August Monthly Meeting

Les Dames d'Escoffier, Claudia Lucero

Les Dames d’Escoffier (lay-dahm dezs-coffee-yay) International is a philanthropic organization of women leaders in the fields of food, beverage and hospitality. Our Portland chapter, established in 2015, comprises women restaurant owners, chefs, bakers, writers, authors, educators, wine makers, sommeliers, hospitality professionals and podcast creators. We support our communities through grants, scholarships and mentorship and aim to assist other women working toward similar career paths.

Claudia Lucero is the founder and cheesemaker behind Urban Cheesecraft, a company dedicated to making cheesemaking accessible and fun for all. Inspired by her childhood experiences with fresh Mexican cheeses, Claudia launched Urban Cheesecraft in 2009, starting with DIY cheese kits on Etsy. Today, her business includes dairy-free kits, team-building workshops, and partnerships with major retailers like Williams Sonoma and Whole Foods. A published author and passionate educator, Claudia continues to share her love for cheese through books, classes, and online resources at www.urbancheesecraft.com.