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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
at the Cleveland Garlic Festival in Shaker Square

Applications Due July 24

Les Dames d ’Escoffier International (LDEI) Cleveland Chapter is once again holding a business pitch competition for female entrepreneurs in the food, beverage, hospitality or related industries operating in Northeast Ohio.

Both women-owned start-up businesses and established businesses are eligible to apply. Members of LDEI are not eligible.

If you are selected as a finalist, you are expected to make an in-person, 15-minute pitch to our panel of judges at the Cleveland Garlic Festival in Shaker Square on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Winners will be selected at the above event, with cash prizes awarded for First Place ($3,000), Second Place ($2,000) and Third Place ($1,000). All finalists will also receive an opportunity to promote their products and services at a North Union Farmer’s Market booth at a date to be determined, as well as receive mentorship and support from the Cleveland Dames.

APPLY by July 24, 2026

To apply, email the following information to Britt-Marie Horrocks, Chapter President or Destiny Burns, Pitch Competition Chair no later than July 24, 2026:

• Completed and Signed Application Form (download below)
• A copy of business Vendor’s License
• A copy of W-9 from your business

Note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

You will be notified no later than July 31 of the results of your application or finalist selection.

2025 LDEI Pitch Competition Winners
$6000 Awarded

Female entrepreneurs in Northeast Ohio’s food, beverage, and hospitality industries competed on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at the Cleveland Garlic Festival for a chance to secure $6,000 in grant funding from the Cleveland Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI).

Now in its third year, the LDEI Cleveland Pitch Competition spotlighted three outstanding finalists—selected from a pool of 13 applicants across the region—who presented their businesses before a panel of professional judges. Cleveland Dame Lisa Sands of the CLE Foodcast served as emcee for the competition.

Congratulations to our three winners!

• First Place ($3,000): Jewels Rossi, Owner, Mangia Dolce
  An experience-driven catering company offering barista and bartending services from authentic European Market vehicles. Rossi plans to use the grant to invest in a new European-inspired food truck to expand her fleet.
• Second Place ($2,000): Jennifer Taggart, Owner, Lake Erie Scoops
  A Gordon Square-based sweet shop featuring premium homemade ice cream, frozen treats, candy, novelty sodas, and baked goods. Taggart plans to use the grant funding to purchase a new high voltage freezer and generator to be able to better promote her ice creams and cold products on the road.
• Third Place ($1,000): Markisha Parker, Founder and CEO, Parker Farms
  An urban farm in Warren, OH producing high-quality tomatoes, vegetables, and herbs on small parcels of land.

Judges for this year’s competition included: Emma Visnic, Director of Marketing and Communication of the North Union Farmers Market, Dame Tina Chamoun, Founder of Terranean Spices, Spreads & Snacks, and Michele Smolin, Attorney.

“Each year, we are inspired by the innovation and determination of the women entrepreneurs who are shaping the future of food and hospitality in Northeast Ohio,” said Dame Britt-Marie Horrocks, President of the LDEI Cleveland Chapter. “Our Pitch Competition not only provides these hard working women with critical funding to grow their business but also celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit that fuels our community.”

Who won the previous two 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!