Read the LDEI International Quarterly Here!
The Auction is LIVE!!
Our inaugural “Best Dame Auction Ever” online auction starts *NOW*, Sunday, November 12th and runs through the 19th 
The proceeds from this auction benefit our Micro Grant and Scholarship programs in the St. Louis area. This program is brought to you by the St. Louis Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier, a philanthropic organization of women who specialize in and are leaders in the food and beverage industry.
2023 LDEI Woman of Purpose Award
Presented in Partnership with YETI
With LDEI’s Woman of Purpose Award, Les Dames d’Escoffier International honors an exceptional Dame who has set herself apart by making a positive impact in a local or global community incorporating the important and complex realms of global sustainability, food justice and public health. This award celebrates a visionary Dame who has made strides towards improving our food system.
This year, 18 accomplished Dames were nominated for the LDEI Woman of Purpose Award. As per criteria, each LDEI chapter in good standing had one vote.
Among a dazzling slate of candidates, LDEI is pleased to announce this year’s Woman of Purpose Award goes to St. Louis
Dame Nina Mukerjee Furstenau.
“YETI is proud to partner with Les Dames d’Escoffier International in support of the second biennial Woman of Purpose Award,” said LeighAnn Bakunas, Director of Food & Beverage Community Marketing at YETI. “We are honored to recognize the amazing and impactful work these women are doing within their communities and continue to support their efforts in making a difference in food justice, public health, and global sustainability.”
LDEI congratulates Nina and is so proud of all Woman of Purpose Award nominees. They inspire us. Their accomplishments show us what is possible, how each of us individually and collectively can impact our communities for the greater good.
Donation to Unfailing Love Christian church for their holiday support of 150 families.
This 2021 holiday season, our St Louis Les Dames d'Escoffier Chapter donated goods and funds for 150 families in The Ville Collaborative. The Ville Collaborative is a group made up of various stakeholders in the Ville and Greater Ville neighborhoods. It was formed to promote communication and collaboration between people and organizations for the betterment of the community.
Dame Nina Mukerjee Furstenau releases a new book!
Dame Nina Mukerjee Furstenau is the author of “Biting Through the Skin: an Indian Kitchen in America’s Heartland” (Iowa, 2013)
Winner of the 2014 M.F.K. Fisher Grand Prize for Excellence in Culinary Writing/ She recently completed a Fulbright study grant - a working trio to Kaldata, resulting in this new book “Green Chili and Other Imposters”.
Dame Suzanne Corbett picked up 2 regional awards!
Dame Suzanne Corbett picked up 2 regional awards in October from the Midwest Travel Journalists Association. The awards were presenetd at the association’s Mark Twain Travel Journalist Awards held in Sanibel Island, FL.
Corbett wone first place for a short story, “Catch the Louisiana Blues”. The story appeared in AAA Southern Trabeller. She also received third place for her story “Patriotic Plates”, which ran in Gazelle Magazine.
The awards covered all of 2020 and through June 30th of 2021. Corbett’s work as food historian as been featured in the Campbell House Museum, The Gateway Arch National Park, the U.S. Grant Historical Site and the Missouri History Museum.
