Who We are
Les Dames d’Escoffier is a world-wide 501(c)3 non-profit philanthropic society of professional women who are leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage, and hospitality. The Philadelphia Chapter is made up of a diverse group of chefs, winemakers, restaurateurs, writers, food artisans, and many other food professionals dedicated to giving back to their community. Our mission is to recognize and champion women in culinary fields and support the next generation through mentorship and scholarship.
Alethia Erwin
President
Philadelphia Chapter President
alethia (Leigh) Erwin
Alethia Erwin has been in the foodservice industry since 1988 and is accomplished in a broad range of specialties including restaurant management, staffing, cooking, serving, bar-tending, organizing, planning, catering, and overseeing events. From 2005-2014, Alethia was General Manager for Geechee Girl Rice Cafe, a critically acclaimed 50 seat restaurant in Philadelphia, PA where she managed the Front of the House, planned and executed catering events, served as prep and line cook, and recruited, hired, and trained staff. She was also instrumental in menu planning and recipe development. More recently Alethia served as the Events Manager for Material Culture, where in addition to overseeing events, she was responsible for staffing and for training front-of-the-house employees.
Alethia also independently plans and caters for events, using the Geechee Girl imprint.
Interested in joining us?
Candidates for membership are professional women who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in professional and philanthropic capacities and who have been actively engaged full-time for a minimum of five (5) years in careers in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries.
The Philadelphia Dames Chapter is comprised of women that are chefs, restaurant owners, caterers, dietitians, sommeliers, product developers, culinary instructors, food service managers, small business owners, farmers, lawyers, cookbook authors, winemakers, brewers, media spokespeople, food stylists, journalists and more! We all reside in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, or Northern Delaware
We are dedicated to educating the community and each other while supporting like-minded women professionals, providing scholarship, mentorship, and recognition among our members in the Philadelphia region and beyond. We are one of 44 chapters of Les Dames d’Escoffier International currently located in the United States, Mexico, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Italy.
If you are interested in joining our group, please complete the membership application. Applications are reviewed on a quarterly basis. We look forward to hearing from you!