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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

    • Ellen

    MSF is my favorite charity. What heroes they are!

    • Caitlin

    Merry Christmas! Great post.

    • Emily

    What a beautiful set of cookware. My whole family loves Le Creuset and it would be fun to divvy up the set among eveyone. Happy Holidays!

    • Rachel

    Thanks for the reminder of what is truly important this holiday season!

    • Laura

    Oh my goodness! I’ve been dreaming of simply having ONE Le Creuset dutch oven, let alone a whole set of their wonderful cookware. The winner will be one lucky guy or gal. *crossing fingers*

    • Amy

    Thanks for the chance to win a gift and also for highlighting some great charities!

    • Adam Miller

    Le Creuset. *drool*

    • Melanie

    Oooooohh. Pick me! I can’t even afford to buy the smallest of pots from them.

    • Gretchen

    A set of Le Creuset for free?! Merry Christmas!

    • sarah

    Glad Doctors Without Borders is on your list!

    • Pete

    Me me me me me me me.

    • Julie

    Merry Christmas!

    • Kendra

    What a great way to give back this season. I always make at least one donation every year and it’s really great of you to promote those that you believe in.

    • James de Young

    Happy Holidays, David. What a great giveaway and such a festive color. I love your blog, I found it this spring shortly before my summer in Paris and France. It was helpful while there, and I have used quite a few of the recipes you have posted. The cherries recipe is amazing.
    Thanks.

    • Angela

    What an inspiring give-away! Thank you for your gentle reminder that presents pass … but people stay with us forever.

    • megan

    I love Le Creuset! Thanks for posting about those charities, I’ve only heard about two of them.

    • Emily

    Beautiful! And the red is very festive.

    • Margaret Hefner

    With the little extra I have to share, I was delighted when I discovered Kiva a couple of years ago. My small loans have helped, by now, 9 different entrepreneurs. The only thing I have asked to be given this year as a Christmas gift is certificates for Kiva. I don’t have much, but I have what I need, and far too many in this world need help to survive. I admire the entrepreneurs Kiva helps us support to get a leg up with their businesses. I will also have a look at Stoves for Darfur. SO many important causes… thanks for passing the info to your readers, David
    Never had cookware as fancy as Le Creuset, but I sure would put it to good use!

    • Barb

    Thank you. I enjoy your writing so much. I am making last week’s macaroon recipe tomorrow.

    • Ciel Evans

    Happy Holidays! Thanks for all your inspirational writings about food. I love reading your blog.

    • Hillary

    Ooo, Le Creuset! Yes please! Thanks for posting the links to charities – I love it when bloggers do that at this time of year. Joyeux Noel!

    • Maria

    Dreamy :) Happy Holidays!

    • Melissa

    Oh goodness- My husband could work wonders on that set! Thanks for the giveaway!

    • Casandra

    This is wonderful! :) I love your salted caramel ice cream.

    • hannah

    le creuset is the stuff of dreams, indeed. no wonder there are so many commenters here… if we could all give just a few dollars to these charities, guys, we can make a huge difference!

    • Kamilah

    A full set of Le Creuset–yes, please!

    • Ellen

    Thanks for all of your posts throughout the year, especially this one. Merry, Merry!!

    • Nate

    Yumm! Happy Holidays! Cheers…

    • Andrea Cade

    I’ve donated through Kiva before but I will again through 101 Cookbooks. What a wonderful idea.

    Thanks for the Le Creuset contest and your generous spirit.

    • Judy Bolton

    Thanks for the information about the Kiva group – I had never heard of it before.

    • christina

    Thank you for this offer and for your wonderful site, David.

    • Michelle H

    What a cool idea for a giveaway/charity!! Thanks!

    • Carrie

    It is also very important to give locally to support your community. We like to split it up – half locally, half globally.

    • Alexis Zimba-Kirby

    These charities are great! I am unable to donate (poor college student), but I hope everyone who is able to gives. Thank you for helping to raise awareness.

    • Lisa!

    So many charities- great call David, to remind us.

    I love the ideas of microloans. There are so many people who can make so much of what we’d spend on a week in lattes.

    • Aaron

    Wow…what a giveaway! And thank you for the reminder to all of us that we can all make a big difference with only a little effort.

    • Kim

    What a fabulous giveaway. Thank you!

    • terry mtz

    What a great way to raise awareness for these charities. Thanks, David. :)

    • Jennifer S

    I’ve never used better cookware the Le Creuset. I have coveted it for ages!

    • Kristin

    Le Creuset! My dream pots and pans!

