Minnesota Les Dames d’Escoffier Scholarship Recipients
The Minnesota chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier has provided Minnesota women with scholarships in the fields of food, beverage and hospitality for over 20 years. During that time, we have given over $63,000 in scholarships. Some of our recent past recipients are listed below.
For more information about our scholarship program, check out the scholarship application on this website.
2025 Scholars:
Anita Lam is pursuing a B.S. Nutrition at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities. She leads campus food-access initiatives.
Alaina Lawrence is working toward her M.S. in Food & Agriculture Systems, at Colorado State University. She is a USDA Climate Fellow, and first-gen grad student researching climate-smart agriculture.
Samantha Murray is pursuing a B.S. in Exercise Science (Nutrition), at Southwest MN State & Saint Paul College. She mentors youth with Urban Roots, and teaches cooking and food safety.
Lucinda Ama Mboge is pursuing an A.A.S. Culinary Arts at Saint Paul College. She is a Gambian immigrant bringing West African culinary heritage to Minnesota.
Cecia Flores Sanchez is pursuing her Ph.D. in Food Science & Nutrition at the UMN Grain Biopolymer Lab, She is Researching sustainable grain-based polymers to reduce food packaging waste.
Teresa Kracht is working toward her A.A.S. in Culinary Arts at Saint Paul College. She is Praised for passion and professionalism by Chef Pierre.
Lindsey Lahr, RDN is pursuing an A.A.S. in Culinary Arts at Saint Paul College. She is a dietitian bridging clinical nutrition & culinary, described as a driven leader.
Azarath Yaya Bradley is pursuing her A.A.S. in Culinary Arts at Saint Paul College. She is benin-born, and supports family in two countries. She is planning an African cuisine venture.
2024 Scholars:
Taylor Joa of Stillwater, Minnesota is currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota pursuing her BS and MS in Nutrition Sciences. Her plan is to become a Registered Dietician; she’d like to concentrate on food marketing for products that improve people’s health and food security advocacy.
Salma Muse of Minneapolis, Minnesota is currently enrolled at the St. Paul Community and Technical College in the Culinary Arts Program with an emphasis on Baking and Pastry Arts. She hopes to be able to open her own bakery in the future where she can bring people together.
2023 Scholar:
Jayda Collins, Apple Valley, Minnesota is attending the University of Minnesota in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences and is aiming towards a career in environmental science and sustainable agricultural practices.
2022 Scholar:
Mary Zimmer, Medina, Minnesota. Mary aims to focus on a B.S. in Agronomy.
2021 Scholar:
Alyson Hornby, Minneapolis, MN. Alyson attends the University of Minnesota in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) Department.
2020 Scholars:
Samantha Maldonado, Crystal, MN. Samantha attended the College of Food, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota. Sami is a two-time scholarship recipient with an impressive resume that includes interning with Growing North Minneapolis and Spark-Y Youth Action Labs. In February she visited Ecuador for the 4th time. Sami says “My father was raised in Ecuador which led to some Ecuadorian foods to be embedded into my childhood, such as beans, rice, bread, and bananas. While I was in Ecuador it was a comforting feeling to be surrounded by family and eat staples and new foods that reflect my culture.”
Chloe Thomas, Sartell, MN. Chloe studied hospitality and tourism at St. Cloud State University.
2019 Scholars:
Michelle Bascom, Howard Lake, MN. Michelle obtained her culinary degree with highest honors from The Art Institute and a B.S. in Nutrition from the University of Minnesota before entering the Masters Degree program in Nutrition at the University of Minnesota.
Ashley Briones, Minneapolis, MN. With a B.A. degree in Biology, Society and Environment and a minor in Chemistry, along with a culinary arts degree from The Art Institute Ashley continued her studies toward a Masters of Food Science at the University of Minnesota.
Claire Kalenberg, Litchfield, MN. Claire worked on her B.S. degree in Nutrition at the University of Minnesota with a special interest in the biochemistry of food and how, at the molecular level, it can be utilized to create healing in the body.
2018 Scholars:
Emily Pollock, Chaska, MN. We continued our support of Emily who was attending St, Paul Technical College.
Nicole SanFilippo, St. Paul, MN. Nicole attended the culinary program at St Paul College.
2017 Scholars:
Emily Pollock, Chaska, MN. Emily attended St. Paul Technical College.
Courtney Pelissero, Winona, MN. Courtney attended University of St. Thomas with an interest in agriculture and sustainable food practices.
2016 Scholars:
Jennifer Shaffner, Woodbury, MN. Jennifer attended the culinary program at St Paul College with a focus on nutrition.
Jennifer Walz, Plymouth, MN. Jennifer studied biology and environmental studies at the University of St. Thomas.
Ann Hendrickx, New York Mills, MN. Ann received the 2015 Scholar Award and we supported her for another year of her studies at Le Cordon Bleu.
2015 Scholar:
Ann Hendrickx, New York Mills, MN. A recent graduate of New York Mills High School, Ann used her scholarship to attend Le Cordon Bleu.
2014 Scholar:
Michelle Dalton, St Cloud, MN. Michell attended Le Cordon Bleu.
2013 Scholar:
Sara Harned, Coon Rapids, MN. Sara used her scholarship to study pastry arts at Le Cordon Bleu. She had been studying environmental sciences at Principia College in Elsah, IL., but discovered her true passion was in the kitchen.
2012 Scholar:
Kayla Baumler, Hopkins, MN. Kayla graduated from Le Cordon Bleu Minnesota in 2008 with an associate’s degree and used her scholarship to attain her bachelor’s degree at the Art Institutes International Minnesota.