Our Mission
We are a philanthropic nonprofit organization of women leaders in North Carolina’s food, beverage, and hospitality industries. Through grants, service, and community partnerships, we support initiatives that feed our communities and empower the next generation of women in our industries to grow, lead, and thrive.
Our Vision
To lift up this, and the next, generation of women leaders in North Carolina’s food, beverage, and hospitality industries and build thriving, nourished communities.
Les Dames d’Escoffier, NC Chapter is one of 44 Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) chapters, which include 2,400 members in the US, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy.
The North Carolina chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International is a diverse, growing community of influential women leaders in food, beverage, and hospitality. Our members bring exceptional talent, deep experience, and a shared commitment to supporting and uplifting one another.
We represent every region of North Carolina and span all stages of our careers, united by a passion for our craft. Our membership includes chefs, sommeliers, bakers, restaurant owners, farmers, educators, dietitians, food producers, marketers, publicists, and food writers—each contributing to a dynamic and collaborative network.
History
The organization is named after Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935) from France who is known as “The Chef of Kings” and the “The King of Chefs”. He is recognized as the most innovative chef in history, one whose philosophy, accomplishments, and philanthropic deeds serve as inspiration to culinary professionals today.
Les Dames d’Escoffier International, the first organization for professional culinary women, was created in 1976 by Carol Brock, a Sunday food editor at the New York Daily News. Inspired by the Boston group Les Dames des Amis d’Escoffier, a dining and philanthropic society formed in 1959, her goal was to raise the image and presence of women in food, wine, and hospitality industries.