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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

    • An Nguyen

    Oh my God, it would be so amazing to win. I want nothing more than a Le Creuset French oven.

    Also, please consider adding Charity: Water to your list of organization. I do believe very firmly in their cause.

    • Clio

    Yes please! Just back from the Kiva website and agree their work is fabulous!

    • Sonja Kepko

    What a gorgeous set! I’m already thinking of things I can use them to make.

    • Emily DeVoto

    Happy holidays, David; thanks for all you do, and for the reminder about good charities that need our support.

    • Kristin

    This will make someone very happy this Christmas! We are fortunate indeed to not only have enough food to eat, but have such nice kitchen equipment to cook it in.

    • Nathalie (spacedlaw – spacedlawyer)

    I suppose I can enter and have the things sent to a friend in the US?
    Stoves for Darfur is a great idea.

    • Jan Engström

    Great intiative! That’s some classy stuff and I’ll be happy to jump into the holiday donation bandwagon – win or lose!!

    • Emily

    Thank you so much for putting up charity info. It’s a very thoughtful thing to do. Happy Holidays!

    • aimee male

    a great reminder to give and that the season of giving should really be year-round. :-)

    • Rachel Nguyen

    Love the blog!!!

    • Michael Roberts

    Thank you for this reminder of those in need….let’s all give……Merry Christmas!

    • Sarah

    So great to hear of new (to me) and exciting charities :-D

    • Yelli

    I vaguely knew someone who worked for Drs w/o borders. He was truly a hero. I never realized how dangerous their jobs were until I spoke with him. I always donate to them but am glad you are bringing their charity & giving it more attention with your wide readership.

    • Sunshine [at] The Culinary Vampire

    Thanks for coordinating this, David!

    Also, just got The Perfect Scoop for my bday to go along with my new fancy Cuisinart ice scream machine. I squealed; it’s the truth…

    • David
    David Lebovitz

    Nathalie: As noted in #2, Yes, you must have a shipping address in the United States where it can be sent to.

    • charlotte s

    Winning these would be just awesome! I absolutely love the color!
    And i adore your site too :)

    • Monica

    I’m in the UK but am entering on behalf of my family in the US, who love to cook but are in dire need of better tools. And on that note, thanks for calling our attention to the people who are in need of a lot more than cookware – you have a lot of readers, many of whom I’m sure will donate after reading this post. Good one. Tis the season!

    • Alyssa

    A really thoughtful gesture to remind us all that though this season may be bountiful, there are lots of people who lack all the luxuries we take for granted. Thumbs up! :>

    • J

    Thank you. Mele Kalikimaka!

    • kaszeta

    Nice. I just sent off a check to the World Food Program (since Menu For Hope didn’t seem to happen this year).

    • alice

    Thanks for highlighting these worthy and interesting projects. Merry Xmas.

    • Theresa Mygrant

    Thanks!” Peace on Earth, Good will towards Man”and Happy Holiday to you all…

    • arnold gatilao

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

    • Jamie

    Absolutely adore Le Creuset and all my pieces are in this cherry red! Truly a wonderful gesture to think of those who are in need, especially at this time of year when we are spoiling ourselves and loved ones…. We support the wonderful people at lowernine.org where our son has been volunteering his time, energy and passion for almost a year now. They are rebuilding homes in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans that were destroyed by Katrina. Thanks to this great group, many people will be spending the holidays back in their own homes.

    • kehau

    Thank you for the list of charities – all are worthy causes! With the size of your readership, hopefully these folks will have a brighter holiday season.

    • melanie rovens

    what the hell you never know

    • Barbara Isenberg

    Doctors Without Borders is my absolute favorite charity. The majority of donations go to actual work in the field (not overhead) which makes so much more of a difference. Thank you for reminding everyone of their great work!

    • c

    Thanks for the list, love the site!

    • Mary

    Thank you for the opportunity.

    • Maia

    It’s wonderful that you bring up the charity issue. We’re certainly missing Menu for Hope this year!

    • marsel

    Doctors Without Borders – what a fantastic organization!

    • Angela Knipple

    Stoves for Darfur is amazing. It’s so great to see that issue being addressed. And I would love some Le Creuset. It would go so well with the 2x4s and plywood that currently comprise my kitchen.

    And we bought Perfect Scoop for our son last year. It has truly been one of the best (and tastiest) investments we’ve made in a while.

    • Rob

    Kiva is a great organization, helping people to help themselves.

    • Natalie

    Merry Christmas David! Thanks for highlighting these important causes and thank you for your lovely blog ;)

    • Karina

    wow!!!! that would be awesome!! i was just looking into different charity options this holiday season, you reminded me of some fantastic ones.
    fingers crossed!

