News of SF Dames

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International Selects Two Bay Area Women to Receive Business and Mentorship Grants

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, December 2023—The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) is thrilled to announce the grant winners of their inaugural 2023 Female Entrepreneurship Grant and Mentorship program: Stephanie de la Cruz of De La Creamery in Oakland and Wendy Lieu of Socola Chocolatier in San Francisco.

The mission of the LDEI-SF Female Entrepreneur Grant and Mentorship program is to support SF Bay Area female-owned businesses in the food, culinary and hospitality industry with cash awards of $5,000 to help them expand and enhance their business. This is an exciting opportunity to help advance the grant winner’s businesses through financial support and ongoing mentorship.

The grant recipients will receive benefit from a full year of mentoring meetings amongst fellow accomplished business owners, entrepreneurs, and members of the LDEI-SF Business Grant Committee: Mary Gassen, Emily Luchetti, Maryam Ahmed, Linda Carucci, Sue Conley, Duskie Estes, Janet Griggs, Marsha McBride, and Dominica Rice-Cisneros. In addition, they will receive access to relationship-building and networking as part of LDEI-SF's extensive and thriving membership.

"The LDEI Grant committee was honored to receive more than 20 applications in our inaugural year from very qualified woman-owned food businesses in the Bay Area,” said co-chair of LDEI-SF’s Business Grant Committee Mary Gassen, who created the concept. “The financial award is important to both businesses, but we feel that the year-long mentorship these businesses will receive from our chapter will be invaluable.”

The Grant Recipients

Stephanie De La Cruz worked in events and hospitality for many years, but upon losing her job during the COVID-19 pandemic, started making ice cream. Stephanie decided to take on the challenge of making horchata ice cream; a prominent flavor in many taquerias and Mexican homes. Once the recipe was mastered, she started developing a line of ice cream flavors dedicated to her Mexican heritage and culture. Shortly after, De La Creamery was born. In 2023, she took out her first business loan, and looks forward to eventually expanding her business into a brick-and-mortar location.

"I am looking forward to learning and being connected to the talented creators of the Bay Area, many of which are household names for our community,” stated De La Cruz. “We will be able to pave the steps to following in their footsteps.”

Wendy Lieu has been making handmade chocolates and confections that reflect the diverse flavors of her Vietnamese heritage for over 22 years. A self-taught Chocolatier, Wendy also attended classes at the Culinary Institute of America and evening classes at Pastry School at Tante Marie Cooking School in San Francisco, and took the plunge into full business ownership through a Business Planning Course at Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center. She also holds a degree in Managerial Economics from UC Davis.

Timing of the award is particularly advantageous for Lieu, who will celebrate the store’s 10-year anniversary next February. “I am so excited to be able to refresh the store with new signage and updates to make it an even more inviting space for our customers. I also look forward to the mentorship to grow my business.”

This year’s awards were made possible due to the generous support of Mijenta Tequila and the fundraising efforts of the San Francisco chapter of LDEI-SF, as well as the commitment of mentoring time and talent of the chapter’s Dames. A gathering to celebrate the award winners will be held in the Bay Area in early 2024.

 

 

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About Les Dames d’Escoffier International

LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage and hospitality fields. To do this, 2,500 members in 43 chapters worldwide provide leadership, educational opportunities and philanthropy within their communities. For more information, visit LDEI.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram @lesdamesintl, LinkedIn and Twitter @lesdamesintl. More information on The San Francisco chapter of LDEI, which will celebrate 35 years in 2024, can be accessed at lesdamessf.org. Follow our chapter activities on Instagram @lesdamessf.

 

Media Contacts

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET

Communications Committee Chair, Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco Chapter

kcharles@charlescomm.com

415-730-0064

 

Katie Canfield, DipWSET

Communications Committee, Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco Chapter

katie@odonnell-lane.com

530-720-1138

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International Awards Teresa Cotsirilos the 2023 Karola Saekel Craib Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship

 

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 5, 2023—The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) is pleased to announce Teresa Cotsirilos as the 2023 recipient of the Karola Saekel Craib Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship. This  philanthropic organization of women leaders in food, fine beverage, and hospitality awards this fellowship annually to a promising Bay Area woman or nonbinary food journalist who is not a Les Dames d’Escoffier member and who has worked fewer than 10 years, full time, in the field of food journalism. The $5,000 award is presented as an acknowledgement for good works and as encouragement to continue writing and to remain in the field of journalism. Cotsirilos is a staff reporter at the Food and Environment Reporting Network (FERN) where she covers labor rights and climate equity in both audio and print.

