Our Scholarships Help Students Fulfill Their Culinary Goals.
The History: We first began giving scholarships in 2017 for the 2018 school year after our first successful SupperClub. Envisioned by our then President-Elect, Chris Becicka, we moved forward with the major fundraising effort necessary to finance the awards. Our first year, we granted two scholarships. For the 2019-20 school year, three scholars were chosen and three or four students every year since have been awarded scholarships.
The Scholarship:
- The scholarship(s) will be awarded to a woman (or women) pursuing a career in the food, culinary arts, nutrition, wine or hospitality areas.
- If appropriate, recipient must be a high school graduate as of May in the year she is applying for the scholarship.
- New and continuing students are eligible.
- Students may also be in mid-career who want to change course or expand opportunities by pursuing a sommelier certification, chef's training, nutrition, hospitality, sustainable agriculture, bakery science and management, entrepreneurship for a food/beverage/hospitality business, or other areas that reflect the full range of career possibilities reflected in LDEI membership around the world. Please note: scholarships are paid only and directly to accredited institutions.
- Recipients must be planning to attend, or are enrolled in, an educational program targeted to a degree or certificate from an accredited college, culinary school or vocational program at the post-secondary level. Scholarships will be awarded directly to the recipient’s school in late summer or fall. The area of study must relate to and support the recipient’s career goal in the foods arena.
- Recipient must demonstrate a focus on and a passion to achieve her career goal.
- Recipients are invited and encouraged to attend at least one LDEI event per year and are expected to attend SupperClub or similar event. Or, they may also be invited to work with chefs at these events.
Criteria for award:
- 50% Career focus and goals
- 25% Recommendation(s)
- 15% Academics
- Reflecting the values of LDEI, including community involvement, service and philanthropic endeavors
Applications are available here for the coming school year. Be sure to note deadlines.
For more information on LDEI international, visit: www.ldei.org/ or follow the Kansas City chapter on Facebook: facebook.com/ldeikc/.