Open Call for BC Women to Apply for Food & Beverage Scholarships
Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter Applications Now Open Until February 13, 2023
Effective immediately online applications are open to those who identify as women in BC, to obtain scholarships to further their careers in culinary, beverage, agriculture, aquaculture and other hospitality fields.
The link is live now here, and the BC chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier has up to $20,000 to award this year.
Eligibility
Scholarships are open to women* of any age and 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. Scholarships are awarded on merit, ability, commitment, and passion. Applicants can be awarded a scholarship more than once, depending on the circumstance, and if a woman’s previous application was unsuccessful, she is encouraged to apply again between now and February 13, 2023.
The link to application is here https://www.lesdames.ca/scholarship-program/scholarship-application/.
30 Years of Philanthropy
Founded in 1992, Les Dames d’Escoffier’s BC Chapter has awarded scholarships for 30 years. Despite limited fundraising opportunities in 2021 and 2022, the chapter continues its commitment to support women who wish to further their careers with educational opportunities.
This year’s scholarships are particularly meaningful, given the extended impact of COVID-19 on BC’s foodservice industry. Scholarships allow women to gain a competitive edge by furthering their education, and enabling them to pivot to other sectors of the hospitality industry as necessary to survive and thrive in these challenging times.
Scholarship Success
Take the story of Mandy Newcomb, chef instructor and coordinator for the Culinary Arts Program at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, who was the recipient of the 2022 Service Excellence Scholarship “In Honour of Tina Fineza”, a Vancouver chef who lost her battle with breast cancer in 2016.
This scholarship is co-sponsored by Two Rivers Specialty Meats and Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter, to provide a unique opportunity to learn more about sourcing local, sustainable ingredients and the humane treatment of animals.
Newcomb toured North Arm Farm, Kuurne Farms and Two Rivers Specialty Meats in 2022 as part of the program noting, “The opportunity to experience first hand the full circle process of supplying food from farm to fork was incredible. I was inspired to include creative ways to forage and support local ingredients in my curriculum, and am very excited to share this new knowledge and experience with my students. I am also especially grateful for the valuable new connections that I gained through this scholarship and commend Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter for providing these diverse opportunities to women of all ages, backgrounds, levels and fields of experience.”
Important Details
The deadline for applications is February 13, 2023.
• Applicants must be BC residents
• Applications are available online at www.lesdames.ca/scholarship-program/scholarship-application/. • Applications are reviewed and evaluated by the Scholarship Committee comprised of Les Dames members. • Successful applicants will be announced in March 2023.
Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) is an international organization of women* leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality.
The organization’s 2,400 members in 44 chapters in the US, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Italy provide leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy. LDEI chapters raised and donated more than $525,000 to community non-profits, philanthropic organizations and individuals in 2021.
To learn more about Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter and its scholarship application process: www.lesdames.ca * Identifies as a woman and/or non-binary
Press release and image provided by Katharine Manson, KMComms