Read more at teresamariacotsirilos.com.

“This fellowship was created in 2010 to honor Karola, a revered journalist who also paved the way for women writers throughout her career,” said Pam Mazzola, President of LDEI-SF. “Our membership is proud to recognize Teresa and all past and future recipients of the fellowship as journalists whose work furthers the legacy that Karola began. Since 2010, thanks to our members’ generosity, and outside donations, the award has grown from $1,000 to $5,000.”

The review committee, which includes Dames Janet Fletcher and Margo True, as well as several past recipients, evaluated nine impressive nominees. The selection process is by confidential nominations, and nominees are anonymous except to the committee and reviewers. Not even the journalists know they have been nominated. Since there is no application process, evaluations are based on published works. The goal of the monetary award is to make a difference in the recipient’s career by providing support, acknowledgment, and incentive.

Our recipients include print, electronic and broadcast journalists and their works cover food, wine & spirits, agriculture, policy, restaurant criticism, social justice, foodways and food culture.

Confidential nominations for the fellowship are received throughout the year, reviewed in the summer, and awarded in the fall. For more information about the fellowship, its nomination process, and past recipients, please visit lesdamessf.org/Fellowship.

 

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About Les Dames d’Escoffier International

LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who support excellence in the food, beverage and hospitality fields To this end, 2,600 members in 42 chapters worldwide provide leadership, educational opportunities and philanthropy within their communities. For more information, visit LDEI.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram @lesdamesintl, Linked-in and Twitter @lesdamesintl. More information on The San Francisco chapter of LDEI can be accessed at lesdamessf.org. Follow our chapter activities on Instagram @lesdamessf.

Media Contacts

 

Fellowship Queries

Roberta Klugman

Co-Chair Karola Saekel Craib Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship

510-928-1446
rklugman@robertaklugman.com

Jennifer Newens
Co-Chair Karola Saekel Craib Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship

415-845-5798
jennifernewens@sbcglobal.net

Chapter queries

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET
Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco, Communications Committee Chair 

415-730-0064

We are so excited to have officially inducted our new 2023-2024 members to the San Francisco Les Dames Chapter! Please read more about these incredible women below. 

LDEI SF New Members 2023

• FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

   

   

  San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier Announces New Entrepreneur Grant and Mentorship Program

  Philanthropic organization of women leaders in food, fine beverage, and hospitality will foster success of two female business owners through financial support and mentorship

  SAN FRANCISCO, CA, September 6, 2023—The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) is now accepting applications for its first Female Entrepreneurship Grant and Mentorship Program, designed to support and nurture aspiring local, female-owned businesses in the food, culinary and hospitality industry.

  The inaugural 2023 program will present two grants to SF Bay Area-based business owners identifying as women who are not current members of Les Dames d’Escoffier. This is an exciting opportunity to help advance successful candidates’ businesses through cash awards and ongoing mentorship, as well provide access for relationship building and networking with LDEI-SF’s extensive and thriving membership.

  “We are thrilled to launch this important program to support female-owned businesses in our local Bay Area communities,” says Mary Gassen, co-chair of LDEI-SF’s Business Grant Committee. “We know too well the obstacles that females face when establishing and growing a business, especially in the culinary and hospitality worlds. We look forward to helping them expand and enhance their business with cash awards and mentorship opportunities with our highly esteemed committee members."

  The two 2023 grant recipients will receive a cash award in the amount of $5,000 and one year of mentoring meetings. Grant mentors are esteemed members of the LDEI-SF Business Grant Committee who are themselves successful business owners and entrepreneurs: Mary Gassen (Co-Chair), Emily Luchetti (Co-Chair), Maryam Ahmed, Linda Carucci, Sue Conley, Duskie Estes, Janet Griggs, Marsha McBride, and Dominica Rice-Cisneros.

  The application requires that specific criteria are met to ensure that the grants support local, women-owned businesses:  

  • The business must have been in operation since January 1, 2022;
  • The business must be female-owned and located in, or primarily serving, the San Francisco Bay Area;
  • The business must have less than $1M in annual revenue;
  • Applicants must provide a profit and loss statement for 2022 and another for 2023 year to date.

