Frequently Asked Questions

Les Dames d’Escoffier Nashville is an organization of women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality whose mission is education and philanthropy.

Our organization is named after Auguste Escoffier (1846–1935), known as “The Chef of Kings” and “The King of Chefs.” He was the most innovative chef in history, one whose philosophy, accomplishments and philanthropic deeds serve as inspiration to culinary professionals today.

In 1936, a group of epicures, many of them former pupils of Auguste Escoffier, gathered at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City to form a men-only organization of dedicated gastronomes called Les Amis d’Escoffier Society of New York, Inc.

In the early 1970s, Carol Brock, the then Sunday food editor at the New York Daily News, set about to create the first organization for professional culinary women. She was inspired by the Boston group Les Dames des Amis d’Escoffier, a dining and philanthropic society formed in 1959 in response to the all-male Les Amis d’Escoffier.

Carol received a charter from the New York Les Amis d’Escoffier Society to form a women’s chapter. Her goal was to raise the image and presence of women in food, wine, and hospitality industries still largely dominated by men.  In 1976, 50 prominent women formed Les Dames d’Escoffier New York. In 1985, after five chapters were formed (New York 1976, Washington, D.C. 1981, Chicago 1982, Dallas and Philadelphia 1984), their presidents met in New York to form LDEI. Boston’s Les Dames des Amis d’Escoffier joined LDEI in 1991 and became its Boston chapter.

Membership applications are accepted every other year during the month of April. The next round of applications will open in 2028.

New members are accepted in May, and there will be a new member orientation in June. The Nashville Chapter’s fiscal year begins August 1, kicked off by our annual meeting, which is typically held at the end of August. A new members orientation event will be held ahead of the annual meeting.

Membership is open to women who:

• Have at least 5 years of professional experience and demonstrate achievement and show stature in the food, beverage, farming, or hospitality industry.

• Support the Les Dames d’Escoffier International’s Mission, Vision and Basic Values.

• Meet LDEI’s ethical standards and have no undisclosed conflict of interest associated with their membership.

Applicants can be nominated by existing dames, or you can apply independently. If you are nominating yourself for membership, please note that you will still need a letter of recommendation from a current Dame. Click here for a list of our local members. If you are seeking a recommendation, review the list for someone you may already be connected with, or reach out to the Membership Committee Chair to connect you with someone within the organization. You do not need to know someone personally to apply, we are happy to connect you with someone for your letter of recommendation.

For any other inquiries or questions/concerns about nominating yourself, you may email our Membership Co-Chairs, Amanda Polick and Emily Carlson at membership@lesdamesnashville.org.

We expect all members to attend our annual meeting held in late August, attend at least one members-only gathering, and contribute to the organization in at least one of the following ways: 

1. As a Doer: Contribute time and energy to one of our committees and/or signature events

2. As a Door Opener: connect our organization with your vast network, making introductions to potential sponsors and partners 

3. As a Donor: Contribute financially to our fundraising events and/or establish an annual scholarship or grant in your name or company’s name. 

We ask that all members attend the annual meeting in August, at least one other members-only gathering, and participate in at least one public event and/or committee. The alternative to time and energy commitment is financial contribution to our public events. 

Our current membership dues are $200 per year, which includes membership to LDEI. Our members-only gatherings are typically free. Our public-facing events or micro gatherings have varying costs associated with them, depending on the event or activity. Members who volunteer to organize or work an event do not typically pay entry, unless otherwise communicated.

Attendance at the annual conference is at your own expense, though we do have first-come first-serve funds available for the price of conference admission.

Please note that we have a set amount of “angel’s share” funds available for those that need support any given year to pay membership dues. Please contact the current president or treasurer for information if and when needed. 

No! Les Dames d’Escoffier was originally an invite-only organization when it was established. Those rules have been changed in order to welcome more variety and diversity to the organization. The application does require a letter of recommendation, but our Membership Committee is happy to help facilitate this if you do not personally know any members. 

Make sure that you are receiving email communication, sign up for text notifications, and attend our events! We also strongly recommend attending the annual Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) conference whenever possible. You will find that the connections you make through our organization within our field of hospitality will enrich your personal and professional life.

Our fiscal year starts in August, which is when the new members are inducted and the new board of directors begins its term. Our annual meeting is held at the end of August, typically on a Monday. 

The typical calendar of events following the annual meeting is as follows: 

• October or early November: Green Tables Committee Signature fundraising event. 

