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Etoile d'Escoffier Culinary Scholarship

Les Dames d’Escoffier San Francisco Chapter is a chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDEI), 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, the San Francisco chapter of LDEI 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, winemakers, wine industry professionals, food publicists, culinary educators, and hospitality executives. The scholarship, created in 2019, supports outstanding female students and recent graduates to achieve their professional aspirations and become the next leaders of our industry.

Scholarship money to be used for: tuition, registration fees, books, uniform, tools, housing, transportation expenses, or any other education or work-related expenses.

Donate to the Scholarship

The 2024 Etoile d'Escoffier Scholarship is Open!

Apply Here

Applications are open from March 1st, 2024 - April 15th, 2024!


Two Awards of:

$2,500 (non-renewable for a maximum of two years)

Personalized Les Dames d’Escoffier Mentorship


Eligibility Requirements: the scholarship is open to female and nonbinary applicants who meet the following requirements:

1. High school or GED graduate.

2. Planning to attend, or are enrolled in, an educational program targeted to a degree or certificate from a college, culinary school or vocational program. The area of study must relate to and support the recipients’ culinary career goals.

3. Demonstrate a focus on and a passion to achieve their career goals, and accept LDEISF mentorship to further those goals.

Applications are due by April 15th, 2024

Questions? Please email Dame Chantal Martin, Scholarship Committee Chair at cmartin@peralta.edu. 

Applicants will be evaluated on a 100-point scale based upon the criteria listed below. Only completed and signed applications will be considered.

Academic Grade Point Average or Resume (20 points possible). Points are earned based on the applicant’s cumulative GPA (or equivalent). Most recent unofficial transcripts accepted, subject to verification. For applicants seeking funding for continuing education, please provide resume.

Essay Questions (50 points possible). Complete each essay question with a written or video response. A maximum of 500 words per essay or 5 minutes per video is allowed.

Letters of Recommendation (30 points possible). Submit two letters of recommendation from industry, culinary professional, volunteer organization, and/or culinary educators. Family members are ineligible.



2022 Recipients

Diana Zaldivar
Diana graduated from the Laney College Baking & Pastry program this past May. In fall, she will start the Culinary Arts Restaurant Management program. Diana has worked at local bakeries and chocolateries. This summer she toured Mexico, where she visited artisanal chocolate makers, bakers, and cooks to learn the traditional and venerated production techniques. Her goal is to be a master pastry chef and chocolatier.

Silvana Marincola
Silvana is a student in the Laney College Culinary Arts Restaurant Management program. She formerly owned and operated her own bakery and restaurant in Olinda, Brazil. Silvana’s goal is to complete her education and establish a similar establishment here in the Bay Area.

Savannah Bundy
Savannah is currently enrolled in the Laney College Baking & Pastry program. During her studies, she has become increasingly interested in the relationship between food and health. Savannah’s goal is to graduate with two Associates of Science degrees and transfer to a 4-year college to pursue her bachelor’s degree.

Jasmine Dillard
Jasmine has been enrolled in the Treasure Island Job Corps Culinary Academy for the past two years. Her goal is to become a highly renown chef. Jasmine would like to be someone memorable like Gordon Ramsey.

Kannanuth Lert-ariyaphokhin
Kannanuth is a student in the City College of San Francisco Culinary Arts Management and Food Service Management programs. She has interned at Greens Restaurant. Kannanuth’s goal is to be the Chef/Owner of her own catering business.

2019 Recipient

Bee Marrone
Bee cooked her first recipe at the age of six: spicy yellow curry. Life after was quite simply never the same. Eschewing the traditional path laid before her, Bee moved from Thailand to England, opening an eclectic British cafĂ©: English breakfast in the morning and Thai/Chinese fare at lunch. Ten years later, she moved to California. Always a community champion, Bee immediately began volunteering at her local church and feeding the homeless. Expert in Thai cuisine, Bee decided to expand her culinary repertoire and enrolled in the Laney College Restaurant Management Program. While working and volunteering full-time, Bee completed the program graduating at the top of her class. Bee’s goal is to be a chef at a high-end restaurant, working with a team that focuses on creative presentation, unique flavors, and “thematic catering.”

Donate to the Scholarship


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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