  Applicants must also submit a 500-word essay or five-minute video stating who they are, what their business provides, and how they plan to use the grant to further their business goals.

  Five selected finalists will participate in a virtual interview with the LDEI-SF Business Grant Committee, who will then make their final selection of the two grant recipients.

  For a complete list of requirements and to apply, please review the application page on the LDEI-SF website.

  For questions about the application process and criteria, contact LDEI-SF Business Grant Committee Co-Chair Mary Gassen with any maryg@noevalleybakery.com.

   

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  About Les Dames d’Escoffier International

  LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage, and hospitality fields. To do this, 2,500 members in 43 chapters worldwide provide leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy within their communities. For more information, visit LDEI.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter @lesdamesintl, and LinkedIn.

   

  About Les Dames d’Escoffier International – San Francisco Chapter

  In 1989, nineteen powerhouse women in the culinary world founded the San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International to bring the mission of LDEI to Northern California. The membership includes restaurateurs, professional chefs, bakers, caterers, cookbook authors, food journalists, farmers, food retailers, event planners, winemakers, wine industry professionals, food publicists, culinary educators, and hospitality executives. More information on the San Francisco chapter of LDEI can be accessed at lesdamessf.org. Follow our chapter activities on Instagram @lesdamessf and Facebook.

   

  Media Contacts:

  Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET

  Communications Committee Chair, Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco Chapter

  kcharles@charlescomm.com

  415-730-0064

   

  Katie Canfield, DipWSET

  Communications Committee, Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco Chapter

  katie@odonnell-lane.com

  530-720-1138

For immediate release

 

Dine, Drink and Discover with Minnesota Les Dames First Online Culinary Silent Auction 

MINNEAPOLIS--The Minnesota chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier’s’ (LDEI) popular culinary silent auction which promises unique dining and drink experiences you won’t find anywhere but here, is going online May 1-13. Funds raised by the auction support local women in the culinary fields through academic scholarships and professional grants, as well as high school youth through Urban Roots, based in St. Paul.

Past Dame It! events have included an inperson sampling of gourmet food and drinks, along with a silent auction, but as the dine-out world has shifted, Dame It! has adapted to provide this robust online experience everyone can participate in.

What’s compelling about this auction is that the majority of items focus on personal experiences provided by Les Dames members as opposed to items you can find elsewhere in stores or the Internet. Among the items to bid on are:

- Dine out with a member of the Star Tribune’s Taste staff at one of its review features;

- A private cooking class for 12 by award-winning cookbook author Amalia Moreno-Damgaard based on her recent travels to Oaxaca, Mexico, and the Guatemalan Mayan highlands;

- Chowgirls Catering founders Heidi Andermack and Amy Brown will guide guests in the Art of the Board, including both the ingredients and the architecture of an artisan grazing board;

-  A 4-hour baking class for two by Kim Ode, a baking instructor who led the Star Tribune’s Baking Central feature for many years,at  Kim’s home in Edina;

- A private, customizable wine tasting for 6 led by wine expert Allison Sheardy at Quincy Street Kitchens in Northeast Minneapolis.

In addition, there are numerous wine experiences with sommeliers, meals prepared in your home by professional chefs, a takeaway lifestyle box from Paris Dining Club, as well as picnic ingredients and cooking accouterments -- all in time for Mother’s Day gifts or the start of summer entertaining.

The auction will go live at 8 a.m.on May 1 and can be accessed at https://us.givergy.com/lesdamesmn/  The last bid will be taken prior to 6 p.m. on May 13, and winners will be notified how to receive their items.

About the Les Dames organization

Minnesota Les Dames d’ Escoffier reflects the wide range of women food professionals in our area including restaurant chefs and owners, food writers, cookbook authors, caterers, food and nutrition consultants, editors, corporate food professionals, wine specialists, food stylists, and marketers. Auction items celebrate the expertise of chapter members and the connections they share within the Twin Cities community.

The chapter, formed in 1996, is an affiliate chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International, composed of more than 2,400 members in 44 chapters in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Mexico and Italy. The group is named after the French chef Auguste Escoffier, one of the most innovative chefs in history.

The website for the local organization is www.lesdamesmn.org.

 

For more information:
Contact:

Nancy Weingartner Monroe

612-840-6659

nancywmonroe@gmail.com

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier Now Accepting New Member Nominations and Applications for 2023-2024 Induction

 

The international organization of women leaders for excellence in the food, fine beverage, and hospitality fields provides leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy within their communities.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, April 3, 2023—The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) is now accepting new membership applications through May 31, 2023, with the aim of furthering its mission to support and nurture the next generation of women leaders in the food, fine beverage, and hospitality industries.

