel like so much more when we give… love that you’re highlighting some really great charities :) Wishing you and yours a beautiful holiday season full of love. <3

    • Mindy

    I love Le Creuset! The United Way is also another worthy cause that really does help local communities. Most of the non-profits in my small town operate thanks to the United Way.

    • Hannah B.

    Good giveaway. Good causes. Thank you!

    • Julia Isaacs

    oh pick me, pick me! This would be a lovely Christmas present!

    • Jessica

    It is my very favorite color! Pretty.

    Giving = yes. I’ve got my favorite causes and they are all set with my fundage by now.

    • Amy

    What a fantastic giveaway! I always get a little nostalgic over those brightly colored pots, my parents used an orange set when I was a kid.

    • Jeffrey Woodhull

    Great idea.

    • Kaleena

    I just love Le Creuset! Coud probably whip up some awesome vittles in those things!

    • Lauren

    Have a Merry Christmas!

    • Anna

    Can’t resist trying for the le Creuset….

    we are supporting Lambda Legal this holiday season in preparation for the anticipated upcoming battle over marriage equality in Minnesota.

    • Suzanne

    This is great – not only a wonderful giveaway (yes, please!), but a good reminder to help those that are less fortunate.

    I tend to donate to animal causes and have helped out my favorite no-kill shelters a few times throughout the year.

    • Dulcey

    Thank you for the opportunity, and for the reminder to donate to charity. Donations of volunteer time are also greatly appreciated.

    • Eric

    Bonne Année, David. And thanks for the chance to win these. I’ve got some pieces in this very color, and would be great to expand my set!

    • Rachel

    Thanks for bringing attention to such great causes! Happy Holidays!

    • Catherine

    Google Chrome’s tabs for charity app is also a great way to give for those who have already spent…

    • Jill

    What a great idea! So many great charities, as well!

    Thank you, again, for a wonderful blog. I hope you have a great New Year!

    • Lisa

    ‘Tis the season to think of others and give if you can – thank you for reminding some of us (myself included) to do so. You are the best!!

    • Krista Vossler

    Thanks for the reminder and the giveaway… Consider giving to your local Blue Santa or some other such charity for local kids.

    • barb

    Super terrific! Happy Holidays , and Happy Newyear, may 2011 be your best yet!

    • Erin

    WOW. what a generous giveaway. Fingers crossed. Happy Holidays!

    • Angie Hwang

    all i want for Christmas is…Le Creuset!!!

    • Ashley

    What a great post with a great cause – thank you for the opportunity to enter and for highlighting some wonderful causes. I adore your blog and look forward to reading – it’s an indulgence!

    • Jessica

    I have a friend whose office takes donations from the employees around the holiday season and their corporate office then matches the amount and they donate it to the Red Cross. So much nicer than a mediocre office party!

    Thanks for a great giveaway.

    • Danielle

    What a fabulous giveaway! And thanks for the charity info! I’d heard of most of them, but Stoves for Darfur is new to me and definitely sounds amazing.

    Thanks for all your wonderful writing week after week and Happy Holidays to you!

    • Meredith

    Merry Christmas!

    • nenya

    Thanks for the reminder about these great organizations and for the giveaway. Happy Holidays and New Year!

    • Charlene

    Ooh, I’d love to win! Great post even without the chance to win.

    • Jessica

    Me, please! *offers santa cookies*

    • Zeva

    The cherry red Creuset set would look divine next to a copy of Ready for Dessert, which I’m totally in love with. Thanks for sharing your talent and great ideas with us all, David.

    • Myn

    Yes please!

    I do the Champagne Tour put on by Share our Strength here in Boston every year :) Great event.

    • Lindsey

    Happy Holidays!

    • Stephanie M.

    David, you’re a mensch. Happy new year!

    • Jessica

    This cookware is what I’ve always wanted in my kitchen.
    You chose such wonderful charities! I’d love to do what I can, but I’m a lowly student :/

    • Mickey

    Thank you so much for this giveaway! I love your blog and have total Paris-envy! =D

    • Denise

    Beautiful! Happy Holidays!

    • kristen

    i love le creuset!

    • Jennifer

    I second clean water charities and offer up mosquito net charities. Also, that French oven, yes. Want. Need. Oven. Happy Holidays!

    • mochajuden

    “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am not for others, what am I? And if not now, when?” R.H.

    • janelle

    Thank you for talking about these charities, and for the awesome give-away. Will check them out. Have a wonderful holiday season

    • Dennis

    Great idea. I always knew there was an even better reason to read your musings. Thank you for the suggestions. Happy Holidays!

    • Kathy

    Beautiful cookware and charities!

    • Bren

    David – what a WONDERFUL thing you are doing! This year, instead of traditional gifts, we sent donations to various causes that matched up with family member’s interests. Heifer International for the world travelers, Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders!) for our nurse, Toys for Tots for all the kids (with one small thing for them under their trees, of course!), local Hospice in the name of someone recently deceased, Alzheimer’s Association in the name of my Gram and H2O Africa for our safari going relatives and then because we LOVE food and everyone should have plenty all the time, we delivered to a couple of local food pantries. “Shopping” this year was SO much more FUN!

    Merci mon ami pour tous les idees, les photos, les histoires fabuleuses, tous les recettes! Chaque jour je regarde pour voir si vous avez quelque chose nouvelle !

