Welcome to the Birmingham Chapter of
Les Dames d’Escoffier International

The Birmingham chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) is an organization of resident leaders and experts in the food and beverage industries, and we are dedicated to growing, creating, promoting and sharing our local food culture—and on an even more basic level, sharing food itself.

The newest chapter of LDEI, we founded our group in 2013 with 55 members—making it one of the largest initial memberships in the history of the organization! We are chefs, restaurateurs, sommeliers, caterers, farmers, food retailers, event planners, cookbook authors, food journalists and photographers, test-kitchen professionals, food stylists, winemakers and wine-industry professionals, food publicists, food-service professionals, culinary educators and hospitality executives.

We are dedicated to creating a culture in our community that fosters excellence, and we are committed to sharing what we know through educational and charitable activities. We partner with local charitable food distribution organizations and have worked with The Community Food Bank to produce a two-page guide to simple holiday dishes using foods distributed by the Food Bank at mobile food pantries during November and December.

Additionally, we promote the achievement and advancement of fellow culinary professionals through mentoring efforts. And we are steadfast and enthusiastic advocates for our local food community and seek always to celebrate its diversity and uniqueness and time-honored traditions.

Learn more about the Birmingham Chapter of
Les Dames d’Escoffier International