Prospective members may be nominated by existing LDEI-SF chapter members or may self-nominate by applying directly to the organization. Self-nomination was introduced as on option for the new member applications in order to foster a more equitable nomination process and to further the organization’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier strives to propel and support women and diversity in positions of leadership across the many facets of the hospitality industry,” said Frankie Whitman, First Vice President, and Membership Committee Chair, Les Dames d'Escoffier, SF Chapter. “Last year, LDEI-SF inducted ten new members to bring our chapter membership to over 130 strong of accomplished leaders in food, beverage, wine, hospitality, publishing, media, public relations, and agriculture. We are excited to welcome in a new cohort that will continue to propel our organization forward.”

LDEI-SF is especially interested in applications from young, diverse candidates eager to actively contribute their time and talent to grow within the chapter. Active membership includes attending at least two member events per year and participating in the organization as a volunteer, committee member, chair, host of an event, or member of the Board of Directors.

To be considered, members must have at least five years of professional experience as a leader in the food and wine industries and have a commitment to and involvement in community service. Members must also agree to support Les Dames d’Escoffier’s vision, basic values, and philanthropic missions of Scholarship, Business Development for women, and Fellowship.

To apply, applicants must secure a letter of recommendation from a current Dame of the San Francisco Chapter. If the self-nominating applicant who meets the membership criteria does not know a current member, one will be appointed to write a letter of recommendation and later act as their chapter liaison for the first year. For a complete list of requirements and to apply, please review the application page on the LDEI-SF website.

 

Completed applications will be accepted through May 31, 2023. The Membership Committee recommendation and the vote of the Board determine membership acceptance.

For questions regarding nominations or applications, please contact LDEI-SF Membership Chair Frankie Whitman at frankiewhitman@gmail.com. 

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About Les Dames d’Escoffier International

 

LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage, and hospitality fields. To do this, 2,500 members in 43 chapters worldwide provide leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy within their communities. For more information, visit LDEI.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @lesdamesintl and LinkedIn.

 

About Les Dames d’Escoffier International – San Francisco Chapter

 

The San Francisco chapter of LDEI, founded in 1989, provides programs and philanthropy to support its members and nurture the next generation of culinary leaders. More information on the San Francisco chapter of LDEI can be accessed at lesdamessf.org. Follow our chapter activities on Instagram @lesdamessf and on Facebook.

 

 

Media Contacts:

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET

Communications Committee Chair, Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco Chapter

kcharles@charlescomm.com

415-730-0064

 

Katie Canfield, DipWSET

Communications Committee, Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco Chapter

katie@odonnell-lane.com

530-720-1138

 

 

We're excited to share Dames Celia Sack and Tanya Holland in February 2023's issue of Food and Wine! 

Food and Wine Feb 2023

Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco chapter Presents

“New Frontiers in Meat & Dairy: Improving our Food System With Innovative Biotech”

 

The virtual panel celebrates pioneering technologies in fermentation and cultivation for the future of food, part of month-long Table Talks series to help fund philanthropic efforts

 

San Francisco, CA, February 15, 2023—Next month, the San Francisco chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) will host a virtual panel discussion titled New Frontiers in Meat & Dairy: Improving our Food System with Innovative Biotech, led by a visionary panel of female leaders from California-based companies that have pioneered exciting and delicious alternatives to conventional meat and dairy products.

The event will take place Friday, March 10 at 9:00 a.m. -10:30 a.m. PST and forms part of LDEI’s “Table Talks with Les Dames,” a month-long online event series designed to celebrate the community of women in food, beverage, and hospitality. Tickets are $25 and all are welcome to register.

 

Attracting $3.1 billion in funding last year, the alternative protein industry is growing and evolving at an unprecedented rate. The virtual panel discussion, New Frontiers in Meat & Dairy, will present a new take on the future of food through systems and products—such as mycoprotein meat, cream cheese, ice cream, chicken and more—that are kinder to animals, the planet, and human health. Panelists Joanna Bromley, Co-founder and EVP for The Better Meat Co.; Nicki Briggs, VP at Perfect Day; and Amy Chen, COO at UPSIDE Foods will share their goals for making a positive impact on the environment and animal welfare, as well as present innovative new products for restaurant menus and store shelves.

