Les Dames d’Escoffier is the only organization of its kind: a world wide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality. The membership, composed of 36 individual chapters across the United States, Canada the United Kingdom and Mexico, is highly diversified and reflects the multifaceted fields of contemporary gastronomy and hospitality.
MISSION
LES DAMES D'ESCOFFIER (LDEI) is an organization of women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality whose mission is education and philanthropy.
VISION
LDEI is the premier organization of influential professional women who are committed to the advancement of education and philanthropy in food, beverage and hospitality for the good of the global community.
HISTORY
LDEI was founded in New York in 1976 by Carol Brock, a food reporter for the New York Daily News. At the time there were few opportunities for women in the culinary arts and there were no prominent women chefs or sommeliers. Brock saw a need to create an organization of professional leading women in the industry who would serve as role models and mentors to others. From its inception, it has been a philanthropic organization that has provided education, networking opportunities and scholarship support.
LES DAMES D'ESCOFFIER:
NORTH CAROLINA CHAPTER
Les Dames d’Escoffier North Carolina is a non-profit organization, made up of female leaders in the food, beverage and hospitality industries, with a mission to give back to their community through education, advocacy and supporting mission-related projects. The NC chapter also participates in a nation-wide LDEI initiative, Green Tables, focused on helping consumers of all ages better understand the link between agriculture and eating.
LDEI
Visit the Les Dames d'Escoffier International website to learn more about the organization.