Les Dames Chapter Awards Scholarships

Seattle chapter supports female culinary students.

Academic achievement, career goals, and community service are the ingredients for success for three outstanding Seattle Culinary Academy students who began fall quarter with 2004 scholarships from the Seattle Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier. The awards, which also include a financial need criterion, will help fund second year tuition at the SCA for Jayne Stuth-Wetherbee, Akane Takahashi, and Melinda Lee.

Stuth-Wetherbee’s award is the second to be made from a $37,000 endowment established by the local Les Dames chapter in 2002. The gift currently funds a full scholarship per year, and is the first of its kind ever made to the Seattle Central Foundation, specifically for the Seattle Culinary Academy.

A single mother of two small daughters, Stuth-Wetherbee has maintained a 3.95 GPA and plans to pursue a degree in nutrition and work with the aging population in a life care residential setting. She has volunteered as a guest speaker on food sanitation at Echo Glen Children’s Rehabilitation Center for Children, and various local LDEI events.

Takahashi, an international student from Hiroshima, Japan, was awarded an International Grant. Her ultimate goal is to open her own restaurant, utilizing the skills and knowledge gained in the SCA. In keeping with the LDEI’s status as an international society, the chapter saw the grant as an opportunity to take a global approach to its educational work.

The third honoree, Melinda Lee, earned a special achievement scholarship award. The 43-year old former accountant and mother of two decided to turn her passion for cooking into a career, and has not missemissed a single day of class as she pursues her interest in becoming a personal chef.

For more than a decade, the Les Dames Seattle chapter has awarded scholarships to culinary students throughout Washington state. The Seattle Culinary Academy endowment, however, is the largest donation ever made by Les Dames, and is the first of its kind ever made to the Seattle Central Foundation, specifically for the Seattle Culinary Academy.

Les Dames d’Escoffier International is a leadership culinary society composed of women who have not only achieved professional success, but who contribute significantly to their communities as well. Membership is by invitation. The Seattle Chapter is a veritable who’s who of the Pacific Northwest food and culinary industry, and includes Leslie Mackie (Macrina Bakery), Doreen McTigue (founder of Pagliaci), Christine Keff (Flying Fish), Gretchen Mathers (Gretchen’s Of Course), Jerilyn Brusseau (creator of Cinnabon secret recipe), Fran Bigelow (Fran’s Chocolates), Marcella Rosene (co-founder of Pasta & Co.), and Sally McArthur (owner/director of private cooking schools in Skagit Valley and the Chateau du Rivau, in Chinon, France).

The Seattle Culinary Academy at Seattle Central Community College is widely recognized for its tradition of outstanding culinary arts education. Since its inception 60 years ago, more than 5,000 students have received their culinary education at the college. Those same students today represent the backbone of the Pacific Northwest restaurant and food industry. The Academy’s Culinary Arts and Specialty Desserts & Breads Programs are accredited by the prestigious American Culinary Federation Educational Institute (ACFEI).

For additional information, contact the Seattle Culinary Academy at (206) 934-5424, or visit the website.