April 1, 2025 Sonoma, CA – The Sonoma Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier (LDEISC) is proud to announce the inaugural recipients of its 2025 Micro-Grant Program, an initiative designed to support women advancing their careers in the food, fine beverage, hospitality, and agriculture industries.
After a highly competitive selection process, three outstanding women have been awarded $1,000 grants to invest in their professional growth, business expansion, and industry education.
2025 Micro-Grant Award Recipients:
- Clare Elaine, Wooden Petal (Santa Rosa, CA) – Baker
With a lifetime of experience in hospitality, Clare has found her ideal work scenario in her small-batch pretzel shop, Wooden Petal, in Sonoma County. Focused on simplicity, quality, and community, she thrives on knowing her customers by name and welcoming new regulars daily. The grant will support marketing strategies and brand awareness efforts to elevate Wooden Petal beyond its beloved “hidden gem” status.
- LaShay Delaney, Lavern’s Fine Wine (Los Angeles, CA) – Wine Educator & Blogger
Grant Purpose: Expanding a diverse wine blog to create a larger pla_orm for women and BIPOC professionals in wine and food. The grant will also support LaShay’s WSET Level 3 cerIficaIon, strengthening her expertise and influence in the industry.
- Lani Chan, Big Spoon Sauce Co. (Sebastopol, CA) – ArIsan Sauce Maker
Grant Purpose: A full brand overhaul, including updated packaging, marketing materials, and labels to enhance brand identity while ensuring continuity and growth.
The evaluation committee was deeply impressed by the quality and vision of the applicants, selecting winners who clearly articulated their needs and demonstrated how the grant would impact their business, message, or education.
“While still in our early years, having been established in 2020, the Sonoma Chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier is rooted in a paying-it-forward mentality. We are committed to supporting women in food, fine beverage, hospitality, and agriculture—not just through encouragement, but through ac3on. By raising funds throughout the year and dedica3ng dollars to women advancing their education or building their businesses, we aim to be a trusted community of peers who can be relied on.”
— Dame Nicole Rogers, Grants & Mentorship Committee Chair, LDEI Sonoma Chapter, Owner of
GriffJack & True Origin Foods
This year’s Micro-Grant Program marks just the beginning. LDEISC is committed to long-term fundraising, with the goal of increasing both the size and number of grants in the future. The chapter strives to be a deeply loyal and resourceful network, providing continuous support to women as they navigate their professional journeys.
For more information on the Les Dames d’Escoffier Sonoma Chapter Micro-Grant Program, visit: https://www.lesdamessoco.org/micro-grant-program
About Les Dames d’Escoffier
Les Dames d’Escoffier is the only organization of its kind: a worldwide philanthropic society of professional women leaders in the fields of food, fine beverage and hospitality. Comprising of 45 individual chapters across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico, England, France and Italy, LDEI is highly diversified and reflects the multifaceted fields of contemporary gastronomy and hospitality.
Upon being granted the original charter by Les Amis d’Escoffier, the first chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier was founded in New York in 1976. The Sonoma Chapter was formed in 2020. There are over 2500 members worldwide including chefs, culinary school proprietors, teachers, culinary historians, food editors, writers, hoteliers, vintners, wine merchants, distillers, restaurateurs, caterers, professors, chocolatiers, bakers, butchers, manufacturers, importers, and purveyors. www.lesdamessoco.org
