Cleveland-area chef to receive prestigious culinary award

MEDINA COUNTY, Ohio — Her cooking abilities are already well-known in northeast Ohio, however now an space chef is being acknowledged on the worldwide stage. 

The award acknowledges extraordinary lifetime contributions throughout the meals, beverage and hospitality industries. 

Each different yr, recipients are decided by nominations and votes from LDEI’s 2,400 members in 43 chapters all over the world.

“LDEI’s Grande Dame Award is likely one of the highest honors for a lady in,” LDEI President Deborah Mintcheff stated. “We’re extraordinarily proud to rejoice these two profitable, inspirational girls with the 2022 Grande Dame Award. Their accomplishments are nothing in need of phenomenal.”

“It’s simply actually humbling to obtain the award,” Shaffer stated.

Shaffer isn’t solely a chef, she’s additionally an meals teacher and has written a number of cookbooks.

As well as, she used to run “What’s Cooking?,” a kitchen retailer, cooking faculty and catering firm in Cleveland.

“I took some courses with Julia Youngster and I used to be like ‘I really like this,’” stated Shaffer, who began off with a profession in human sources earlier than shifting from a cubicle to a kitchen.

Very similar to Julia Youngster, Shaffer admits she’s had a couple of kitchen mishaps.

“Even at present there are issues that I attempt to I cook dinner and I believe ‘hmmm okay, I’m simply by no means going to make this once more, however I’ll eat it,’” she stated.

At age 70, Shaffer says she’s on to her subsequent journey.

“I’m taking actual property courses,” she stated. “You must stick your neck on the market and comply with your ardour.”