November 14, 2025 (Sonoma, CA) — Les Dames d’Escoffier Sonoma Chapter, a leading organization dedicated to supporting women in the culinary, fine beverage, and hospitality industries, is thrilled to announce the launch of its 2nd Annual Micro-Grant Offering. This initiative targets women leaders, students, entrepreneurs and other contributors within the related industries. The micro-grant is designed to provide financial assistance that can help bridge gaps, facilitate projects, or support educational endeavors.
Following the success of its inaugural program, which empowered several talented women with resources to grow their businesses and projects, the 2026 Micro-Grant Offering aims to reach even more innovators.
“Receiving a grant from Les Dames Sonoma was of course a welcome financial boost. However, the real impact for me was the drive to do something significant with this gift. Knowing this organization noticed and believed in my business propelled me to achieve my goal of building a tasting room at my location. When this group of women, whom I deeply admire, believes in me, the sky’s the limit,” said Clare Elaine (now a Dame) of Wooden Petal.
Up to three $1,500 grants are designed to help recipients realize creative projects, invest in professional development, or expand their culinary and hospitality ventures.
“Supporting women in our community has always been at the heart of our mission,” said Dame Liza Hinman, President of Les Dames d’Escoffier Sonoma. “These micro-grants provide not only financial assistance but also recognition of the talent, dedication, and creativity of women shaping the culinary and hospitality industries today.”
Applications for the 2026 Micro Grant Program will open on November 15, 2025 and close on January 31, 2026. Recipients will be announced in March 2026, with funds distributed shortly thereafter. Eligible applicants include women who live or work in the Sonoma Chapter’s service area (Marin, Mendocino, Napa, and Sonoma counties) and are actively pursuing projects or initiatives in the culinary, beverage, or hospitality sectors.
For more information, including grant guidelines and application instructions, please visit https://www.lesdamessoco.org/micro-grant-program.
About Les Dames d’Escoffier
Les Dames d’Escoffier is the only organization of its kind: a worldwide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality. Comprising of 45 individual chapters across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, England, France and Italy, LDEI is highly diversified and reflects the multifaceted fields of contemporary gastronomy and hospitality.
Upon being granted the original charter by Les Amis d’Escoffier, the first chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier was founded in New York in 1976. The Sonoma Chapter was formed in 2020. There are over 2500 members worldwide including chefs, culinary school proprietors, teachers, culinary historians, food editors, writers, hoteliers, vintners, wine merchants, distillers, restaurateurs, caterers, professors, chocolatiers, bakers, butchers, manufacturers, importers, and purveyors. www.lesdamessoco.org
