On alternating years, Les Dames d'Escoffier International bestows the honor of naming a woman as Grande Dame of Les Dames d'Escoffier International. This honorary title is given in recognition of extraordinary and unusual contributions to the fields of food, wine, other fine beverage, nutrition, the arts of the table, or other fields that relate to these disciplines. This title may be awarded to both non-members and members of Les Dames d'Escoffier.