    • Helene

    I am entering my husband Bob for the contest. He lives in the States. I would love Le Creuset. Magnifique set! Happy Holidays.

    • ERIN QUINN ROBISON

    Le Creuset is the secret ingredient!
    Thanks for all you post – I love your blog!

    It is the season of giving….what a great list of charities; all very worthy.

    Merry Christmas!

    • Malisha Serrano

    Le Creuset is the best, and cherry red is perfect. Sorry if I posted twice. I didn’t mean too. Small keyboard.

    • ciaochowlinda

    This is a fantastic giveaway and those are also great organizations to give too. May I also add another: Food for the Poor. Thanks for your initiative. Hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

    • Pen

    Thanks for reminding us of others this holiday season. We just finished filling out forms and writing checks for our favorite charities yesterday. Another charity to consider is the Salvation Army – they have very little administrative overhead and do so much for the homeless and disadvantaged. (My husband volunteers at one of their free clinics.)

    I would be delighted to win this set; it’s beautiful.

    • Sherry

    Love Le Creuset…love Paris…love your website! Hope I win!

    • Sigrid Lindholm

    Dear David,
    Yesterday I attempted to make Dulce de Leche on the stovetop. 3 hours later, it was still thickening. I think next time I’ll stick to your recipe in The Perfect Scoop, which turned out beautifully.
    In the mean time, I wait with fingers crossed for Le Creuset.
    :) Cheers,
    Sigrid

    • Rachel

    I would love this cookware and that red is my favorite color of theirs. I have wanted some of their pieces forever!

    • Jenn

    Gorgeous set! And great charities on your list

    • PMK

    Heifer International!

    Happy Holidays

    • Christy Howe

    So awesome! Thanks for this chance :) :)

    • Yvana

    Thank you for the reminder to give to the ones who need it the most. Merry Christmas!

    • Kim Davis

    I’ve given to Heifer International this year. I just love the idea of sending someone a flock of chickens or a beehive.

    This is a great blog, David. Thank you for all your effort in keeping it up! Merry Christmas!

    • Maggie

    As a non-profit worker, I thank you for raising awareness about all the good causes out there! Thanks also for the great giveaway!

    • Amelia

    Happy holidays – I would love an opportunity to win this charming set.

    • Adina F.

    I was just talking with my friends about Le Creuset and how amazing this cookware is. I have yet to own one, and would love to give my kitchen (and husband) a little treat with some Le Creuset pieces!

    • J. Micci

    Thank you so much for the great work you do here, and this special holiday bonus.

    • Nora

    Yes please! By the way, I just bought your book The Perfect Scoop for my partner to go with the ice cream maker I bought her. I read all of it before I wrapped it!

    • Jose Castro

    Love your site and Le Creuset

    • Charlynn rick

    Thank you for highlighting these special organizations David. Happy holidays to you!

    • Heatherly

    What a great gift this would be ….for ME!!

    Happy Holidays! Enjoy your snow!!

    • Ben Jackson

    This would make a wonderful gift! I like to think I’d give the set to a friend, but I’d really just keep it all for myself, haha.

    • Becky

    A lovely way to call attention to some great organizations that need our support. Thanks David!

    • Katy@ThoughtForFood

    Great giveaway!

    • leslie

    Love that you’re giving so generously in this wonderful season. Merry Christmas!!

    • brian k

    My girlfriend loves this color, winning this would be amazing.

    • janet

    This is a great idea. Thanks for sharing and happy holidays.

    • Rebecca

    Thanks for highlighting a few of the many worthy charities out there.

    • Kelley F

    It’s like you knew exactly what I wanted for Christmas.

    Thanks for the contest!

    • Susanne

    This would be a wonderful Christmas present.

    • Lisa

    An amazing giveaway, indeed! I’m in Paris right now and I’ve been following some of your suggestions… merci beaucoup!

    • Hai

    Wow, great. Thanks for the offer and wonderful recipes. Keep posting please.

    • Cooking with Michele

    As an advisory board member of Share Our Strength’s Cooking Matters (we teach healthy cooking and nutrition to families with very limited financial means), I applaud the work by bloggers to drive donations to charities at this time of year (and throughout the year!). One of my Dutch ovens just bit the dust, so I could really use a new one!

    • Elliot

    Please, let it be me!

    • Christina C.

    Thanks, David! Happy Holidays!

    • Jill Tregor

    s’il vous plait! and thank you for a great year of reading.

    • Regina Aguas

    Thanks for the suggestions on where to give.

    • monicagx

    That red set would look fabulous in my kitchen!

