Scholarships & Entrepreneur Grants
Les Dames d’Escoffier Philadelphia is dedicated to promoting and supporting women in the food, fine beverage and hospitality fields. Through scholarships, grants and mentoring, we encourage future female leaders in our industry to excel.
Les Dames D’Escoffier Philadelphia Chapter Awards Maria Williams the 2024 Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students
"This (award) gave me financial support, but almost more important was knowing that someone believed in me.” —Maria Williams
Maria Williams, a single mom who also cares for a family member with medical issues, was awarded the Les Dames D’Escoffier Philadelphia 2024 Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students. The scholarship committee chose Maria’s application from a pool of exceptional young women to honor the fact that while meeting the demands of her family, Maria continued her Associate's Degree at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College without interruption.
"This (award) gave me financial support, but almost more important was knowing that someone believed in me,” says Williams. “I knew I wanted a career in food because it brings people together and I see it in my program.”
Maria’s goal is to open a non-profit restaurant to serve the less fortunate. And, as an older returning student, Williams finds her younger classmates have opened her eyes to new ways of thinking and innovative ideas. "The foundational cooking classes for management track have not only been challenging and fun,” says Williams. “My family finds the meals I now cook at home are a happy side benefit of my studies.”
The program at Walnut Hill College features fundamentals in the backend of restaurant operations from cutting food costs and waste to understanding the many roles in staffing a kitchen.
Grace Choi: Many Paths Led Her to the Study of Nutrition
“The scholarship allowed me the freedom to explore.” —Grace Choi
Grace Choi’s journey into the field of nutrition wasn’t a straight line — and that’s exactly what makes it so compelling. “Being able to follow my interests allowed me to see connections between cultures and nutrition,” she says.
Grace, a former anthropology major, shifted paths during the pandemic when she returned home from school and found herself exploring new academic directions. “I became interested in nutrition and saw how culture can be an influence,” she explains.
Her professors at Penn played a key role in her decision to pursue a fast-track MS in Nutrition Science following her undergraduate degree. She gained hands-on experience in research, studying everything from GLP-1 drugs to cancer treatments. “It sparked my interest in academia and science.”
But some of the most meaningful lessons began at home, in the kitchen with her mother. “Making kimchi was more than just preparing a condiment,” Grace shares. “I had time to immerse myself in our Korean culture. My mom taught me about fermented foods, spices, and cooking techniques. I saw how important family meals are in healthy eating.”
This personal connection inspired Grace to examine the food choices college students make. She found that schedules, location, and availability often create barriers to healthy eating. That discovery led her deeper into research, where she took on a role as a research coordinator.
“I’m very excited about a paper that’s soon to be published,” she says. “Working with the team gave me new skills and a deeper appreciation for academic research — not just clinical work. I’m blessed that this field offers so many routes, from scientific research to patient care to corporate roles.”
As Grace looks to the future, she remains grounded in her passion: nutrition at the intersection of culture, science, and real-life choices.
Scholarship
To encourage talented women to further their culinary and hospitality careers, we are pleased to offer two $3000 academic (student) scholarships to be awarded to women in the Philadelphia area pursuing careers in the food, beverage or hospitality fields. These scholarships are also open to female students pursuing careers in food or food-related disciplines such as nutrition and food studies. One scholarship is targeted to students currently enrolled in or planning to enroll in a culinary school or food-related college program and one to women who are either first-generation college attendees, attending college or culinary school as a returning or older student, or entering college or culinary school as a second career.
Please fill out the application here.
The application deadline is November 17, 2024. Scholarships will be awarded in December 2024.
Please contact Dame Janet Chrzan at jchrzan@upenn.edu if you have any questions about the LDEI Philadelphia scholarships.
Entrepreneurship
THE 2025 APPLICATION PERIOD IS CLOSED
Les Dames d‘Escoffier Philadelphia announces two (2) Business Development Grants totaling $10,000 available to women in the Greater Philadelphia Area.
The Startup Grant awards $2500 for the development of a new business plan and costs related to new business development. Grant money can be used for business expenses such as obtaining a tax ID, registering as a legal entity, website development, and other related costs.
The Development Grant awards $7500 to expand, add value and/or services, or improve an established (one-year-plus) food, beverage or hospitality-focused business.
Each grant also includes 25 hours of mentoring from LDEI members with experience related to the recipient’s business goals and a one-year provisional membership to the LDEI Philadelphia Chapter.