Forget basketball and March Madness. Instead, think March is National Women’s History Month. Hats — well, toques — off to groups that honor women in the kitchen. First among these is Les Dames d’Escoffier, the distaff side of the all-male and very prestigious Les Amis d’Escoffier Society. But unlike its male counterpart, founded for like-minded amateur gastronomes, Les Dames d’Escoffier accepts only women professionals in the food and hospitality industries — including chefs, wine experts, food journalists, publicists, cookbook authors and cooking teachers.

Launched in New York City in 1976 by Dame Carol Brock with an initial 50 members, Les Dames d’Escoffier, under the heading Les Dames d’Escoffier International, now numbers 26 chapters with almost 1,200 members. It has taken great strides forward for women, who have not always found equal footing in the kitchen.