    • Jenna

    Have a very happy Parisian holiday!

    • Maurita

    Thanks for the nudge, and for the list! I’ve got a lot to be grateful for, and it’s a good idea to share fortune.

    • Romina Rasmussen

    I love the Smile Train and Share Our Strength. They both do such important work. Hope you’ve had a wonderful holiday season.

    • Malinda

    Wow! My husband would flip if I gave him this set for Christmas!

    • Leslie

    I love reading your blog!

    • SamGerace

    David,

    I appreciate your taking the time to call out charities you find impactful. If we’re really a global community, we should act like one – finding ways to help one another through direct service where possible, or through organizations that are effective in delivery when we can’t do it ourselves.

    • heather @ chiknpastry

    Ooh – I have a le creuset in red, so this set would go perfectly !!

    • Natasha

    I’m a long-time supporter of Doctors without Borders–so glad you chose to feature them!

    What a GREAT give-away. Thanks for that too!

    • Leslie

    I love reading your blog! Happy holidays to you!

    • Sarah Alfred

    These have been on my Christmas wish list for a few years now… What a dream come true if may number was reandomly generated! But as David mentioned, I am already so blessed to be sitting in a warm place, using a computer with internet, and getting to read my favorite things; food blogs!

    • Carley

    I’m a member of the 101 Cookbooks Kiva group….I put in maybe $100 about 2 years ago, and every time it gets repaid, I reloan it to someone else. My small amount has allowed me to make 35 loans in the past 2 years….every little bit helps!

    • Sarah-E

    Love Le Creuset!! And thank you for all the links to the charities.

    • Liza Hoke

    Great give-away. I just bought two gift certificates from KIVA. Glad to know about the stove project too.

    Peace to all from snowy Wyoming.

    • chefmom

    Thank you for highlighting these charities. Merry Christmas!

    • Tara F

    I would love to donate to those organizations, but this year I donated money to my local food pantry, and also to help a local no-kill animal shelter feed their animals. It is hard to help organizations outside your own area when there are so many local food banks going broke. I do recognize people in other countries are worse off than we Americans. If only I could win the lottery. Happy Holidays.

    • Matt

    Thanks for the opportunity.

    • Jennifer Merschel

    What a beautiful gift and thanks for reminding people to donate. It’s also easy to find lots of local charities in need around this time of year.

    • Rebecca

    Thank you for taking the time to remind us to share our fortunes with the less fortunate!

    • Jen Muntean

    What a generous giveaway! I have one Le Creuset piece that is my absolute favorite piece of cookware – just cooked Chicken and Dumplings in it last evening.
    I wouldn’t know what to do with a whole set – WOW.
    Great blog by the way…..

    • Onna

    I think this is the time of the year that people from different places come together and share joy and lend hands to people along with animals in need.
    You are so right David, a lot of us are very fortunate and we do not realize it until we see pictures of hungry kids, homeless, people affected by natural disaster. The last thanksgiving, people in my community got together at the shelter and we cooked from early in the morning so that we could deliver thanksgiving meals to friends, homeless people, and we also served meals at the shelter.
    I hope next year will be a beginning of less hungry kids, less natural disasters and more joys in different parts of the world.
    Take care and Merry X mas.

    • kathyt

    Happy holidays and thanks for the attention to causes that make a difference.

    • Tess Leach

    What a treat a new set of Le Creuset would be! Happy holidays to you and yours, David.

    • Jeremy

    Thanks for the giveaway.

    • Marlene Baumann

    Thanks for mentioning Doctors without Borders. Happy Holidays!

    • Carole

    Thank you for such a wonderful opportunity.

    • Laura

    That is great of you to bring up the subject, we live such sheltered lives, giving everything for granted.

    Happy Holidays to you!

    • AlexisW

    What a great giveaway! Thank you and happy holidays!

    • DavidL.

    My wife would flip over this set. Thanks for the chance.

    • Suzette Harris

    I would love the Le Creuset set. Love your blog and can’t wait to see you in San Antonio on the 17th. Also, consider Compassion International. For so little money so much is given to a child.

    • peabody

    Always a good reminder to be charitable this time of year. We give every year to our local pet shelter that is for older and sick dogs that no one wants to take, as well as the local food bank!

    Thanks for the giveaway, much better than a lump of coal.

    • Dave Mackie

    I’ve been a long time reader, and love the blog, and would love to win the Le Creuset!
    Merry Christmas!

    • amy

    Would love to get this set!! So much use out of this!

    • Christine

    Happy Holidays, David!

