Grande Dame

Les Dames d’Escoffier International bestows the Grande Dame Award to an exceptional woman every two years. This lifetime achievement award and honorary title is given to members in recognition of extraordinary contributions within the fields of food, beverage and hospitality.

Paula Lambert & Bev Shaffer

Paula Lambert & Bev Shaffer

2022 Grande Dames

Carolyn Wente

Carolyn Wente

Wente Family Vineyards

2020 Grande Dame

Nora Pouillon

Nora Pouillon

Restaurant Nora

2019 Grande Dame

Marion Nestle, PhD

Marion Nestle, PhD

NYU

2018 Grande Dame

Lidia Bastianich

Lidia Bastianich

Felidia's Ristorante

2017 Grande Dame

Joan Nathan

Joan Nathan

Cookbook Author

2015 Grande Dame

Dolores Cakebread

Dolores Cakebread

Cakebread Cellars

2013 Grande Dame

Nathalie Dupree

Nathalie Dupree

Nathalie Dupree Enterprises

2011 Grande Dame

Shirley Corriher

Shirley Corriher

Food Scientist, Cookbook Author

2009 Grande Dame

Alice Waters

Alice Waters

Chez Panisse

2007 Grande Dame

Marcella Hazan

Marcella Hazan

Cookbook Author

2005 Grande Dame

Abigail Kirsch & Rosemary Kowalksi

Abigail Kirsch & Rosemary Kowalksi

2003 Grande Dames

Jerry Anne DiVecchio

Jerry Anne DiVecchio

Cookbook Author

2001 Grande Dame

Edna Lewis

Edna Lewis

Chef, Cookbook Author

1999 Grande Dame

Madeleine Kamman

Madeleine Kamman

Chef, Teacher

Anne Willan

École de Cuisine La Varenne

1995 Grande Dame

Marion Cunningham

Cookbook Author

1993 Grande Dame

Earlier Honorees
  • Carol Brock
  • M.F.K. Fisher
  • Julia Child
  • Grace Chu
  • Nika Hazelton
  • Helen McCully
  • Caroline Rose Hunt
  • Helen Bullock
  • Julie Dannenbaum