    • amy

    I would LOVE to own a creuset! I’ll look into those charities as well.

    • Lora

    I am a supporter of Doctors Without Borders. In a world where humanitarian worker are becoming more and more targeted by insurgents and rebels, they are true heros and the work they do is nothing short of heroic. Thanks for including them.

    • Lindsey

    Oh what I wouldn’t give for this set now that I’m always in the kitchen!!

    Wonderful competition and great charity list – my husband and I give to Doctor’s Without Borders monthly!

    • LaraM

    Thank you for the list and the reminder. I had the same thought yesterday as I sat in my toasty warm kitchen watching the snow come down…I am warm, safe and full, but there are many who are not. I love your blog!

    • Metka Beloglavec

    What a wonderful tradition!

    • Paul Knipple

    Happy holidays, David. We’re big fans of Heifer International.

    • Remy

    Absolutely love the charities. All are great causes, but I’ve always had a particular soft spot for the work Doctors Without Borders does.

    • Raffaella

    Thank you!

    • anna ravenscroft

    Love the idea. You rock!

    • J. A.

    While I did not donate to the causes you mentioned in your post, this year I donated to a rugby program for disadvantaged boys in New York City, National Public Radio because I love it, Project ALS because a dear friends is suffering from this terrible disease, and a local environmental NGO I work with and adore in South India!

    And I am definitely throwing in the towel for this contest! :)

    • Rachel

    I like to commit to one charity. Mine is Kiva.org. I give them money and they do micro loans around the world. When the money comes back, I re-give and it adds up over time.

    Red is my favorite kitchen color so I am happy to enter your generous drawing.

    Happy Holidays!

    • Tyson

    Great idea for holiday charities.

    • Ann M

    It is the season of giving. Let’s do the best we can to help others, starting from people around you.

    • Cynthia

    What a wonderfully Christmas-y Le Creuset colour… and a great list of charities for New Years donations. Merry Christmas!

    • Julia

    Tis the season of giving!

    That is a great selection of charities…will do what I can.

    • Stephanie

    I’ve been having similar thoughts. Here’s hoping this send donations flooding in to those charities.

    • Lu

    Love Le Creuset cookware. But then again, I’m never lucky with giveaways, so lets see if this time’s the lucky one.

    • Bronwyn

    I’ve been donating to my friend’s organization in Guatemala, Nuestros Ahijados–I went down to visit and volunteer a few years ago. http://www.ana.org.gt/

    Happy Holidays!

    • Paul

    I love that cookware!

    • Annie White

    Exciting David! I am checking out Stoves for Darfur right now. A very interesting concept. All the best to you over the holidays. Joyeux noël!

    • daniela

    Love the idea of giving to charity for xmas. Thanks for all of your great posts all year long David!!

    • Scott

    I’d be more than willing to pay customs and remailer fees to get this into Canada if I won!

    • Heather

    Yay for charity giveaways! I know I’m in Paris, but I’m sure my mom in Gettysburg could use a Le Creuset pot. :-)

    • frank

    Very impressive thoughts.
    Would love this set, BTW!
    Keep up the great work! I never miss your posts.

    • Amy C.

    Thanks for the list, David. What a marvelous thing to do for the holidays.

    • Jeremy Goldstein

    Great idea and a fantastic contest.

    • meg

    What a nice thing to do for the Holidays! I would like to add that Heifer International does great work too.

    • Naomi

    What I wouldn’t do with a set of Le Creuset!

    • Allison

    Sigh. Those are beautiful.

    • Carole

    I love le Creuset, their cookware is just gorgeous!

    • Nese

    David, you have a fabulous web site, it is very inspiring (and also very very yummy..:)).

    • Jami

    Oh, this is quite cool. Thanks for the info, too!

    • Troye

    I support Share Our Strength and a local Atlanta organization called Street Grace (focused on ending the rampant childhood prostitution problem in Atlanta).
    Thanks for the giveaway!!!

    • adam

    great giveaway and great causes

    • Andrea

    I live in Paris but I believe that this set would top many a Christmas lust list back home. Crossing my fingers!

    Thank you for including such wonderful charities. We’re all so lucky compared to so many and it’s nice to be reminded in how many creative and widespread ways that we can make life a little brighter for others across the globe!

    • K Gupta

    Stoves for Darfur – a very interesting and practical cause!

    • Donna

    thank you for suggesting these great organizations to contribute to…count me as entered

    • Sarah

    Wonderful charity ideas. Merry Christmas!

    • Amanda @ Easy Peasy Organic

    Love love love Le Creuset … and Kiva, too!

