Over $75,000 Goes To 20 Future Culinary Leaders: Since Inception, Over $2 Million Has Been Awarded
Les Dames d’Escoffier New York (LDNY), the nonprofit educational, scholarship, and advocacy organization serving women in the culinary, beverage and hospitality industries, awarded 20 meaningful scholarships to recipients enrolled in accredited culinary and pastry arts, nutrition, food science, hospitality, and wine and spirits/fine beverage programs in New York and New Jersey.
The students were recognized and celebrated for their current achievements and promising futures at the annual LDNY Scholarship Awards held in Manhattan at the Barry Callebaut Chocolate Academy New York catered by Dame Tara Khattar of Maison Tara New York with libations from Ruffino Estates.
“This year’s recipients have shown exceptional academic achievements, clear career aspirations, and a dedication to uplifting others. LDNY is committed to providing them with mentorship, ongoing guidance and networking opportunities,” explained Barbara Sibley, President of LDNY.
Since its inception in 1977, LDNY has awarded more than two million dollars to over 1,000 recipients.
In her keynote address, Wanda Mann, Founder of Wine with Wanda, and Past President, LDNY, reflected on the impact of scholarships, “LDNY’s scholarship program shows how leveraging our collective positions and resources empowers the next generation of women leaders in our industries. Scholarships provide vital financial support and affirmation of the recipients’ talent and potential; they are a powerful motivator.
However, the scholarship mission is also deeply personal to me. I attended boarding school and college and studied abroad on scholarships, which changed the trajectory of my life,” said Wanda Mann.
She added, “What are some of the lessons I’ve learned along the way that may help you? Here are my five tips.
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1 – If you wait to be perfect, you’ll never get anything done.
I first heard those words stated by award-winning television journalist Cynthia McFadden about 25 years ago at an event I attended. I have no recollection of the event or who hosted it, but her words have always stayed with me. Some years later, I had a boss, a brilliant woman with a Ph.D. in Education, who always said, “Done is better than perfect.”
Clearly, these two successful women were on to something. It’s not an excuse to be lazy or sloppy. Planning is helpful and essential, but sometimes, we plan to the point of inaction. It’s a way to delay doing something. Put yourself out there.
2 – Say yes to things that scare you.
I know too many people who have said no to promotions and other opportunities because they were afraid of failure. Sometimes, we are our own worst critics.
I sincerely believe that sometimes other people see talents and capabilities in us that we don’t see in ourselves. If your no is fueled exclusively by fear of failure, it’s usually a sign to say yes.
3 – But don’t ignore the power of no.
Sometimes, bad opportunities come wrapped in glitter. Get past the frou-frou and say no to anything that compromises your core values or veers too far from the brand you’ve created.
Ask yourself: Do I feel respected? Is this request moving my goals forward or supporting my passions? Or is it purely a transactional request where only the other party benefits? If something doesn’t feel right, remember no is a complete sentence. No.
4 – Don’t Neglect Building a Life to Build a Brand.
We live in a world where we’re expected to be on and accessible 24/7. We’re told to hustle, hustle, hustle. Trust me, I’m all about being out there and networking, but when I look at my calendar and only see back-to-back meetings and work commitments day after day, I feel that I’ve failed myself.
For your mental and physical health, sometimes you must slow the hustle and be still. Make it a priority to do things that feed your soul and connect with friends and loved ones. And let’s put down our phones once in a while! Be in the moment. You don’t need to share every aspect of your life on social media.
5 – The Personal Touch.
The power of thank you, nice to meet you, and really listening to someone. Networking is not just about what someone else can do for you. It’s about building relationships. So, I have a challenge. I want each of you to leave here today with at least two business cards and send a follow-up email in the next week.
In that email, you will address them by their name, reference something you discussed, or if all else fails, mention the wacky lady that gave the keynote. The point is to get the conversation started and to start building a network. And part of that personal touch is building a bigger table.
No matter where we are in life, we each have the ability to make a difference in someone else’s life. Who will you help? The initiative each of you took to apply for the LDNY scholarship already shows that you understand the importance of seizing opportunities and writing your own story.
The journey ahead will not always be easy, and triumphs are sometimes followed by setbacks. And that’s okay—that’s life. You have what it takes to forge ahead—talent and tenacity. And setbacks are not the end of the road; they are lessons that will carry you towards success. And surround yourself with positive people.
Look around. You have a room full of people who believe in you. Carry this energy with you and summon this feeling of support and encouragement on those tough days. The LDNY scholarship affirms your talent and potential and forever connects you to this group. Call on the Dames; we’ll be there.”
Over $75,000 was awarded to the 20 students attending Cornell University, Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), International Wine Center (IWC) Kingsborough Community College, Montclair State University, New York City College of Technology, New York University and Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP).
Beam Suntory, Chefs de Cuisine Association of America, Margaret Happel Perry, and fundraising from the LDNY cookbook, Stirring the Pot made several scholarships possible.
LDNY 2024 Scholarship Recipients
Emma Perez of the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) was awarded the 2024 L’Etoile Scholarship, valued at $20,000, which is given to a student destined to be a star in the culinary world. She was recognized for her scholastic excellence, sense of purpose, and deep appreciation of the value of mentorship.
Emma is a business major whose goal is to own her own restaurant that provides a good work environment for her employees, uses local resources and is sustainable and in particular reduces waste.
Paris Ahmad, Cornell University, The Cornell University Scholarship, $4,000
Oumou Barry, High School of Hospitality Management Graduate, The LDNY C-CAP Scholarship, $1,500
Nicole Beamon, Cornell University, The Beam Suntory Spirits Scholarship, $3,000
Arianna Betancourt, New York City College of Technology, The City Tech Hospitality Scholarship, $3,000
Preeti Birla, International Wine Center, International Wine Center Scholarship, $2,208
Catarina Carneiro, Montclair State University, The Montclair Nutrition Scholarship, $3,000
Elizabeth Eckert, Institute of Culinary Education, The LDNY/Institute of Culinary Education Scholarship, $1,000
Emma Gugliotta, Culinary Institute of America, The Culinary Institute of America Scholarship, $5,000
Kasey Hearns, New York University, The Karen Tenenbaum Scholarship, $2,500
Jamie Hittner, Culinary Institute of America, The Alison Awerbuch and Abigail Kirsch Scholarship, $5,000
Aislinn Korb, Culinary Institute of America, The Margaret and Darby Perry Scholarship, $5,000
Connie Ly, Kingsborough Community College, The Kingsborough Culinary Scholarship, $2,500
Katerina Marin, New York City College of Technology, The Beam Suntory Spirits Scholarship, $1,000
Bryn McLain, New York City College of Technology, The Arlindo Fernandez, Late President, Chefs de Cuisine Association of America: The Culinary Scholarship, $1,500
Lauren Ng, New York University, The Carol Brock Scholarship, $3,000
Emma Perez, Culinary Institute of America, L’Etoile Scholarship, $20,000
Nevaeh Pierre, Culinary Institute of America, The Margaret and Darby Perry Scholarship, $5,000
Chelsea Sarg, International Wine Center, The Linda Lawry Scholarship, $1,000
Anna Soloniuk, New York University, The Stirring the Pot Scholarship, $3,000
May Yang, Culinary Institute of America, The Margaret and Darby Perry Scholarship, $5,000
LDNY is the founding and largest chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI), an experienced 501c3 non-profit organization.
Its mission is to advance and support aspiring professional women in food and beverage, as well as to champion critical industry issues. LDNY’s vision is guided by three objectives: Education, Advocacy and Philanthropy.