  • This is a public event with the intention of promoting our connection with Tennessee agriculture, as well as raising awareness and money for the organization

• December: Lunch with Les Dames

  • This is typically a mid-sized event traditionally held at Margot’s Cafe featuring a cookbook author and a menu inspired by the featured book. This is a public event but heavily attended by members. 

• January: Holiday Hangover

  • A casual members-only gathering to connect after the busy holiday season and get updated on the new year’s slate of events 

• February: Scholarship and Grant Applications Open

  • Promotion of our scholarship and grant program, funds available based on the previous year’s fundraising efforts

• March: Virtual TableTalks with LDEI + All Members Gathering

  • We have the option as a chapter to host a virtual event or seminar, promoted by LDEI

  • Members gathering to receive updates from the board, rally for signature events and gather member referrals ahead of membership drive in May

• April: Membership Drive 

  • Membership Mixer for potential new members

  • Marketing & PR Committee promote membership drive, Membership Committee reviews applications 

• May: Global Culinary Signature Fundraising Event

  • This is a public event with the intention of promoting the diversity of our field, as well as raising awareness and money for the organization

• June or July: DEI Event

  • New Member Orientation

  • DEI Subcommittee hosts a seminar or panel with conversation in the traditional of our past years’ sessions at Yay Yay’s to further the conversation around DEI in the hospitality industry

• Throughout the Year: Dames Micro Gatherings

  • You will be invited to small “micro” gatherings of Dames with common interests or careers. These invitations are simply a way to connect with fellow Dames and are entirely voluntary. They are typically hosted by a veteran Dame and costs vary with the activity (i.e. Dames who Drink would be a cash bar, Dames who hike might be free, etc.)

Please note that this is our typical pattern of events and they are subject to change. Specific dates will be communicated through our members newsletter as they are solidified by the board.

Committee involvement is one of the most important and best ways to be involved in this organization. Below are the options for new members to join: 

1. Programming

   • Generates and organizes networking opportunities for members and supports the organization of our signature fundraising events, working closely with Green Tables, Global Culinary, DEI as well as Marketing/PR Committees. 

   • Who is a good fit? Anyone that likes to organize events, as well as “Doers” that are willing to be boots on the ground for our main events.

   • This committee meets in person or virtually a few times a year.

2. Internal Communications

   • Keeps members informed and engaged with what is happening within the organization. This includes writing and sending newsletters, text reminders, and assisting programming with invitations to events. 

   • Who is a good fit? Anyone that is a good communicator and is organized.

   • This committee meets in person or virtually a few times a year.

3. Marketing/PR

   • Responsible for our social media efforts as well as external communications such as press releases and website updates. 

   • Who is a good fit? Anyone with experience in social media communications and/or Squarespace and/or writing press releases. Also members that already have press connections to send out information. 

   • This committee meets in person or virtually a few times a year.

4. Strategic Partnerships

   • Develops strategic partnerships with other organizations and corporate entities to generate revenue and relationships to benefit our grant and scholarship program

   • Who is a good fit? Members who are either Donors or Door Openers, and/or has a solid roster of contacts, and/or don’t mind reaching out to ask for money. 

   • This committee meets in person or virtually a few times a year.

5. Green Tables 

   • connect innovative sustainable agriculture including urban and rural farms/gardens with restaurant, school and kitchen tables across Nashville’s communities. Work with outreach programs for food accessibility and hunger. Work with Programming for marquee fundraising event.

   • Who is a good fit? Anyone that is interested in sustainability, agriculture, or food accessibility, as well as those that are great at organizing large events. 

   • This committee’s signature event is typically in the October or early November so it will meet a few times ahead of the main event, and will have a heavy hand in the actual event. 

6. Global Culinary

   • Organize and execute our signature spring event in promotion of the Global Culinary mission to embrace our global communities through culinary connections that provide educational programming, training programs and cultural exchange

   • Who is a good fit? Members interested in Nashville’s diverse culinary offerings, lifting up these committees, as well as those that are great at organizing large events.

   • This committee’s signature event is typically in late March/early April so it will meet a few times ahead of the main event, and will have a heavy hand in the actual event. 

7. Scholarship

   • promote scholarship and grant opportunities, field applications, and advise the board on selections. 

   • Who is a good fit? Members who love giving away money to deserving applicants. 

   • This committee’s busiest time is February - March when applications are accepted and reviewed.

8. Membership/Recruiting 

   • Oversee the membership recruiting and selection process

   • Who is a good fit? Members who are Door Openers, as well as those that are organized and responsive.

According to our by-laws, all members are entitled to up to two years of leave of absence either taken consecutively or non-consecutively. You can contact the chapter’s president to request an LOA, and it will be submitted to the board for approval and the following board meeting.