    • Judith

    Exciting! I’d love to win this; all my cookware is cheap Target stuff due to finances.

    • Peter

    I think this is a great way to raise awareness for these great organizations. Thanks for inspiring me to give this holiday season.

    • Lynn

    I have a family member who works for Share Our Strength – a truly wonderful organization.

    • Karate

    Oh, wow! I was just staring at these from afar the other day! This is fantastic.

    • Kerrin @ MyKugelhopf

    excellent of you to share the list and links of the charities above, thank you. and certainly generous of le creuset to offer this giveaway. thank goodness i have an address (= parents) in nyc. and i’ll cross my fingers (and toes) that this package will arrive there. only, then i’d have to fight my mom for it… good luck to me – on both counts ! happy holidays, david.

    • Shannon Bugnon

    Luck be Le Creuset tonight! Thanks for your blog and your dedication to charity, especially this month when others need so much.

    • Lis

    Oh the dishes my mom and I could prepare together with this gorgeous cookware…

    Any chance you can get me off the waitlist and into your class at Central Market in Houston?!?! Pretty please?!

    • Tim

    I’m lucky to have a US address… I shudder to think what it will cost to ship them to Brasil if I do win.

    • Sarah

    We give to the Smile Train every year but thanks for the reminder about Doctors without Borders.

    • Curry

    Thanks for the giveaway and list of charities. Now is a good time as any to be thankful, giving and generous. Happy holidays.

    • Dan

    Thank you for mentioning this wonderful group of charities.

    Wouldn’t it be nice to have this beautiful set of cookware!

    • Ambika Kumar

    Lovely thought!

    • Sarah

    Awesome charity related give away! Every holiday season I give to Toys for Tots. Its a wonderful charity. I used to volunteer there as a child. Happy Holidays!

    • Lauren

    Wow, nice giveaway!

    • Lior Shapira

    Oh how I pine for a set of Le Caruset… and being Jewish its not like Santa is going to bring me any

    • Pat Nix

    Thanks for the nudge–Heifer International is my charity of choice. A wonderful concept for giving self-sustaining opportunities to those who need a hand up.

    • gharkness

    How exciting! Would love to win this set!

    All the charities you mention assist people (and they are all admirable). It would also be wonderful if your interested readers would look into the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. Animals need our help too!

    • Denise

    Those look amazing. I’d love to win them :)

    • bibliothecaire

    Fabulous idea! Meilleurs voeux pour le nouvel an.

    • Grace

    Thanks for exposing me to Kiva & 101 Cookbooks…what a great way to promote solidarity among food lovers, producers, creators, etc!

    Merry Christmas and keep up the good (blog) work!

    Grace
    La Habra, CA

    • Caroline

    I’ve entered my mom’s email address as she lives in the US and I don’t, and also she has more cabinet space that me and would adore this :)

    • Anne

    Thanks and happy holidays!

    • H

    Those are great NGO’s! Also take a look at Oxfam America, which also not only does great development work but also lobbies to change policies to promote equitable and sustainable development.

    • Christine

    Wonderful post. Thanks for the reminder!

    • ClaireNMN

    I love the whole idea of Kiva and am hoping to roll some Christmas gifts into the program…

    • Margaret Westerman

    What a nice prize! And I completely approve of the suggested charities.

    • Jennifer Jo

    What a great giveaway!

    • Krista Crane

    Of course I’d love to win just like everyone else, thanks for the chance :)

    • JonO

    Thanks for writing a great blog, David.

    • Tori Bertran

    Doctors Without Borders is one of my favorite charities. What a great way to support them

    • Michele

    Great tradition! Thank you.

    • Lauren Blau

    I’d love to win this set. And I definitely agree that Doctors Without Borders is a great charity to donate to.

    • nikki

    I love these!

    Happy Holidays!

    • Kristin

    I love Kiva. I haven’t been to the site in a long time! Thanks for the reminder.
    Dear Random Number Generator,
    All I want for christmas is this lovely set of cookware and a Canon Rebel (but i think my hubby got the memo) Please pick me.
    Kristin

    • Cheryl Stoy

    David, your holiday list for 2010 is in tune with mine. This year I am giving common sense, hugs, and tolerance cause the world seems to be in short supply of these 3 attributes and free reading lessons to non-readers at my local outreach center.

    • P

    Happy Holidays!

    • Emily K

    What a beautiful set! If I’m lucky enough to win, I’m going to share it with others so that more than one person can enjoy.

    • Margaret

    David, thanks so much for all your wonderful recipes, funny comments, and travel tips this year and also for the charity reminder — great end to the year. Thanks also to Le Creuset for the opportunity to win the fabulous cookware set!!! Merry Christmas!

