Press

Spring 2023 | Edible Cleveland, "Legacy of Les Dames"

Feb. 2020 | Currents, "Les Dames d'Escoffier women thrive in the culinary industry"

Support our Grants & Scholarships

Pitch Competition

Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 5:00 pm
at the Cleveland Garlic Festival in Shaker Square

Join LDEI Cleveland at the Cleveland Garlic Festival in Shaker Square on Saturday, August 29 (5:00pm) for its annual PITCH COMPETITION!

Female entrepreneurs in the food, beverage, or hospitality industries operating in Northeast Ohio (both women-owned start-up businesses and established businesses) were invited to apply, and the finalists have been chosen!

Congratulations to our three finalists:

• Saidah Farrell & Adenike Harper – KneadED, a cooperative bakery and cocoa café
  “We exist to offer a collective space for cottage and home bakers to sell their baked goods all year round. We also offer baking classes to adults and youths. Our youth program marries mental health wellness and life lessons that baking can teach, as well as STEM…”
  
  KneadED would use the prize money to purchase five additional KitchenAid mixers, allowing more students to participate in their hands-on baking classes.
• Nicole Watters – Nicole’s Café
  Nicole owns and manages Nicole’s Café, located inside the Akron Municipal Courthouse in downtown Akron. Recognizing that the courthouse and downtown area are still recovering from the impact of COVID-19, Nicole would use the prize money to purchase two refrigerated vending machines, allowing her to offer food and beverages 24/7 rather than closing at 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
• Lindsey King – Walkie Talkie Espresso and Coffee
  Lindsey owns the only neighborhood coffee shop in Canton. She renovated a 100-year-old service station and was recognized with an award from the Canton Preservation Society for her work. Walkie Talkie reinvests in the community, partners with nonprofits and local artists, and is committed to being a safe space for everyone. And, of course, Lindsey’s creative seasonal drinks are a major part of what makes the shop special! Prize money would help her invest in a commercial glass-door refrigerator for grab-and-go offerings and a new pastry case, making the business more sustainable and helping it continue to be “a bright light in our community.”

Come cheer on our finalists Saturday, August 29!

Come meet these awesome women and hear their pitches at the main events tent at the Cleveland Garlic Festival at 5pm on Saturday, August 29 where we’ll be awarding prizes of $1000, $2000, and $3000! You can also meet our finalists at the Shaker Square North Union Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 22, from 8 am to noon.

Who won the previous three years? Check them out!

About LDEI: We are a philanthropic organization of women leaders in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries. Our membership is highly diversified (with 2,400 members in 44 chapters across the USA, Canada, UK, Mexico, and Italy) and reflects the fields of contemporary gastronomy and hospitality. We support our communities through grants, scholarships, and mentorship. Prospective members must have at least five years of relevant industry experience to apply to become a Dame.

We welcome donations in any amount to support these efforts! THANK YOU!