APPLICATIONS FOR 2025 SCHOLARSHIPS Open
Applications are open January 24 through February 12 and scholarship winners will be announced in March.
“The Les Dames d’Escoffier Austin Chapter is dedicated to wrapping our arms around our community and we were really blown away by the amount of money we were able to raise for women in the food and beverage career space,” said Kim Hanks, scholarship chair for the Les Dames Austin chapter. “Last year we gave away $50,000 toward a diverse range of courses and work experiences, and this year we look forward to doing the same.”
There are more ways than ever for you to apply for funding opportunities!
Take an online class! - the art of mixology, cheese tasting 101, perfecting the mother sauces, knife skills, beekeeping basics
Pursue a certification! - cider or cheese certification, sommelier, cicerone
Register for a virtual conference!
Buy a new display case for your bakery!
Attend a virtual trade show!
If you're learning something in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, then it's likely you can get funding for it. It's easy to apply! Don't delay!
Annual scholarships are available through the Les Dames Austin chapter to be used Central Texas women pursuing educational and business improvement opportunities in culinary, hospitality, and fine beverage careers. See the application guidelines section and specific applications, below, for more details.
Before you complete your application…
Consider your essay or video: We want to hear about your creativity, inspiration, big dreams, and plans for your community. Share with us! Tell us your unique story!
Gather your letters of recommendation: our selection committee will be most impressed by references that are relevant to your current business or aspiring career
The educational scholarships can be applied to a single learning opportunity or multiple opportunities that will help you advance your goals
The business grants can be applied towards equipment, specialty projects, or a special operational expense
These are educational scholarships and business development grants for Central Texas women in the culinary, hospitality, and fine beverage industry. We define ‘Central Texas’ as residing in one of the following counties: Travis, Burnet, Williamson, Lee, Bastrop, Caldwell, Hays, Blanco, Gillespie, Llano
Active members of Les Dames D’Escoffier are ineligible to apply
Scholarship and grant winners will be notified in early March
Good luck!
*Please note that scholarship winners are not eligible for Les Dames d’Escoffier membership during the calendar year that they are granted funds.
In 2024, the Austin chapter awarded over $40,000 in scholarships, professional development stipends and grants to 18 women who used the funds for a wide range of opportunities such as being a vendor at the Specialty Coffee Expo, attending Black Women in Food conference, Beekeeping Certification, continuing wine education with WSET studies, and more.
Since 2003 the Austin chapter has given $288,000 in scholarships and culinary stipends. These funds support the growth of careers and ongoing studies for women in hospitality, culinary, and beverage. Examples include attending the TEXSOM Sommelier Conference or applying to take the American Cheese Society Certified Cheese Professional Exam. Are you currently in our industry and have a dream for educational development you have yet to pursue? This is for you!
NEED TO CONTACT US?
For questions about Austin chapter scholarships or the application process, email info@ldeiaustin.org
Follow Les Dames Austin at @austindames on Instagram and @ldeiaustin on Facebook, and subscribe to our mailing list to hear about additional scholarship opportunities throughout the year.