Les Dames d’Escoffier New York (LDNY) is an international organization of accomplished professional women in the food, nutrition, fine beverage, and hospitality industries. The primary goal of the Annual Scholarship Program is to encourage talented women to become leaders in these industries by assisting them in furthering their professional education. In 2020, seventeen deserving women were awarded a total of $81,500 in scholarships.
All winners are offered the opportunity to participate in our Mentorship Program. This program provides scholarship winners with additional support as they strive to advance in their chosen fields.
Rules for Eligibility
Only students enrolled or planning to enroll in one of our partner schools may apply. These currently include: Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Institute of Culinary Education (ICE), International Wine Center (IWC), Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Kingsborough Community College, Montclair State University, New York City College of Technology (City Tech) and New York University (NYU)
Applicants must reside in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut.
Applicants must have completed at least one semester of higher education and must be currently matriculated, with at least one semester to complete as of March 26, 2021.
Eligible women are invited to submit applications.
Deadline is March 26, 2021.
Application Process
New applications for 2021 accepted starting February 8, 2021.
Students submit completed applications thru the LDNY website no later than March 26, 2021.
Scholarship recipients will be selected in May 2021.
Scholarship recipients, school liaisons and donors will be notified in May 2021.
Please note thatincomplete applications cannot be accepted.
Send the most recent official transcript from your current institution or most recent college/university. If you are a first semester or transfer student, send an official transcript from your previously attended institute, college/university or high school
Three-part essay of 500 words or less (see description below)
Two professional letters of recommendation (Note: Recommendations from friends or relatives will not be accepted.)
500-word essay should include three sections
Career plans, goals, and aspirations
Relevant experience that supports career plans
Volunteer and/or community service and any recognition or awards received as a result of service
Important additional Information
Incomplete applications cannot be considered.
No additional material will be considered in the application process.
Applicants awarded scholarships will be notified in late May 2021.
If possible, a reception for scholarship recipients, mentors and guests will be held in July 2021. All scholarship recipients are encouraged to attend.
Applications will be accepted from February 8, 2021 until March 26, 2021.
LDNY also offers one $20,000 L’Etoile Scholarship to an exceptional young woman who meets the following criteria:
Only students enrolled in Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and New York University (NYU) may apply
Applicants must reside in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut
Applicants must have completed at least two years of undergraduate education
Applicants must be enrolled in a four-year BA or BS program with a culinary, wine, nutrition, or hospitality focus and have a minimum GPA of 3.5
You may apply for a L’Etoile Scholarship and an LDNY scholarship in the same year
Applicants must demonstrate excellence in their academic and personal achievements
Finalists will be interviewed by the LDNY Scholarship Committee
Applicants must submit the online LDNY Scholarship Application plus an additional 500-word essay detailing why they believe they should be considered for the L’Etoile Scholarship. This must be emailed no later than March 26, 2021 in a PDF format to LDNYscholarship@gmail.com
