ABOUT THE CHARLESTON CHAPTER OF LES DAMES D'ESCOFFIER INTERNATIONAL

There’s something special about the way Charleston gathers around food. It’s not just about what’s on the plate—it’s about the people, the stories, and the hands that bring it all to life. At the heart of that spirit is the Charleston Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International.

We are a collective of women who shape the way this city eats, drinks, and connects. Chefs and farmers. Writers and restaurateurs. Educators, mixologists, event producers, and community changemakers. Individually, we each have our own paths—but together, we are a powerful network bound by a shared commitment: to elevate women and to give back in meaningful, lasting ways.

Our chapter was founded in 2006 by the incomparable Nathalie Dupree, whose legacy of mentorship, excellence, and generosity continues to guide us. Today, our 40 members carry that torch forward—lifting one another up while opening doors for the next generation.

We are part of something bigger, too. Les Dames d’Escoffier International spans 42 chapters across the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and France, with more than 2,400 members worldwide. Yet our work is deeply local. Here in Charleston, we invest in our community through mentorship, outreach, and hands-on support for women pursuing careers in food, beverage, and hospitality.

Each year, we raise funds to provide $10,000 in culinary scholarships—real opportunities that help aspiring professionals take their next step. Our mission is simple, but powerful: to inspire, advance, and support women in food, beverage, and hospitality to achieve excellence in leadership and philanthropy—both here in Charleston and beyond.

And we do it the best way we know how: by gathering people around the table, creating moments of joy, and turning those moments into impact.

Because when women come together with purpose, there’s no limit to what we can build.

Amused Bouche

"A Tiny Taste of Comedy"