Desperately seeking volunteers for the IACP conference in Denver

"Dearest Peers in Food and Life..." That's the word-for-word salutation lifted from an e-mail I just read from Sylvia Tawse, the International Association of Culinary Professionals' host city committee chair -- and a woman I've never met in my life. But you know what? Anyone who starts her e-mails with that kind of greeting must be worth meeting, right? Plus, we're both members of Les Dames d' Escoffier International (Google it, if you must), which means that we're kinda-sorta colleagues. Kiss, kiss.

Anyway, the IACP, in case you haven't already heard, is hosting its annual foodie conference right here in Denver, April 1-4, at the Colorado Convention Center and Sheraton Downtown Denver Hotel. The crux of the e-mail, my dearest peers in food and life (what about peers in wine? Or beer?), is actually a pretty desperate plea for volunteers.

"Calling all foodies! Be a Colorado food ambassador! Volunteers urgently needed for IACP Conference," continues the e-mail, which goes on to say that dozens of volunteer shifts are available, most of which would require three to five hours of your time. Additionally, writes Tawse, volunteering "allows one to represent our state well while networking with chefs, authors, writers and other culinary pros attending the conference."

Volunteers are needed Sunday, March 29, and April 1-4. No culinary skills are required, but a friendly disposition and an interest in food (obviously) would be be beneficial. If you're interested in volunteering, send an e-mail to leeann@freshideasgroup.com.