women in the kitchen

Let's change the topic... for a moment. How about WOMEN. Presently, there are so many women in kitchens, and in the forefront... as chef's. Some of the most talented chef's I've met are women...What about your thoughts, input, advice. Where did you come from? How hard was your climb?
I think women in the kitchen bring a sense of nurturing.. After all, who fed you your first meal?

[Nicko]

Some of my favorite chefs are women! I have been a big fan of Lydia Shire for years. Got to meet her when I was at CIA when she did a cooking demonstration.

I don't care who is in my kitchen, as long as they can cook.

whatever, andrew. The point is that it is hard sometimes to be a woman and make it in the restaurant industry. the hours are grueling, the work is physically demanding, you have to remember to take care of yourself too, and for many women it is stepping beyond what you are expected to do. you have to be able to shoulder the burdens that the guys around you are taking on because kitchens run on teamwork and you can't slack. I'm not making some stand that women have it harder, but kitchen work is demanding for women. I have been really fortunate to work in kitchens that had a lot of women in them, or in which women were in important positions. they helped me with my work and they helped me get along with my fellow cooks. they looked out for me, and I think that womewn who are cooking professionally should continue to look out for each other.

Oh, Andrew, I would agree with you. As a matter of fact, majority of my kitchen is male. What I was referring to is how difficult it has been in the culinary industry for women to breakthrough into a relatively male dominated world. At least that was the case when I first began cooking professionally. Frankly, the topic is a way to get a few more women involved in the forums and they do have a loud voice these days. Okay, I'm off the soapbox.

Yes, kitchens are still a bit male dominated. At least where I am at. But everytime I have worked with a woman she has always been judged by the same criteria as the men. Can you cook. Yes, the average woman can't through around a fifty pound bag of onions as easy as the average male, but a womans sense of taste and smell are more highly developed than a mans. A desirable quality in any cook. I personally detest racism, sexism, ageism, etc.. so much I will not allow it to go on in my place of work.

[Pete]

I think the question of women in the kitchen is at best an out dated debate, at least among the new generation of chefs. Any chef worth anything judges a cook or fellow chef by their food and work ethic not whether they are male or female. If someone can hang in my kitchen they have a place there no matter what their sex, but if they cant hang then they go away, again no matter what their sex.
I know women who are great chefs and some who have no business in this industry, but that goes the same for men.

oh guys, I know it seems like a tired subject, but it's really not. If you were a women who has been cooking for a long time, and was subjected to a chauvinistic situation, you could relate better. I'm just trying to get a few women involved and express where they've come from and how they got there. I appreciate your idealistic ways but the reality is that in my culinary lifetime, it has been a battle.
Actually, I began this journey many years ago in California as a young woman trying to emerge triumphant in the man's world of surfing... then went on to forge my path in the culinary world.... So it's been a battle. It's refreshing to hear guys like you with no predjudices in your heads or in your kitchens. Wish I knew you back when...

Its really unfortunate that people are being judged for how they look, their gender, their sexual orientation, their race, etc..
instead of who they are and how they can contribute.

I was looking through old topics and came across this one to revive. Women in the kitchen have as much of a place as anyone. I have worked with some women/men(lets just say people) who have no business being in a kitchen. I still don't care who you are, if you can cook, you can be in my kitchen.

If you are interested in some very good literature, I have just read a book called "A Womans Place Is In The Kitchen" authored by Ann Cooper, published by Van Nostrad Rienhold. It is a very good book if you want to get an idea of what a woman goes through to get to the top.



[This message has been edited by chef_raymond (edited January 19, 2000).]

As a new addition to the field I am interested to hear your trials and tribulations(as well as triumphs), Carol.
My chefs at school were the worst for subscribing to the idea that women were meant for homecooking or pastry. Once they realised I had some talent that stopped. I have found that being a women you really have to prove yourself, but that may be magnified for me because I am so green. I have to work twice as hard, but it has paid off for me.

I must take issue with Kim's comments about the physical nature of the jobs we do. Yes, the job is **** on the body and mind, but it is hard on both the men and the women. Working long hours, standing, lifting, etc, etc, is tough on all of us. We cannot expect to be treated properly if we use being a women as an excuse, that is only going to make things worse. I lift things at work that some of the guys can't lift and I am smaller than all of them.

Sometimes being a women in a kitchen is an asset. I think the men are more accepting of a woman coming into a kitchen because they don't see us as a threat(they find out later they were wrong). I have had excellent experiences thus far and I must be doing something right because I have had job offers from chefs I didn't think would give me a second look. Bottom line-work hard and pull your weight.

Looking forward to hearing about your experiences--any advice is welcome.

Mel, my hat is off to you. You've entered the world at a good time. It used to be far more chauvenistic, when I started. I came from another male dominated world in professional sports and forged my way... for the young women today. You are right... carry your weight and prove yourself. That doesn't mean you won't have a fight now and then...There are threats and obstacles everywhere. I wouldn't be who I am and where I am without them. For that I am grateful.

Thank you, Carol, for making life easier for those of us just starting out. Believe me, it is appreciated. I have heard some horror stories. I am ready to fight when necessary it can't be easy all of the time.

[m brown]

Women in the kitchen..... I've been working in the kitchen for over half of my life.
It helps, as a woman, to be strong in mind, body and soul.
Working out helps a great deal, having a good osteopath to keep your body in line helps. Our bodies are built to carry varied and tremndous weight, it takes training not to harm it.
Reinventing yourself, Madonna has that one right, with each season reinvent your repitoir, for the better of course.
Women are capable.
Men and Women working together in harmony is bliss. Remember yin and yang.
Big Smiles.