Kansas City food professionals earn international recognition for ushering the next generation of women
“The framework to give back and uplift women is everything. We’re doing this to help level the playing field for ourselves as women,” says Cheryl Hartell.
Les Dames d’Escoffier Kansas City members accepting the Cultivating Impactful Change Award // Courtesy LDEIKC
If one of your favorite restaurants is owned or run by a woman, odds are that she is a dame.
There is an organization of professionals dedicated to supporting women in the food industry, and they’re known as dames (pronounced dŏmz).
The Kansas City chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEIKC) was just awarded the Cultivating Impactful Change Award, primarily for their work granting scholarships for women in the KC area. Last month, six LDEIKC members accepted the award at the organization’s annual conference and were recognized for their work in investing meaningfully in the next generation of women in food and hospitality.
Cheryl Hartell, former President of LDEIKC and now board member, recounts the experience: “There we were, sitting in a ballroom in Las Vegas, hearing our name listed among the New York chapter and others from around the world, and when they announced our name, we just looked at each other with shock and awe.”
“We were thrilled to be awarded that, and we’ve done a lot of work with a fraction of the members of other chapters,” she says, and the numbers prove it. When the scholarship program started at LDEIKC in 2018, a couple of $500 scholarships were awarded. Last year, over $39,000 was distributed, with an expected $50,000 to be granted this year.
Prospective students undergo a rigorous application process for a scholarship, including an essay. Most recipients have gone on to attend Johnson County Community College’s culinary or hospitality programs, while others have attended Kansas State University for agriculture, the Culinary Institute of America, the M.F.K. Fisher Symposium, and more.
One student has earned a scholarship four years in a row, completing a culinary program at JCCC and now graduating from the Culinary Institute of America.
And after school? You’ll find scholarship recipients and current LDEIKC members working all over KC, as prominent as James Beard Foundation Award winners and semifinalists like Celina Tio of The Belfry, Swetha Newcomb of Of Course, and Katie Liu-Sung of Chewology; as well as notable chefs and owners like Natasha Bailey, Pam Liberda, and Robin Krause.
2025 Les Dames d’Escoffier Kansas City scholarship recipients // Courtesy LDEIKC
“We’re an international organization with chapters all over the world, so you have a network of women in the culinary and hospitality industry not only in KC, but in cities everywhere. In our corner of the world, it was Jane Zieha, who owns Blue Bird Bistro, who recruited me while I was running the Pita for Good food truck,” recalls Hartell.
From struggles around being primary caregivers at home to accessing working capital, some issues disproportionately affect women in the Kansas City culinary scene. That’s where the network of experienced industry professionals comes into play.
Celina Tio is developing a robust mentorship program for both scholarship recipients and working professionals. Leveraging strength in numbers and connections between members has been an asset to those in the organization.
To become a member, one of the qualifications is working within the food industry for at least five years. “Food industry”, however, has a wide definition for Les Dames d’Escoffier, and includes everyone from chefs to sommeliers and farmers to food scientists. Locally, Dr. Linda Hezel of Prairie Birthday Farm and food writers including Judith Fertig, Jill Silva, and Jenny Vergara round out the diverse group of professionals.
“LDEIKC’s mission is absolutely and totally philanthropic,” states Hartell. “The network and connections with women are important, but our work is to raise money to support women in these industries. For me, giving back to the industry that had given me so much was the most important piece.”
For those wanting to support this mission outside of becoming a member, LDEIKC’s summer fundraiser is underway, and it’s a true treat. As a nod to the organization’s French roots, LDEIKC members have curated a gourmet picnic kit to celebrate Bastille Day. The kits are available for purchase now, and for pick up on July 17.
