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Les Dames d'Escoffier San Francisco Chapter (LDEI-SF) is a chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, an international organization of women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage, and hospitality whose mission is education, advocacy, and philanthropy. Through events, programs and philanthropy, LDEI-SF supports and nurtures the next generation of women industry leaders. Our membership includes restaurateurs, professional chefs, bakers, caterers, cookbook authors, food journalists, farmers, food retailers, event planners, wine makers and wine industry professionals, food publicists, culinary educators, and hospitality executives.

The mission of the LDEI-SF Female Entrepreneur Grant and Mentorship 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.

The 2023 Female Business Grant and Mentorship Applications are now closed!

Thank you so much to all of our applicants! 

Eligibility Requirements:

This grant of $5,000 cash plus one year of mentoring meetings is open to business owners who identify as women, who are not members of Les Dames d’Escoffier, and who meet the following requirements:

  • Business must have been in operation since January 1, 2022.
  • Business must be female-owned and located in, or primarily serving, the San Francisco Bay Area.
  • Business must have less than $1M in annual revenue.
  • Applicants must provide a profit and loss statement for 2022 and another for 2023 YTD.
  • Applicants must, either in an essay (500 word maximum) or a video (5 minute maximum), state who they are, what their business provides, and what they would use the money for if their application is selected.


Congratulations to our 2023 Female Business Grant and Mentorship Winners!



Stephanie de la Cruz is a self-taught ice cream maker. She started making ice cream from her home in Oakland and developed her recipes from scratch, inspired by her Mexican roots. After sharing batches of horchata ice cream to her friends and family, she knew she had something that needed to be shared with the larger community. Her love for ice cream and passion for her culture has been her motivation. De La Creamery is named after her family’s last name De La Cruz.




Socola Chocolatier is an award-winning chocolate company that creates artisanal handcrafted chocolates and confections inspired by the diverse flavors of Vietnam. Co-founded by Wendy and her sister, Susan Lieu, Socola has always been a family endeavor. Wendy always had a passion for chocolate and was dreaming up (and cooking up) her own truffle recipes when she was a teenager. Susan is a perfect counterpart to Wendy, because her talent and acumen was in business and marketing. Susan was always finding and creating ways for more and more people to learn about and experience Socola!

During the early days, Wendy and Susan couldn't envision what Socola has become. The two sisters started off this business by selling directly to family and friends, setting up in front of their parents' nail salon during the Santa Rosa's Downtown Market in the summertime. Today, Socola is a vibrant business with an amazing team of staff members who work together to create the most stunning chocolates at our brick-and-mortar shop in the middle of San Francisco!


Thank you so much to our sponsor!



Les Dames d' Escoffier Int'l-San Francisco
lesdamessf@gmail.com


Les Dames d’Escoffier International, San Francisco Chapter, is a 501 (c)(3) (EIN 20-5341764) Your contribution is tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

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