Les Dames d’Escoffier Seattle is pleased with its long-running supporters of various programs at Washington State University. Our primary support is an endowed scholarship named in the honor of Dame Gretchen Mathers, one of the founders of Les Dames in Seattle. We have provided scholarship to at least sixteen deserving candidates since we entered the endowment in 2007.

About WSU School of Hospitality Business Management 

The hospitality business management bachelor’s degree is designed to prepre students to succeed as a business manager in the hospitality industry and all that it encompasses: lodging and food-service operations, revenue management, sales, event planning, and consulting.

A major in wine business management—a first-of-its-kind interdisciplinary degree—brings together viticulture, enology, and business.

Students are provided many opportunities to learn and work in the hospitality industry across the United States and abroad. The school has faculty-led study-abroad programs in Switzerland, Italy, South Korea, Thailand, and other parts of the world. Industry partners and advisory board members regularly lecture on campus and recruit interns and graduates. For more information.

About Dame Gretchen Mathers

She was a dynamo who knew how to deliver. She helped develop Cool Whip, won the Nellie cashman Woman Business Owner of the Year award and was the first female president of the Washington Restaurant Association. Even though she grew up wanting to be the next Betty Crocker, she became a brand name herself. She was Gretchen, operating partner at Schwartz Brothers Restaurants and founder of the long-love Seattle cafe and catering company named Gretchen’s Of Course. She was a founding member of Les Dames d’Escoffier Seattle.

Meet our amazing team.

We’re a talented group of creative individuals interested in art, cinematography, design, music, and all niches in between.

Jordan Valkyrie

2013

I am a sophomore at Washington State University in the Hospitality Business Management Program. I try to stay very involved in the program, I am a student ambassador and lead worker in the HBM catering services. I did my internship over the summer at the Waterfront Marriott in Downtown Seattle and after school I want to work in the culinary department in a large scale luxury hotel and eventually become a culinary educator.

Jessica Murray

2008

I am dual degreeing in Hospitality Business Managment and Food Science. I have already completed a two year culinary program and and one year pastry arts program. I love the food service industry and the science behind it. This summer I am studying abroad in Italy taking food and wine courses. I can’t wait to combine my culinary and hospitality background with food science. After graduation I plan to work in product development for a few years before starting my own catering company. I love WSU and everything I am learning and greatly appreciate your support of my dreams.

Shannon M. Smith

2008

Currently a senior at WSU. She is the Hospitality Recruiting Ambassador and the operations manager of the Atrium Cafe located at the school. She is on the President’s Honor Roll and will graduate in 2009.