FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Les Dames d’Escoffier New York Awards 2024 Scholarships
Over $75,000 Goes To 20 Future Culinary Leaders
Since Inception Over $2 Million Has Been Awarded
New York, NY– 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.
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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. 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
- 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
About Les Dames d’Escoffier New York (LDNY)
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.
Since 1977, LDNY has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to over 1,000 recipients. Help Les Dames d’Escoffier New York continue to award scholarships that fund freedom to pursue an education and pursue professional dreams.
LDNY Press Contact: Joyce Appelman, joyceappelman@gmail.com
www.ldny.org / info@ldny.org
