Nikita Tomar

Assistant Professor

School of Culinary and Hotel Management

Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies

Culinary Art: An art of food. If I ask you about one of the favorite food memory of your childhood, I am certain that many of you will travel back to the aroma and taste of your grandmother’s hand cooked wholesome food. Few will travel back to the familiar and cozy aroma of your mother’s kitchen. That’s the art created by all loving women in your life. But when we talk about today’s global culinary industry, do you think that this immense magic of a woman’s cooking has taken a backseat? 

In my opinion being from the hospitality background myself, I have noticed that women in culinary industry face much gender biasness and discrimination which ultimately results in limited opportunities for their growth in the sector. Almost only 10% of the leadership positions are occupied by female leaders in Indian Culinary Industry which makes mentor-mentee relationships more difficult for budding female chefs. Also the persisting gender pay gap for women of almost 19% less than men makes it more challenging for female culinary experts to sustain their financial independence in the industry. 

Breaking all the traditional biases I can assure that women will soon be sailing the high tide of culinary industry and will emerge as true captains. 

Chef Cyrus Daniels,

Corporate Chef, Ouro

Culinary Arts is an art, with diverse opportunities from cooking to management. Women in every field are achieving it big and have been a part of culinary arts since times immemorial. Creativity knows no gender and it’s not right for us to discriminate. Every field has its pros and cons. If the women folk who are very strong can get over the cons, we should only encourage rather than discourage, and create a more feasible and favourable working environment.

Long hours, high pressure and physical demands are a few of the challenges that one needs to meet when it comes to the kitchen. But these pressures are not gender-based. It’s up to the individual to take up these challenges. The culinary arts offer a dynamic career path for women, requiring leadership, creativity and love for the science of food preparation. When the ads are posted for a requirement of a chef, it does not specify gender, but the work requirements and qualifications. In my opinion, there is no gender bias when it comes to the culinary world.

There are plenty of female chefs who are legends and an inspiration in opening up opportunities for women to work in the kitchen as professional chefs. Right from Garima Arora (first Indian female to win Michelin Star chef ), Nigella Lawson, Shilpa Shetty – restaurateur, Late Tarla Dalal are just a few to name.. but there are many more who are truly an inspiration. Hands that can rock the cradle can rock the world. There is no better way to be inspired by women.