When she isn't catering events for hundreds of people at the Don Strange Ranch or the Buckhorn Saloon, Di-Anna Arias can often be found giving presentations on behalf of Don Strange of Texas, Inc, traveling the world in search of new tastes. On June 22, 2010 Arias will add another feather to her cap when she is named president of the San Antonio chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, an international organization that counts such famous names as Julia Childs and Alice Waters as members. It is an honor that Arias is more than happy to accept.
"I cannot tell you how excited I am," she gushes with her trademark enthusiasm. "It means so much to me because every woman in this group is a leader and they have all accomplished so much in their own right."
A Fresh Start
Fresh food has been a part of Arias' life ever since she was a little girl. As a 4-year-old on a farm in East Texas, Arias reached into the warm, dark earth of her great-uncle's garden and pulled up a potato. Fascinated, she put it to her nose, breathing in the uniquely fresh and earthy smell. Then the precocious youngster peeled and tasted it right there in the field.
"I can still recall the feeling of pulling up that potato," she says with delight. "At that time I had no idea where mashed potatoes came from or where any food came from for that matter. It is the first time I can remember thinking that food is really amazing."
A Culinary Career
Arias, whose mother owns and operates Sweet Designs Bake Shop, knew that a career in the food industry was in her blood, but a career in the catering industry was the last thing on her mind.
"I thought I wanted to work in one of the new and luxurious downtown hotels or maybe in the party planning industry," she says.
All that changed when, at the urging of a friend who worked for Don Strange of Texas, Inc, Arias volunteered to help out at the Witte Game Dinner and the rest is culinary history.
"Don hired me to fill in as the front office assistant for one month," she laughs. "Twenty-three years later here I am."
Together this dynamic team has figured out some pretty amazing things such as how to plan not one but two dinners at the White House. They signed contracts on the same tables where historical treaties were signed and planned menus to meet the culinary needs of international guests.
Coming Full Circle
Arias is one of those cooks for whom a recipe is simply a suggestion. She owns more than 300 cookbooks and enjoys combining recipes to create something new.
With all of her experience and cooking techniques, Arias claims that her specialty is pies and she loves making them for her family, husband and Earl Abel's partner Roger Arias and 16-year-old son Jordan.
Arias' love of food is a trait that she has passed on to Jordon since he was old enough to sample his first solids. She made all of Jordan's baby food from scratch, burning up two large food processors in the process.
Today, Jordan is considering a career in culinology and enjoys accompanying his mom on culinary excursions to different cities where they sample the local cuisines, a fact that makes his mom very proud.
Les Dames d'Escoffier
Arias became a member of Les Dames d'Escoffier three years ago and her rise to the top has been fast. She has served as the second vice president for the past two years and says the group is a great fit for her.
"From the first conference I attended in Miami I was blown away by the depth and seriousness in which food was taken," she says. "I was like a sponge soaking everything up."
Les Dames d'Escoffier International is an organization of professional women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality.
"We are chefs and restaurateurs, caterers, food stylists and photographers, authors, historians, food writers and editors, radio and television hosts, literary agents, public relations managers, educators, manufacturers and merchants, farmers and food scientists, vintners, mycologists—and more," describes San Antonio Dame and Past International president Pat Mozersky. "We look forward to welcoming Di-Anna as our newest President."
