Imagine the chance to work side by side for an entire week with award-winning masters in Washington State’s premier wine industry, Chicago’s exciting restaurant scene, or a small island resort in the British West Indies!

That dream could come true if you are the lucky winner of the 2010 Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI) Legacy Awards.

This year’s awards will be given in three categories:

Culinary: Hosted in Chicago by Dames Carrie Nahabedian, Chef/Owner of NAHA Restaurant, Deann Bayless, Owner of Frontera Grill, and JeanMarie Brownson, Culinary Director of Frontera Foods.

Wine: Hosted in Washington State by Dames Kay Simon, Winemaker/Owner of Chinook Winery, and Patricia Gelles, Managing Director/Owner of Klipsun Vineyards.

Hospitality: Hosted in Little Cayman Island by Dame Gladys Howard, Owner, Manager, and Executive Chef if Pirates Point Resort.

Established in 2009, each Legacy Award offers a one-week workplace experience to beginning or mid-career, non-Dame women in the U.S.A. and Canada. Candidates must have at least two years of experience and must be currently working in the food, beverage, or hospitality industries. Working beside Dames with award-winning credentials, the recipients will experience high energy, intense, career-expanding days and nights with extraordinary teams.

“The award fulfills the LDEI mission of education, advocacy, and philanthropy,” said Teresa Farney, president of LDEI. “By linking three deserving women with highly successful Dames in food, beverage, and hospitality, they will expand their education, and we will be advocating professional development in a philanthropic manner. It is hoped that they will, in turn, mentor other women in culinary careers perpetuating a lasting legacy.”

Travel and hotel accommodations for six nights will be reimbursed for each winner up to U.S. $2,000. Applications are now available and must be submitted by April 16, 2010. The second annual Les Dames d’Escoffier International Legacy Awards winners will be announced on May 15, 2010, and must be fulfilled by October 15, 2010.

Les Dames d’Escoffier International is an invitational organization of women leaders in food, beverage and hospitality whose mission is education, advocacy, and philanthropy. Presently, there are 27 chapters and 1500 members in the USA and Canada.

If you have any questions about the awards or entry process, please contact the Legacy Awards Chair, Lila Gault at (212) 242-5644 or email her at lila@gaultgreen.com.