Author Archives: Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco

Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s San Francisco Chapter Celebrates 2024 Award Winners at Annual Awards Reception

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., May 5, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) hosted its Annual Awards Celebration on Monday, April 28, 2025, at The Civic Kitchen Cooking School. Guests gathered to honor five exceptional women in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, each recognized for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the culinary world.

Photo caption: Three of five 2024 Award Recipients: L to R – Natasha House, Ruby Pokras, Eleana Hsu, Dame Chantal Martin.

The evening was filled with lively conversation and a vibrant, market-fresh menu generously provided by Market Hall Caterers. The event included a raffle benefiting the Chapter’s philanthropic programs, with prizes including SFMOMA tickets, specialty spice sets, Fairytale Brownies, and cookbooks authored by Dames Andrea Nguyen and Tanya Holland.

Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s core mission is to inspire, advance, and support women in these industries to achieve leadership and excellence. The San Francisco Chapter furthers this mission through three signature programs: the L’Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship (now accepting applications for the 2025 awards through May 9, 2025), the Karola Saekel Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship, and the Female Entrepreneur Grant & Mentorship.

THE 2024 AWARD RECIPIENTS INCLUDED:

Natasha House, L’Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship—A student at City College of San Francisco and entrepreneur behind her own thriving personal-chef business, Natasha was honored for her passion for culinary arts and commitment to pursuing professional excellence.
Ruby Pokras, L’Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship—Having completed the two-year program at Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, Ruby now resides in Berkeley and is pursuing her four-year degree at Arizona State University.
Briana James, Karola Saekel Craib Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship—A talented writer and illustrator, Briana serves as Assistant Editor at Clarkson Potter. Her insightful food writing, often featured in Edible East Bay and Eater, showcases her vibrant voice and creative vision.
Eleana Hsu, Female Entrepreneur Grant & Mentorship—Founder of Shared Cultures, Eleana was recognized for her innovative work producing modern fermented foods using koji and for fostering sustainable food practices in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Wafa Bahloul, Female Entrepreneur Grant & Mentorship—Chef-owner of Kayma Algerian Eatery, Wafa was honored for her culinary excellence and her celebrated Algerian sweets, bringing a unique and authentic taste of Algeria to the local dining scene.

“The caliber of this year’s winners is truly inspiring,” said Mary Gassen, chair of the Female Entrepreneur Grant & Mentorship Committee for LDEI-SF. “Each of these women embodies the spirit of innovation, leadership, and excellence that we seek to champion—here in the Bay Area, and as part of a broader movement to support and advance women across the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.”

LDEI-SF thanks its sponsors, members, and attendees for their continued support of the Chapter’s mission.

Donations are welcome to help fund the 2025 awards and support the next generation of women leaders. For more information, visit our website: https://lesdamessf.org/donate.

Applications are open to become a member of LDEI-SF through May 31, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit: https://lesdamessf.org/Become-a-Dame.

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 Contact:
Katie Canfield, DipWSET
Communications Committee, Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco Chapter
katie@odonnell-lane.com
530-720-1138

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UPDATED 5.6.25 4:15 p.m. PDT to correct two inadvertent typos in the text.

NEWS SOURCE: Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco

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

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- 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.

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 https://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.

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.

Related link: https://lesdamessf.org/

San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier Welcomes 2023-2024 Cohort

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) will induct 18 members from the 2023-2024 nomination period, bringing total membership for the chapter to nearly 150. The inductees come from a broad range of professions including chefs, winemakers, wine writers, educators, publicists, and photographers, adding depth and breadth to the organization's demographics and strengthening its foundation of leadership, education, and philanthropy for future generations of women in the food, fine beverage, and hospitality industries.

Prospective members are nominated by existing LDEI-SF chapter members or through a self-nomination process, whereby candidates may apply directly to the organization. To be considered, members must have at least five years of professional experience in their field and be committed to and involved in community service.

"We continue to see positive impact from the self-nomination option since its introduction last year; we are thrilled to see our thriving membership diversify and expand with this more equitable process," said Pamela Mazzola, President of LDEI-SF. "A warm welcome to our new Dames-individuals who already made significant contributions to their respective communities and industries and will bring tremendous talent and insights to our organization."

Dames of the LDEI-SF uphold the Les Dames d'Escoffier's mission, vision, and fundamental values through sharing knowledge, cultivating and celebrating professional diversity within the membership, and providing leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropic events for the community at large.

The 18 new members, who will be inducted at a private chapter event in the Bay Area in September 2023, include:

* Adahalia Cole, Food and Beverage Photographer and Food Writer, Adahalia Cole Photography

* Alison Negrin, Professional Chef and Chef Consultant, Chefs for Seniors

* Andrea Lawson Gray, Founder, Private Chefs of the SF Bay Area and Executive Chef, Tres Señoritas Gourmet

* Carissa Crader, Executive Chef/Culinary Operations, Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa

* Christine Farren, Executive Director, Foodwise Community

* Elizabeth Binder, Executive Chef, Hand-Crafted Catering

* Emily Hansen, Chef Emily Hansen, Private Chef

* Iris Rowlee, Beverage Director, Octavia and Frances Restaurants

* Jodi Liano, Founder, San Francisco Cooking School

* Juliana Colangelo, Vice President, Colangelo & Partners

* Karen MacNeil, President, Karen MacNeil & Company, Author of The Wine Bible

* Kristen Loken, Photographer and Author, Food People (Are the Best People)

* Laurie Mackenzie, Chef Instructor, City College of San Francisco

* Lee Ann Frahm Izzo, Director of Recruitment and Training, Hi Neighbor Hospitality Group

* Maria Hunt, Freelance Journalist, Author, Senior Copywriter, MH Media

* Meghan Zobeck, Winemaker and Winemaker/Owner, Burgess Cellars and M Zobeck Wines

* Melissa Smith, Founder, Enotrias and Former Pastry Chef, Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant

* Theodora Lee, Owner/Vintner of Theopolis Vineyards

These inductees join a distinguished membership of women leaders that reflects the multifaceted fields of contemporary gastronomy and hospitality.

For questions regarding membership, please get in touch with LDEI-SF Membership Chair Frankie Whitman at frankiewhitman@gmail.com.

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 https://lesdamessf.org/.

Follow our chapter activities on Instagram @lesdamessf and Facebook.

The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) will induct 18 members from the 2023-2024 nomination period, bringing total membership for the chapter to nearly 150. The inductees come from a broad range of professions including chefs, winemakers, wine writers, educators, publicists, and photographers, adding depth and breadth to the organization's demographics and strengthening its foundation.

Related link: https://lesdamessf.org/

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

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- 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.

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.

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.

Related link: https://lesdamessf.org/

Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco chapter Presents ‘New Frontiers in Meat and Dairy: Improving our Food System With Innovative Biotech’

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- 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 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 at: https://lesdamessf.org/event-5137891

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 - https://www.tabletalkslesdames.com/

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, visit https://ldei.org/ and follow us on Facebook, Instagram @lesdamesintl, LinkedIn and Twitter @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 at https://lesdamessf.org/. Follow our chapter activities on Facebook and Instagram @lesdamessf.

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.

Related link: https://lesdamessf.org/

San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier Announces 2022 Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship Recipients

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- 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 5:00-7:30 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 LDEI-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.

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 https://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 https://lesdamessf.org/. Follow our chapter activities on Instagram @lesdamessf.

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.

Related link: https://lesdamessf.org/