LDEI, with the support of the Julia Child Foundation, offers women unique opportunities to work alongside accomplished members of LDEI in their chosen culinary fields. These Legacy Award experiences immerse women who are eager to learn, grow, and give back to their communities and provide Dames important mentorship opportunities.

Legacy Award winners apply in January each year for experiences that take place between May and September. This year, five outstanding women from across the United States were chosen for the Legacy Awards because they exemplify excellence, innovation, and leadership in their respective areas of expertise. Their dedication to culinary arts, sustainable practices, community engagement, and education has left an indelible mark on the industry and inspired countless others.

Read more about this year’s winners.

LDEI’s Grande Dame Award recognizes outstanding lifetime achievements within the food, beverage and hospitality industries. Every other year, the recipients are chosen through nominations and votes from Les Dames’ 2,700 members across 40 chapters worldwide.

Carla Hall, a member of the Washington, D.C. chapter of LDEI, is a renowned chef, a best-selling author, and a beloved television personality. She is also deeply committed to philanthropy, and serves on the Boards of organizations focused on the health and well-being of children (Helen Keller International, GenYouth, and The Pajama Program).  She also works closely with 4H and the James Beard Foundation and served as the Culinary Ambassador for Sweet Home Cafe at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Read more about Grande Dame Carla Hall.