    • Laurie Jesch-Kulseth

    Thanks for the chance at the wonderful giveaway…and thanks for having such a wonderful blog. I look forward to your new posts every few days! Happy Holidays, David!

    • Jessicah

    I’ve never heard of Stoves for Darfur, how awesome! I’ve already given away all the money I had budgeted for charity this year to World Vision and Operation Christmas Child among others, but I think that’ll go on my list for next year!

    And oh boy, how I would LOVE to win this set of Le Creuset!! Amazing!

    • Dani

    These are gorgeous and would be wonderful in my sadly lacking kitchen. Hope everyone has a great holiday.

    • laurie

    Sweet fancy moses thats an awesome giveaway! I like to promote charities as well. We donate to the Epilepsy Foundation, both national and local chapter. Any little bit you give to your favorite charity really does help!

    • Willa

    Party down!

    • Lucia G

    This is an amazing way to spread awareness. Happy holidays.

    • Jayeeta

    Wonderful giveaway!
    Doctor’s Without Borders would be my choice….
    Have a great Christmas Season, David, and an even happier New Year!
    J

    • karen

    Thanks for the contest.
    I hope charities will do well this year despite the hard economic times. Giving makes you feel good.

    • jae_em

    Happy Holidays!

    • Juliette Williams

    What a wonderful opportunity, both to win some heirloom cookware, and to participate in a very special cause. Thank you, David, for both. May you have a wonderful New Year.

    • Molly

    Thanks David!

    • Karen

    Generosity abounds this Christmas. The kiva loan program is fabulous. Thanks for the opportunity to win Le Creuset. Love your blog and look forward to your humorous and informative posts daily.

    • melodie

    Perfect for my husband, since I cant really afford anything else this year!

    • Amy

    Joyeux Noël, David!

    • Elke

    Wow, what an amazing response already! Love reading your blog all year and hope you have a Merry Christmas. We’ll be making one of your ice creams from The Perfect Scoop. Each one we have made has been wonderful. We have the Panforte currently in the freezer!

    • Kelly R

    Wonderful give-away and amazing charities! Tis the season!

    • Krista Lambert

    Love your blog!

    • Pam Rahmings

    Oh Le Creuset cookware, how I adore you! Please, come live and my house and make all my cooking dreams come true!

    • Kristen

    Happy holidays!

    • Emma

    Great selection of charities and great giveaway! I love reading your blog, happy holidays!

    • Michelle mumar

    I have one Le creuset pot and it has changed my life!!

    Great causes David will definitely contribute this year. It’s so easy to get jaded especially during the holidays with abundance of everything everywhere. It is really important to stop and give thanks for all our blessings.

    • Pam Rahmings

    Oh Le Creuset cookware, how I adore you! Please, come live at my house and make all my cooking dreams come true!

    • Katie

    Joyeux Noël, Daveed!

    • Krista M.

    It would be amazing to wine – I love Le Creuset! A wonderful idea to donate to worthy causes as well. It’s easy to forget how much we have, especially in this economy when we are all feeling a bit tight with money, but many of us are SO lucky.

    • Stephanie

    It’d be an absolute dream to win this Le Creuset set!

    • summerbl4ck

    Doctors Without Borders and Share Our Strength are favorites of mine. Thanks for the reminder to give.

    • Alex

    Thanks for sharing – both Le Creuset and (more importantly) the work great organizations are doing!

    • Cheryl Matzker

    What a great list of very worthy charities! Thank you for doing this, David.

    • Christa

    Great blog, great giveaway!

    • Andi

    Wishing you a wonderful holiday.

    • Ella

    I like this website more and more and more and not just because of this contest.

    Great job David.

    Happy Holidays!

    • caseykay68

    wonderful contest and wonderful charities, count me in.

    • Kat

    This is a great set – thanks

    • whitney

    Thank you for highlighting such wonderful charities.

    • Amber | Bluebonnets & Brownies

    I had the opportunity to blog for and donate to Share Our Strength 2 weeks ago. Such a wonderful organization! Thank you for bringing more attention their way.

    • Aleese

    I heart Le Creuset!!!

    • Natalie

    Fingers crossed. Thanks for the opportunity!

    • RACHEL

    YES PLEASE! This is one of more impressive give-aways i’ve seen… happy christmas!

    • Amy M.

    Love your blog. Love your Facebook posts. Love your food. Loved “THE SWEET LIFE IN PARIS”!!! Just wish I’d read it before using the restrooms at my friends’ homes this past summer. I’ll know for next time. Thanks for all of your contributions to my life. I’m a huge fan. Happy Holidays!

A

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