Les Dames D’Escoffier Scholarship Winners

KCC student Melissa Ruiz Diaz

Kingsborough Freshman Is 1 Of 16 2021 Les Dames D’Escoffier Scholarship Winners

Melissa Ruiz Diaz, who transferred to Kingsborough Community College this past spring, got one of the most exciting pieces of news of her life recently.

The 18-year-old Borough Park resident has been named the recipient of the 2021 Kingsborough Culinary Advancement Scholarship by Les Dames d’Escoffier New York (LDNY), an organization of accomplished professional women in the food, nutrition, fine beverage, and hospitality industries.

“I couldn’t believe it. It’s such a prestigious thing,” Melissa recalls when she received the news. “I remember calling my friends and telling them I got it. Everyone was so excited for me.”

Formally presented during a virtual ceremony in July, LDNY awarded $79,000 in scholarships to 16 women pursuing hospitality degrees with a commitment to advancement and philanthropy. Since 1977, LDNY has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships, many in partnership with corporate benefactors, to over 1,000 recipients.

Melissa, who is majoring in culinary arts at Kingsborough, said her ultimate goal is to own her own bakery. “For now, I just want to learn everything I can about the culinary arts. That’s the main reason I’m at Kingsborough, to learn as much as I can,” she said.

About Les Dames d’Escoffier New York (LDNY)
LDNY is the founding and largest chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International (LDEI), an experienced 501c3 non-profit organization. LDNY’s vision is guided by three objectives: Education, Advocacy and Philanthropy. LDNY ‘s mission is to advance and support aspiring professional women in food and beverage, and champion critical industry issues.

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08/20/25

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