Named after legendary French chef, Les Dames d’Escoffier BC chapter announces scholarships for women in food, wine, hospitality
The international organization’s local branch has $50,000 to help women train, study, and pivot
Mireille Sauvé, who was 17 when she received a scholarship from Les Dames d’Escoffier BC chapter in 1996, was certified as Canada’s Youngest Sommelier and is now one of the country’s leading authorities on wine.
AUGUSTE ESCOFFIER’S NAME is synonymous with classical French cuisine, the chef born in 1834 having invented the five French mother sauces, introduced à la carte dining, and augmented the prestige of French food and cooking around the globe. Known as “the king of chefs and the chef of kings”, he directed the kitchens of the Savoy and Carlton Hotels, favoured the use of seasonal ingredients, and developed culinary techniques and systems to streamline professional kitchens that are in use all over the world.
Les Dames d’Escoffier International is a membership-based organization with a mandate to inspire, advance, and support women in the food, beverage, and hospitality sectors.
Every year, Les Dames d’Escoffier – BC Chapter raises funds for scholarships to help women advance their careers. It’s the most generous culinary-scholarship program for women in the country.
This year, it has $50,000 to offer, with scholarships open to any woman or person who identifies as female of any age at any stage of their career who are looking to either refine or expand their expertise at a credible educational institution of their choice anywhere in the world.
“It is hard for me to imagine being where I am in my career today without the tremendous support that I received through Les Dames d’Escoffier’s scholarship program in 1996,” says Mireille Sauvé, who was 17 when she received a scholarship and who runs a consultancy firm called the Wine Umbrella. “My scholarship allowed me to become certified as Canada’s Youngest Sommelier, leading to an international internship as a winemaker and, ultimately, to the fulfilling career that I enjoy in the wine industry, some 24 years later. Les Dames gave me a step up when I needed it.”
Past president of the BC chapter, Sauvé created Les Dames Wine, a fundraiser in support of the scholarship program
This year’s scholarships are particularly significant, with nearly half of BC’s foodservice establishments losing money due to the impact of COVID-19, The scholarships would allow women to gain a competitive edge by furthering their education and enabling them to pivot within the hospitality industry if need be. Scholarships are awarded on merit, ability, commitment and passion.
This year, the organization is funding scholarships to Barry Callebaut’s Chocolate Academy, Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver, and Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts.
The application deadline is January 31. See here for more information.
Auguste Escoffier.
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