LDEI Launches ‘Culinary Legends’ Live Online Series with Dame Grace Young
Renowned Chef and Author Joins LDEI Live Online to Share Insights, Inspire and Connect with the Culinary Community
New York, NY (May 12, 2025) – Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI), a renowned global organization of women leaders in the food, beverage, and hospitality industries, introduces a new addition to their LDEI Live Online webinar series—Culinary Legends. Kicking off with Grace Young, the inaugural session will take place on May 12, 2025. Designed to inspire, educate, and connect, the webinar series is a dynamic hub for knowledge exchange, offering unparalleled access to the expertise and insights of LDEI members.
Taking place virtually on Monday, May 12, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Eastern Time, this one-hour conversation will offer an intimate glimpse into Grace Young’s extraordinary journey in food. The event will be moderated by acclaimed journalist and fellow Dame Bonnie Benwick, and promises to explore the people, stories, and passion that have shaped Grace’s impactful career.
Grace Young has spent her life honoring the legacy of Chinese culinary traditions while using her platform to advocate for vibrant, diverse communities, most notably through her work to protect America’s Chinatowns. From her start as a food stylist intern to her role as Test Kitchen Director for Time Life Books, Grace’s devotion to culture, cuisine, and community continues to inspire generations of chefs, writers, and food lovers.
“We are thrilled to launch our Culinary Legends series with someone whose work so perfectly embodies the mission and spirit of LDEI,” said Stephanie Jaeger, LDEI President. “Grace Young is not only a culinary legend, but also an inspiration to our membership and the food world.”
This new series reaffirms the organization’s unwavering commitment to supporting and empowering women across the food, beverage and hospitality industries. By honoring trailblazers like Grace Young and investing in the next generation of culinary leaders, LDEI continues to foster a dynamic community where women can connect, grow, and thrive.
For more information about Les Dames d'Escoffier International and upcoming LDEI Live Online sessions, visit www.ldeiliveonline.com.
WHEN:
LDEI Culinary Legends: Dame Grace Young
In conversation with Dame Bonnie Benwick
May 12, 2025
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET
Register HERE
Free for LDEI members
$10 for non-members
About Les Dames d’Escoffier International
LDEI is an international organization of women leaders who create a supportive culture in their communities to achieve excellence in the fields of food, beverage, and hospitality. The organization’s 2,600 members in 40 chapters in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and Italy provide leadership, educational opportunities, and philanthropy. Since its founding in 1985, LDEI chapters have raised and donated more than $10 million to educational, community non-profits, and philanthropic organizations. For more information, visit www.ldei.org and follow LDEI on Instagram @lesdamesintl and Facebook @LDEIdamesdescoffier.
About Grace Young
A James Beard Award-winning author, Grace Young is best known for her work preserving Chinese culinary traditions, particularly wok cookery. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she has also been at the forefront of efforts to support Chinatowns across the U.S., earning her national acclaim for cultural and culinary advocacy. (Photo credit: Zabrina Deng)
About Bonnie Benwick
Bonnie Benwick is a veteran journalist best known for her work with The Washington Post, where she served as deputy Food editor and led the paper’s test kitchen. Today, she continues to support the culinary world as a freelance editor, recipe tester, and nonprofit leader.
Looking ahead, LDEI is thrilled to announce a dynamic lineup of expert-led webinars each month covering a wide range of topics. Upcoming sessions will dive deep into exciting discussions with industry leaders on subjects such as the art of chocolate, meal planning with the Mediterranean diet, entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry, stories from culinary legends, and more. These engaging webinars aim to provide valuable insights and inspire members to explore new areas of expertise while fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse food and beverage world.
Madeleine Nasch