FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International Awards
Briana James
the 2024 Karola Saekel Craib Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship
SAN FRANCISCO, CA, October 14, 2024—The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) is pleased to announce Briana James as the 2024 recipient of the Karola Saekel Craib Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship. This philanthropic organization of women leaders in food, fine beverage, and hospitalityawards 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.
James comes from a long line of storytellers: musicians, preachers, visual artists, singers, academics, and orators. Her writing is grounded by ideas of humanity, interrogation reflection and authenticity. Her work has appeared in Eater, Edible East Bay, The New York Times, and more. In addition to writing, she is also an illustrator with a bold and colorful style. Read more at https://brijames.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, Immediate Past President of LDEI-SF. “Our membership is proud to recognize Briana 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 five 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, and LinkedIn. 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
Olga Katsnelson
Chapter Communications Chair
olga@postcardpr.com
917-698-3192
