Les Dames d’Escoffier International Celebrates Culinary Leaders in San Francisco
San Francisco, Calif., May 5, 2025 — The San Francisco Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI-SF) held its Annual Awards Celebration on April 28, 2025, at The Civic Kitchen Cooking School. This event aimed to honor five remarkable women whose contributions significantly impact the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.
Event Highlights
The evening featured a delightful menu curated by Market Hall Caterers, complemented by engaging conversations among attendees. A raffle was organized to support the chapter’s philanthropic initiatives, with prizes including tickets to SFMOMA, specialty spice sets, and cookbooks by award-winning authors Andrea Nguyen and Tanya Holland.
A Commitment to Empowering Women
Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s core mission is to inspire and support women leaders in food and hospitality. The San Francisco Chapter furthers this vision through signature programs, including:
- L’Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship: Open for applications until May 9, 2025.
- Karola Saekel Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship.
- Female Entrepreneur Grant & Mentorship.
Recognizing Excellence: 2024 Award Recipients
The following women were honored for their outstanding achievements:
- Natasha House: Awarded the L’Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship, Natasha is a student at City College of San Francisco and runs a successful personal-chef business.
- Ruby Pokras: Another recipient of the L’Etoile d’Escoffier Culinary Scholarship, Ruby recently graduated from the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone and is now pursuing a four-year degree at Arizona State University.
- Briana James: Honored with the Karola Saekel Excellence in Food Journalism Fellowship, Briana serves as Assistant Editor at Clarkson Potter, contributing to publications such as Edible East Bay and Eater.
- Eleana Hsu: Recognized through the Female Entrepreneur Grant & Mentorship for her innovative work at Shared Cultures, focusing on modern fermented foods using koji.
- Wafa Bahloul: Chef-owner of Kayma Algerian Eatery, Wafa was celebrated for her culinary excellence, particularly her authentic Algerian sweets.
A Message of Inspiration
Mary Gassen, chair of the Female Entrepreneur Grant & Mentorship Committee for LDEI-SF, remarked, “The caliber of this year’s winners is truly inspiring. Each of these women embodies the spirit of innovation, leadership, and excellence that we seek to champion—both locally and as part of a broader movement to support women in our industries.”
Supporting the Next Generation
LDEI-SF extends gratitude to its sponsors, members, and attendees for their commitment to the chapter’s mission. Donations are currently being accepted to fund the 2025 awards and to further support emerging women leaders in the culinary world. For further information, visit this page.
Membership Opportunities
Applications for membership to LDEI-SF are open until May 31, 2025. Interested individuals can find more information and apply at here.
About Les Dames d’Escoffier International
LDEI is an esteemed global organization dedicated to uplifting women leaders in the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors. With 2,500 members across 43 chapters worldwide, LDEI provides leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropic support within local communities. More information can be found at LDEI.org, and you can follow them on social media at @lesdamesintl.
Contact Information
For further inquiries, please contact:
Katie Canfield, DipWSET
Communications Committee, Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco Chapter
ka***@***********ne.com
530-720-1138
