Les Amis d'Escoffier Societies

Auguste Escoffier, who became known as the "King of Chefs and the Chef of Kings," was perhaps the greatest culinary artist of modern times. He defined for his profession the art of modern French cooking particularly in the late 1880's and early 1900's. His association with Ceasar Ritz and fine hotels such as the Savoy and Carlton Hotels in London set the stage for classic French Cuisine. He died in 1935.     

To honor his achievements several organizations of Les Amis d'Escoffier were formed, first in New York City 1936, Boston 1937, Chicago (Affiliated with the ACF) and others as New England, San Diego, Albany and Nashville created chapters under charter, yet they all remain as independent associations. All chapters are a fraternity of true epicures and connoisseurs that is dedicated to the propagation of the high standards and ethics of the culinary profession. It was created to perpetuate the memory of the great culinary master. 

Sometime in the early 1980's Chef Stanley J. Nicas the Chairman of the New York Chapter granted a charter to the New England Les Amis d'Escoffier Chapter and set its home to be the Castle Restaurant in Leicester, MA. Then on Nov. 16, 1981, at The Castle Restaurant in Leicester, Mass., the New England Chapter of the Les Amis d’Escoffier Society honored Joseph Donon (A chef who worked under Escoffier who moved to America) at its annual dinner. On this occasion, Ferdinand E. Metz, CMC, AAC, then-president of the ACF, presented Donon with a special award. Donon was also honored with an honorary membership in the Honorary Order of the Golden Toque. Joseph Donon died five months later, on March 19, 1982. Then after, it was known as Les Amis d'Escoffier New England, Joseph Donon Chapter. 

Chef Stanley J. Nicas died at 91 in 2014. His son James and daughter Evangeline took the helm of the Castle restaurant and of administering the society's membership and social events. A fine-dining destination for 71 years, the Castle Restaurant was sold in 2020 according to James Nicas. In the transition, and now after the death of his sister, James looking to the future, has found a new home for the society. For all involved and all of its members from across New England it will now be stationed at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. In addition the society will now become a 501 (c)(3) non-profit registered in the state of Rhode Island with the purpose of offering educational scholarships to high school students, college students and hospitality professionals looking to further their education and/or obtain certifications, and engage in other purposes permitted to be conducted by an organization exempt from taxes.