Scholarships & Bursaries

Many LDEI chapters conduct fundraising projects and awards scholarships at various levels. To date, our chapters around the world have collectively raised and awarded more than $4,000,000 in culinary scholarships to deserving students.

Many of our scholarship recipients have gone on to illustrious careers in the food, wine and hospitality industry:

Amanda Hesser, food writer, New York Times:
"Les Dames d'Escoffier gave me a chance to take my interest in food and find my way to a career that suited me. With their support, I worked in Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France, and eventually went to cooking school. By the time my scholarship ended, I had found my place. I was writing."

Sara Moulton, Host, Food Network's "Cooking Live"
"LDE provides critical career boosts and opportunities for young people who may not otherwise pursue a career that is inherently demanding."

To Apply for a LDEI Scholarship 

Scholarships are awarded by individual Chapters of LDEI. Chapters select scholars (or other charitable recipients) and participating higher education institutions for the culinary arts via their own criteria. Not all chapters provide scholarships.  No scholarships are available from the international organization (LDEI), only from the local chapters.

If you are interested in applying for a scholarship through one of our Chapters, click here for the list of chapter contacts for scholarships.Please keep in mind that not all chapters provide scholarships and that most of our Chapters offer scholarships on a geographic basis. It is possible that your inquiry may not fall into the jurisdiction of one of our Chapters.  

October 2012

Les Dames d'Escoffier London announces the winners of the first bursary: The Kate Ray Memorial Bursary for Patisserie.  A 1-week stage with William Curley, renowned chocolatier, was won by Jess Courtis and the one week stage with Alain Roux of the Waterside Inn at Bray was recently completed by Hannah Cameron.

A 1-week stage with Richard Bertinet, noted baker and patissier, is yet to be awarded and we are currently accepting applications from final-year culinary students, or apprentices with a passion for patisserie. 

Travel and accommodation expenses for the candidates are covered.

If you are interested in applying for this bursary from Les Dames d’Escoffier London, please get in touch with Sue Carter at suecarter.55@btinternet.com.