 

“San Francisco and the greater Bay Area are home to many breakthrough food companies who will impact how food professionals and consumers think about, buy, and enjoy food today and in the future,” said LDEI San Francisco Chapter President Pam Mazzola. “We’re excited to spotlight these local companies and their global efforts to improve the culinary ecosystem.”

 

“Table Talks with Les Dames” continues through the month of March, with additional online events including: cooking and baking demonstrations with accomplished chefs, interviews and panel discussions with authors, journalists, chefs, and restaurateurs, food and beverage tastings, and more. The full calendar of events, hosted by LDEI chapters around the world, is available here. A portion of the proceeds generated through this series will support the scholarship and philanthropy programs for each local chapter.

 

About Les Dames d’Escoffier International

LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage and hospitality fields. To do this, 2,500 members in 43 chapters worldwide provide leadership, educational opportunities and philanthropy within their communities. For more information, visitLDEI.org and follow us onFacebook,Instagram @lesdamesintl,LinkedIn andTwitter @lesdamesintl.

 

LDE- SF Chapter

The San Francisco chapter of LDEI, founded in 1989 is dedicated to providing programs and philanthropy to support its members and nurture the next generation of culinary leaders. More information on the San Francisco chapter of LDEI can be accessed atlesdamessf.org. Follow our chapter activities on Facebook andInstagram @lesdamessf.

 

 

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Media Contact: Katie Canfield, DipWSET

Communications Committee Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco Chapter

Phone 530-720-1138

Email katie@odonnell-lane.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

2022 Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship Recipients 

Philanthropic organization of women leaders in food, fine beverage, and hospitality will honor recipients at public fundraising event at Nightbird SF on November 14, 2022.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, November 7, 2022—The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) is delighted to announce that five recipients have been awarded the Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship in 2022. L’Etoile scholarships support outstanding female students and graduates in achieving their professional aspirations as they become the next leaders of the culinary industry. The scholarship and its recipients are a key part of LDEI-SF’s mission of education, advocacy, and philanthropy.

The recipients will be honored during a fundraising reception at Nightbird restaurant in San Francisco on Monday, November 14, 2022 from 5:0-7 PM. The event is open to the public and tickets may be purchased in advance. Nightbird, named to the Top 100 Restaurants by the San Francisco Chronicle in 2019, is owned by James Beard Award-nominated and LDE-SF chapter member Kim Alter, and the event will raise funds for future scholarships.

“It’s our ambition to support and nurture the next generation of leaders in food and beverage through education, advocacy, and philanthropy,” said Scholarship Committee Chair Chantal Martin of LDEI-SF. “The L’Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship empowers future movers and makers in the culinary industry. We’re proud to recognize this year’s recipients and we raise a glass to their continued success.”

The 2022 scholarship winners are all students or recent graduates of accredited culinary programs. Each of them is actively seeking professional experience in various culinary fields, as follows:

●      Savannah Bundy, Laney College Baking & Pastry Program (seeking broadcast food programming or cookbook publishing experience)

●      Jasmine Dillard, Treasure Island Job Corp Culinary Academy (seeking restaurant experience)

●      Kannanuth Lert-ariyaphokhin, City College of San Francisco Culinary Arts Management and Food Service Management Programs (seeking catering business and pastry experience)

●      Silvana Marincola, Laney College Culinary Arts Restaurant Management Program (seeking restaurant and bakery experience)

●      Diana Zalvidar, Laney College Baking & Pastry Program (seeking chocolatier or patisserie experience)

Employers in the culinary industry are encouraged to contact Chantal Martin, Scholarship Committee Chair, with potential opportunities for the recipients at cmartin@peralta.edu.

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About Les Dames d’Escoffier International

LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the food, beverage and hospitality fields. To do this, 2,500 members in 43 chapters worldwide provide leadership, educational opportunities and philanthropy within their communities. For more information, visit LDEI.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram @lesdamesintl, Linked-in and Twitter @lesdamesintl. More information on The San Francisco chapter of LDEI can be accessed at lesdamessf.org. Follow our chapter activities on Instagram @lesdamessf.

Media Contacts

Kimberly Noelle Charles, DipWSET
Communications Committee Chair
415-730-0064
kcharles@charlescomm.com

Chantal Martin
Scholarship Committee Chair
510-710-6730
cmartin@peralta.edu