Les Dames d'Escoffier Hawaii Chapter to Host Julia Child Fundraising Dinner

Honolulu -- Les Dames d'Escoffier Hawaii Chapter announced today a benefit fundraising dinner that is a celebration of French cuisine and the life of Julia Child. The event will take place on Sunday, August 14th from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Graystones at 1302 Nehoa Street, Honolulu, HI 96822. Tickets for members are $150 per person and include valet parking. Registration for the event is at www.ldeijuliachild.eventbrite.com.

Participating chefs include Liz Anderson of Hawaiian Nougat Company, Clare and Dan Bobo of Island Thyme Gourmet, Holly and Moumen El Hajji of Pacific Catering & Events, Abigail Langlas of Cakeworks, Jackie Lau of Kitchenette Custom Catering, Kathy Masunaga of Sweet Revenge, Ivy Nagayama and Axel Colobong of Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi Bar, David Passanisi and Jocelyn McCann of EatHonolulu, Michelle Karr Ueoka of MW Restaurant, and Lee Anne Wong of Koko Head Café.

The Hawaii Chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International's goal is to offer scholarships for education and continuing education grants for mentorships both locally and abroad to kama'aina female applicants who are pursuing careers in the food, fine beverage and hospitality industries. These grants will range from $500 - 5,000 and are based on financial need, achievement, experience and potential success in the culinary industry. The mission of "Dames Who Donate" is to promote and inspire local women to dream big and become leaders in their chosen field.

Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI) is a worldwide society of women dedicated to creating a culture in the community that fosters excellence and promotes the achievement of women in culinary professions through educational and charitable activities.

LDEI was founded in New York in 1976 by Carol Brock, a food reporter for the New York Daily News. At the time there were few opportunities for women in the culinary arts and there were no prominent women chefs or sommeliers. Brock saw a need to create an organization of professional leading women in the industry who would serve as role models and mentors to others. From its inception, the organization has been a membership-by-invitation, philanthropic organization that has provided education, networking opportunities and scholarship support.

Overall, the organization has grown to more than 2100 members in 36 chapters, with the newest chapters being chartered in 2015 to include Ann Arbor, MI; Kentucky; North Carolina; Portland, OR; Sacramento, CA; and Mexico.

We remain dedicated in our support of women through scholarships, educational programs, externships and networking.

For more information about the Les Dames d'Escoffier International organization, visit www.ldei.org.

Our Hawai`i chapter consists of over 75 women representing a wide range of roles in the culinary and hospitality world: chefs, caterers, farmers, food retailers, wholesalers, writers, and hospitality executives.