By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Scholarship applications are now open to BC women interested in furthering their careers in the culinary, beverage, agriculture, aquaculture and other hospitality fields.
The scholarships are offered through the BC Chapter of the prestigious Les Dames d’Escoffier International, an organization founded in 1992 to support women who wish to further their culinary-related careers through educational opportunities.
The BC Chapter has up to $30,000 to award in 2025 and scholarships are open to persons in BC who identify as 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.
The scholarships cover all aspects of food and beverage.
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Scholarships are awarded on merit, ability, commitment, and passion. Applicants can be awarded a scholarship more than once, depending on the circumstance. If a woman’s previous application was unsuccessful, the organization encourages them to apply again.
Christine Godlonton, Culinary Arts Program instructor at Vancouver Island University, was awarded LDBC scholarships in both 1994 and 2023 and has become one of the newest Les Dames members joining the BC Chapter in 2024.
“I am very grateful for the support that the BC Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier has provided me over the last 30 years as a young woman just embarking on a career path in BC’s culinary field with a ton of passion and then again as a mature woman who absolutely loves what I do,” said Godlonton.
“I fully believe in the work of Les Dames d’ Escoffier and am proud to now be a member to bring my experience full circle to mentor, support and inspire our next generation of women leaders.”
Christine Godlonton, Culinary Arts Program instructor at Vancouver Island University, was awarded LDBC scholarships in both 1994 and 2023.
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Applications are reviewed and evaluated by the Scholarship Committee comprised of Les Dames members with successful applicants announced in March 2025.
The deadline for applications is February 12, 2025 (11:59 p.m. PT) and are available online at lesdames.ca/scholarship-program/apply/ .
The 2025 scholarship funds were sponsored by the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver, Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts, Cacao Barry/Chocolate Academy, Pastry Training Centre of Vancouver, Snowcap Fund, Karen A. Davidson, the Fineza Family, and Two Rivers Specialty Meats.
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 41 chapters in the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, 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.