    • Elodie

    how silly, they can’t even ship to the owner of the blog! Anyway, I’d still love to enter. I don’t know if I could have them shipped back to france but at worst my mother in the US could enjoy them!

    • Maria Farrar

    Please please number generator choose me!!!!! Merry christmas David, love your recipes!!!

    • Barbara Leung

    Amazing giveaway! Would love to win this one – going to have to cross my fingers!

    • beetle

    Hi David, Thank you so much for your great recipes! Your vanilla ice cream is just perfect :) I would love to win this wonderful set.
    Some friends of mine had a similar idea for their wedding gift list. Since they felt so fortunate, their wish list was actually a list of institutions. Then the guests would just tell them which one they helped.
    Thanks for the suggestions. But let’s not forget those smaller local institutions!

    • AG

    Happy holidays, and thanks!

    • Kristin

    Utterly delighful offer, and I adore your taste in charities. Thank you so much for all that you do to sweeten our lives–have a lovely holiday!

    • Erica

    A very good reminder of what’s important. A great blog, and a great givaway.

    • piccola

    Nice! I just donated to Médecins Sans Frontières.

    • Laura

    Hi David,
    This is the first time ever I leave a comment, although I am an avid reader of your blog…
    I love what you are doing and the more I read, the more I want to live and cook in France myself!

    Happy holidays,
    Laura

    • Lillian

    What a fantastic giveaway! Love all of the charities that you chose to feature:)

    • Sue Cook

    Beautiful idea and a really interesting post. I wasn’t familiar with the Kiva group. Have a happy holiday.

    • Three-Cookies

    Would love to give this as a present to a friend who spends tremendous time and effort working with frontier markets (high risk emerging markets). He deserves a thank you this Xmas.

    • Liora Noam

    Happy Holidays,

    Thanks for sharing your great recipes!

    Liora

    • Noël Stout

    J’adore Le Creuset! I particulary love the red!

    • James Doyle

    All I want for Christmas is a set of LeCreuset cookware! Merry Christmas Everyone!

    • Stephen

    Well why not? First time commenter, long-time reader. Merry Christmas!

    • Elena

    Happy Holidays!

    • MegJ

    great recipes and happy holidays!

    • Susan B.

    David, those are all great organizations! Thank you for this opportunity and have a joyful end to the year!

    • Johanna

    Thank you for the offer and for all of your amazing stories and delicious recipes.

    • Jo

    Doctors without Borders does some really good work. Thanks for the reminder!

    • Sarah

    Oooh merry cherry red!

    Please place us on the Le Creuset list! We have been such good kids this year and would be so very thrilled to give them a happy little home in our hungry little kitchen!

    Thank you for another delicious year full of flavor and inspiration, David. We are huge fans of your blog, the Kiva Group and the Smile Train.

    Merci pour tout …

    Joyeux Noël!

    • Alex

    wonderful idea. happy holidays.

    • JC

    Great giveaway, and great charities to support. Thanks!

    • John

    Thanks for the reminder — these are indeed worthy causes! And thanks for keeping this blog going another year — I smile whenever I check in and find a new entry.

    • Rick

    Thanks for the reminder of these great charities.

    • Lili

    Oo la la, what a beautiful set.

    • Nancy white

    We love Kiva – and this year especially we are also giving to the area foodbanks and homeless shelters – so many children are in need.

    • Claire Atkinson

    Happy holidays! Thanks for all the great posts throughout the year, I really enjoy your blog! (And am keeping my fingers crossed for the Le Creuset!)

    • Terry Kessinger

    What great charities. And those kids who see a need and actually do something about it? Amazing.

    Thanks for the opportunity. For me to get the cookware and for these charities to get support.

    • Charlie

    What a great give-away, and so nice to include the charity donations as well.

    • Kris G.

    I love red Le Creuset and charity! Hooray for your giveaway and your list of donation ideas!

    • Pam

    Great giveaway. Wish intl shipping were easier. But it will make a great Christmas gift for my expat friends in the us.

    • Randy

    Who could pass up a shot at a set of Le Creuset?

    • Marielle Staropoli

    Absolutely love your blog and of course le creuset!
    I am giving donations to the Heifer Organization as gifs this season. You can select the amount and the animal you want to give and a family/person in need will receive it to help them make a living.. For example a chicken to provide eggs to sell and eat.. Or a cow for milk etc.

    • Meaghen

    Thank you for reminding me of all the donations I need to bring in to work today. And thanks for the great give-away!

    • Lina

    Yay! Thanks for the chance!

A

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