    Joyeux Noël et nouvelle année heureuse !

    • Adele

    Wishing all, in the real and virtual worlds, a joyous holiday season and peace in the new year. Thanks for highlighting these worthy causes.

    • adrienne shubin

    What a fantastic give away and thank you for the donation list.

    • krista {urbanite jewelry}

    I would absolutely love to give these to my mother as a late Christmas present! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!

    • Betsy

    I just signed the pledge for my annual charity donations. Thanks for the reminder not to take for granted how fortunate we all are.

    Happy holidays!

    • John

    Great blog and great recipes.

    • Stephanie

    What a wonderful giveaway along with a reminder to help those in need around the world.

    • Jen

    Thanks so much for the chance and charity ideas! Every year my husband and I donate a gift for an underprivileged child but didn’t have the opportunity this year. I think we may go with one of the charities you listed. Happy holidays!

    • stephanie lafortune

    Thank you for the opportunity to win the cookware. Many years ago I was given a large piece for a wedding present. I enjoyed using it and it traveled to many places with me. S

    • Zeva

    This cherry red Creuset set would look divine next to a copy of Ready for Dessert, which I’m totally in love with. Thanks for sharing your talent and great ideas with us all, David.

    • Hillary

    You never know, right?

    In Minnesota, food shelf use is up over 20% from last year and donations are down. I hope everyone will do what they can.

    • Sophia

    I’m drooling! That set looks so beautiful! Thanks for the Kiva shout-out David–it’s one of my favorite charitable organizations to support.

    • Elyse

    I like the stove charity–never would have found it without your info David (nor would I have found A l’Etoile d’Or…so thanks for both!

    • amanda

    what a great list of organizations… always enjoy learning about new (to me) charities. Wow, a set of Le Creuset cookware. How wonderful!

    • Jessica Smith

    This is a great giveaway. Thanks!

    • megan

    I love Le Creuset! What a wonderful gift to whoever wins!

    • Saron

    Those are some great charities! Love your blog!

    • Heidi Bacon

    I concur, giving at the holiday is not only a gift to others, but also a gift to yourself. You know you have helped someone else, and in turn have helped yourself become a more humble and humane person. It puts things into perspective in this “me, me, me” world

    • Lillian Del Pilar

    Doctors Without Borders is wonderful. Ditto an earlier comment about working to bring water sanitation to more of the world. Thanks for all you do, and bringing these other groups to attention!! Love your blog!

    • Dee

    What a wonderful giveaway! Happy holidays to you, your family and all your readers! Thanks for the donation reminder–always important.

    • Harriette Halepis

    Even if I don’t win, I love that you care about your readers. You are one of the few who actually responds to reader comments and questions, and this is greatly appreciated. Thanks for being so accessible and helpful!

    Happy Holidays!

    • Barbara Neiberg

    Happy holidays, David! I enjoy your blog and especially your Paris posts since we have spent many happy times there. I also love Le Creuset and my favorite charity, Love Without Boundaries (lovewithoutboundaries.com), which helps orphans in China. Happy 2011!

    • Wendi @ Bon Appetit Hon

    Winning this give away would be a Christmas miracle.

    • michael

    I love your blog and I love Le Creuset! Great charities. Happy Holidays. Michael

    • Delphyne

    What a wonderful thing to offer – thank you! I’m already a Kiva sponsor and also have sponsored 3 folks for their creative venues on Kickstarter, not to mention animal organizations.

    Happy holidays!

    • Sarah

    Thanks for using your blog for the greater good!

    • Maxwell

    Happy holidays!

    • Charlotte P.

    Thanks for reminding us to share what we can, David. A couple of the ones you mentioned were new to me, and I appreciate hearing about them.

    • Carrie

    I meant to send my year-end donations this weekend and didn’t get to it. Thanks for the reminder!

    • Brittany Elise

    What a fantastic giveaway! I’m getting married in 3 months and the set would be a lovely addition to my new kitchen. Thank you for promoting such wonderful charities!

    • Adi

    It seems the chances are minimal at this point, but I’m hopeful :).

    Also, that’s a great mix of charities you compiled.

    • latenac

    What a great giveaway. Thanks for the reminder to donate to some of my family’s favorite charities.

    • Paula C.

    Charitable giving is a great way to participate in the Christmas spirit. Love Le Creuset!

    • Renata

    Great initiative! Doctors without borders is really amazing, their work makes the difference!

    BTW, I love Le Creuset!

    • Maria

    I’m jealous of whomever wins these. Unless it’s me of course.

    David thanks for promoting some great organizations!

    • Lauren

    Le Creuset was my go to gift for the in-laws this year!

    • Allison

    This would be an amazing Christmas surprise! Thank you for your dedication to a wonderful blog and for reminding your readers about the spirit of giving this holiday season.

    • Laura

    Merry Christmas to all!

    • Yaeli

    It would be so amazing to win a Le Creuset six piece set of classic French cookware in cherry red since it match my Kitchenaid! Happy Hanukkah!

    • Jess Ryder

    Great idea!

    • John B

    Great giveaway, and thanks for suggesting a donation.

    • Elise

    This is a beautiful set of cookware – thanks for the chance to win. But even more thank you for reminding all of us how fortunate we are.

    • Tim

    Merry Christmas, great giveaway for a great cause!

A

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