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Applications now open for LDEI 2026 Awards

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February 5, 2026

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Applications are now open for the 2026 Les Dames d'Escoffier International (LDEI) Legacy Awards, supported by The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. The Legacy Awards provide women in food, beverage and hospitality with transformative, one-of-a-kind professional experiences designed to accelerate careers, expand networks, and deepen leadership skills, according to a press release.

The 2026 Legacy Awards feature six immersive experiences hosted by accomplished LDEI members and partners across the U.S. and abroad. Each award is curated to offer hands-on learning, mentorship and real-world insight into the systems shaping today's food landscape — from regenerative agriculture and restaurant ownership to spirits branding, sustainable food systems and product innovation. Applications are open now through March 31, 2026.

"Legacy Awards are about meaningful access to knowledge, to mentors, and to experiences that women don't always get invited into," Marilyn Freundlich, president of Les Dames d'Escoffier International, said in the press release. "The 2026 programs reflect the depth and diversity of our membership and the power of learning directly from women who are building resilient, values-driven food businesses and systems."

Each LDEI Legacy Award includes a five-day immersive experience working alongside accomplished LDEI members. Experiences may take place as early as June and as late as mid-October 2026.

The Legacy Awards are open to women residing in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, or Italy. Applicants must have a minimum of four years of professional experience in food, beverage, hospitality, or related fields (including agriculture and farming) and may apply to only one award category. Awardees will be notified in May 2026.

"LDEI's Legacy Awards embody Julia Child's lifelong commitment to learning, mentorship, and excellence in the culinary arts," Todd Schulkin, executive director for The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts. "We're honored to support programs that give women the tools, confidence, and access to lead the future of food."

Application forms and more information can be found here.

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