Les Dames d’Escoffier International (Les Dames) and The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and Culinary Arts are pleased to announce the 2024 LDEI Legacy Award Winners. The LDEI Legacy Awards are curated industry experiences designed specifically to enhance the careers of women in food, beverage, and hospitality. The winners are Heather Carpenter, Tara McDonough, Sami Maldonado, Melissa Maness, and Anamaría Morales.
The five outstanding individuals chosen for the Legacy Award exemplify excellence, innovation, and leadership in their respective areas of expertise. Their dedication to culinary arts, sustainable practices, community engagement, and education has left an indelible mark on the industry and inspired countless others.
“We are thrilled to honor these exceptional women who have made invaluable contributions to the culinary world and beyond,” says Kathy Gold, President of Les Dames. “Their passion, expertise, and commitment to excellence inspire us all and reflect the core values of Les Dames.”
2024 Legacy Award Winners:
New Orleans Hospitality, Catering, and Event Planning Award: Heather Carpenter: Heather, a Charleston native, deeply values entertaining and southern cuisine, influenced by her upbringing. Her connection to local produce and seafood from family farms and fishing trips is evident. Sundays are cherished with five generations gathered, enjoying food, stories, and activities like football or birthday celebrations. Beyond family, Heather is devoted to volunteering and supporting organizations like Charleston Friends of the Library, The Scottish Society of Charleston, and Special Olympics, where she plans and executes fundraising events. Her leadership roles at the James Island Yacht Club Auxiliary showcase her attention to detail and strong work ethic, qualities that make her an ideal manager for the Salthouse team.
Austin Fine Beverages Award: Tara McDonough: Tara, a food and beverage enthusiast with nearly two decades of experience, graduated from the Culinary Institute of New Orleans and honed her skills in top Crescent City kitchens. Her love for wine blossomed in Italy and for beer while brewing in Denver. In Texas, she served as the Beer & Wine Department Manager at H-E-B, connecting with vintners and winemakers of the High Plains AVA. Passionate about local Texas beverages, she delights in sharing her enthusiasm with friends, family, and customers.
Washington, D.C. Food Policy and Advocacy Award: Sami Maldonado: Sami, with over five years of food systems experience, holds a B.S. in Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems. Currently pursuing a graduate degree in Sustainability & Environment at the University of Michigan, she is a Transformative Food Systems Fellow committed to fostering social, environmental, and equitable change. Serving as the 2024 Course Coordinator for “Food Literacy for All,” she actively engages in community-academic partnerships. Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Sami is grateful for support from various organizations, including the LDEI Minnesota Chapter.
Dallas Culinary Education Award: Melissa Maness: Melissa has been a culinary arts instructor for South Technical High School in St. Louis, Missouri for the past 16 years. Located in the Special school district of St. Louis, the program at South Tech is accredited by the American Culinary Federation’s Educational Foundation, which under Melissa’s leadership, has achieved exemplary status over the last 10 years. Melissa also serves on the board of directors for Food is Love and is active within the culinary community and food scene in St. Louis.
New England Food Entrepreneurship Award: Anamaría Morales: Anamaría is on a mission to “help send gals to college one cheesecake at a time!” Coming from a low-income Latinx family with teenage parents, she creatively funded her higher education by founding College Confectionista, a cheesecake business. A first-generation college graduate from UC Berkeley, she graduated debt-free, thanks to her entrepreneurial spirit and hard work. Her vision extends to expanding College Confectionista into a foundation, supporting low-income Latinas in Sonoma County with scholarships and mentorship for college.
Each LDEI Legacy Award winner earns a five-day experience working alongside accomplished Les Dames members. Experiences take place between May 15 and September 15, 2024. For complete details and itineraries of each experience, click here.