Our members are dedicated to supporting and promoting the achievement of women in the arts of the table and fostering excellence through educational and charitable activities.
Since 1985
We've donated more than $1,500,000.00 to fund endowments,
scholarships, grants and local non profits.
Our first endowment of $5,000.00 was to the culinary program at El Centro, one of the Dallas County Community Colleges. With money raised from fundraising events, the Dallas Chapter of LDEI now has $415,000.00 in permanent endowments, supports a fine beverage library at El Centro, and annually awards money to diverse projects that support the goals of our organization.
Here’s a testimony from one of our recipients, Chef Leslie Moore:
"I was a scholarship recipient of your organization in the late 80's while attending the culinary program at El Centro. Lately I have been relecting on those years and realize I could not have stayed in school but for your scholarship money. It was very timely, to say the least. Thank you so much for enabling me to have a culinary education which has been the foundation of my Private Chef career here in Dallas. It has been a great ride! Thanks again for your kindness and generosity."
-Leslie Moore, Scholarship Recipient
Hugs Training Academy is an extension of the highly successful Hugs Café Inc. which is a non-profit restaurant providing training and paid employment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Texas. Hugs Training Academy provides a 12-week adaptive workplace educational experience in culinary and hospitality for adults starting at 14 years old who seek employment in the foodservice and hospitality industries. The course also includes taking the Food Handler’s Exam and interviewing with an employment partner upon completion. LDEI Dallas donated $3000 to support two scholarships to supplement the training of students, preferably a woman.
Fort Worx Foodservice Job Training Program is a collaboration between the Taste Project, the Tarrant Area Food Bank, the Culinary School of Fort Worth and the Texas Workforce Solutions. Apprentices spend 8-weeks in the Mission Kitchen the TAFB preparing thousands of ready-to-eat meals, followed by 8-weeks learning fundamentals of hands-on food preparation in the working, full-service establishment, The Taste Community Restaurant. LDEI Dallas donated $1000 towards training for a female student.
Taste Project is a non-profit organization that provides critical training and valuable hands-on work experience for those who are under-served and food insecure seeking skilled positions in foodservice. Taste Project provides 3 programs:
6-month Certified Fundamental Cook Culinary Pre-Apprenticeship Program for 19-24year olds with 1000 hours paid work experience in the Taste Restaurant, a Department of Labor apprenticeship designation and job placement support.
2-year Sous Chef Apprenticeship Program providing American Culinary Federation Certified Program, 4000 hours paid work experience, Department of Labor apprenticeship designation, guaranteed job placement.
LDEI Dallas donated $1000 towards CFC Culinary Pre-Apprenticeship Program for a woman. The program includes a Showcase Dinner, experiential working interviews with local employers and opportunities to pursue additional culinary and leadership skills training.
SommFoundation’s mission is to assist in the education and professional development of people working in the wine and spirits industry. LDEI Dallas donated $2300 for two $1000 scholarships for women in wine studies to assist with expenses related to WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines, the Institute of Masters of Wine, Master of Wine Exam (stage 2) or the Court of Master Sommeliers Master Somm Exam.
Skills USA Texas is one of 18,000 chapters in 53 states and is a student-led partnership that connects education and industry to empower students enrolled in career and technical education training programs in our nation’s high school and colleges to become skilled professionals and responsible community members. Through a framework of personal, workplace and technical skills, students develop character-shaping leadership skills. LDEI Dallas donated $2000 for prizes for hospitality students at state annual competition.
McKinney Roots Donation Farm is a five-acre non-profit farm in McKinney, TX that grows over 21 varieties of seasonal vegetables and raises 80 hens to provide produce and eggs to community partners to help alleviate hunger in Collin County. The organization works with nine community partners including McKinney Little Free Pantry, Community Garden Kitchen, Community Lifeline Center, the Samaritan Inn, Neighbors Nourishing Neighbors and others. LDEI donated $3000 toward building a more sustainable, multipurpose chicken coop.
CoAct North Texas is a non-profit social innovation studio creating social and economic opportunities to address disparity in solving complex social challenges in North Texas. Les Dames donated $1500 to support the organization’s efforts to develop marketing and engagement strategies for Tabor Farms and Mind Your Garden Urban Farm that address food insecurity and provide farm supplies and infrastructure and support the Mindful Market.
The North Texas Food Bank is a non-profit charitable organization that collects and distributes food to more than 400 food pantries and community organizations in North Texas. Their mission addresses food insecurity and helps to close the hunger gap through unique programs and community partnerships such as Child Hunger, Senior Programs, Nutrition Services, Garden Programs, Mobile Pantry Sites, Disaster Relief and local food pantries. LDEI Dallas donated $1000 to support the mission of the NTFB.
The Sponsorship Agreement was established between LDEI Dallas and the Dallas College Workforce and Advancement Career Connected Learning and the Dallas College Career Connected Learning providing $25,000 over a 5 year period.
LDEI Patron Program provides recognition at the annual Conference including chapter name in the Conference program and on-screen scroll during opening keynote address and Gala dinner, and other perks. LDEI Dallas donated $2500 towards the Supporting Patron level.