Georgia Magazine - August 2019 - 30

GEORGIA Cooks

By Jane F. Garvey

Les Dames d'Escoffier

The Atlanta chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier International
raises funds through special events, such as Afternoon in
the Country, set for Nov. 3 at Foxhall Resort in Douglasville.
Attendees taste dishes from Atlanta-area restaurants
and sip wines from many vintners. For details, visit
ldeiatlanta.org/aitc.

Georgia Magazine

August 2019

COURTESY LES DAMES D'ESCOFFIER INTERNATIONAL ATLANTA CHAPTER

hey are chefs and restaurateurs, journalists, food bloggers, cookbook authors, culinary educators, caterers,
hospitality executives, farmers, food and wine consultants and more-all united through a love of culinary arts,
mentorship and philanthropy.
As members of Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI),
more than 2,300 hardworking women throughout 42 chapters
worldwide promote the work of female culinary professionals.
Membership is by invitation only.
So who was Escoffier?
Georges Auguste Escoffier (1846-1935) was heir apparent to Marie-Antoine Carême (1784-1833), the 19th century's
premier chef who set the foundation for modern French cooking. Escoffier's legacy: simplifying the grandiose cooking that
was Carême's style. His passion for simplicity still guides many
contemporary chefs.
Each chapter of Les Dames d'Escoffier, which was founded
in 1976 in New York City, is community-focused and provides
support, scholarships and guidance to women eager to acquire
or hone their skills in the culinary fields.
Atlanta's LDEI chapter was established in 1996. Among its
members are a highly regarded food photographer and food
stylist (Angie Mosier), an award-winning bartender and mix-

COURTESY LES DAMES D'ESCOFFIER INTERNATIONAL
ATLANTA CHAPTER

The legacy of a legendary French chef

The membership of the Atlanta chapter of Les Dames
d'Escoffier International represents a wide swath of
community culinarians.

ologist (Tiffanie Barriere), a culinary-arts program
teacher at Miller Grove High School in Lithonia
(Keio Gayden), an award-winning cookbook author
and teacher (Virginia Willis) and the managing partner, head of event sales and owner of Vino Venue in
Dunwoody (Lelia Bryan).
Announced last year, LDEI now has a Savannah
and Coastal Georgia chapter. Among its members
are the latest James Beard Best Chef Southeast and
executive chef and partner at The Grey in Savannah
(Mashama Bailey); a food alchemist, herbalist and
wellness coach at Sage's Larder (Jovan Sage); and
the executive chef at Pacci Italian Kitchen and Bar in
Savannah (Lauren Teague). Learn more at facebook.
com/lesdamessavannah.
Mosier was a charter member of the Atlanta
chapter. She says the chapter awards nearly $100,000
in scholarships and grants in a single year.
"The Culinary Futures Scholarship-$24,000 for
one person-is earmarked for a high school senior,"
she says.
Scholarships are presented at an annual event
at which the recipients can gather and get to know
one another. For more information about scholarships and grants, visit ldeiatlanta.org/scholarships.
Jane F. Garvey is a food, wine and travel writer
from Decatur.

http://facebook.com/lesdamessavannah http://facebook.com/lesdamessavannah http://www.ldeiatlanta.org/scholarships http://www.ldeiatlanta.org/aitc

Georgia Magazine - August 2019

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