[left4bread]

Hi! Miss seeing your show...
You were kind of an ...inspiration... for me. Thank you.
There's already a post talking about televised food shows, and one about locally sourced foods, so I'll just read your replies to those threads.

I remember, from one of your shows, you saying that it was hard for women to get into the industry. Was that a personal experience, given the times, or do you honestly feel that way in these days? (on a professional level, not TV personality wise).
I'm really interested to know how you feel about this subject.

[Sara Moulton]

I have been working in the industry for 30 years (I started when I was 12...not) and I have to say it is finally better for women, but not best. Since European chefs have stopped dominating the restaurant world (and don't get me wrong I really appreciate what they have brought to this country, especially the French) woman have been able to break in much more to the mainstream. European chefs don't believe that women belong in the kitchen.
I still think it is easier for women to get jobs in restaurants if they go to cooking school first, because that gives them a head start. the problem is that alot of women go to cooking school and then believe the hype that they are not equipped to work in professional kitchens - they can't stand the heat, lift pots, etc which is ridiculous. so they don't pursue it. The other problem and I don't have an answer to this one, is what to do when it is time to have kids. I am a feminist to the core but I believe that children really need their mothers. I worked in restaurants for 7 years and then left when it was time to have kids. I never went back to full time restaurant work after that.

[left4bread]

Originally Posted by Sara Moulton

...the problem is that alot of women go to cooking school and then believe the hype that they are not equipped to work in professional kitchens - they can't stand the heat, lift pots, etc which is ridiculous. so they don't pursue it.

That seems to be a running theme for BOTH sexes.
I think that television has saturated people with a glamorized view of what it is to be a chef, so people go into school thinking that they're just going to become a chef in a year or two not realizing how much work there is to do and how little there is to be made. I'm not a big fan of the kitchen dramatization programs, if you can't tell. Just my opinion.

I'm always glad when a female drops off a resume at the right time and gets hired. I like a co-ed kitchen. It's a different dynamic, and I can't really put my finger on the reason why, so I won't try to.
When I think of the cooks/chefs that I've worked with that have influence me and impressed me the most, at least half of them are female. I guess what I'm saying is that a strong leader is a strong leader, regardless of sex.

Do you mean maternity leave or taking years off to raise children? Because in the last few months we've had three males take time off (weeks) for maternity... Meh, I guess it depends on where you live maybe.

Thanks for visiting the forums!

[Sara Moulton]

I also like a mix in the kitchen. I worked with all men and that was not a happy situation for me (sort of like a locker room), I worked with all women and we tended to get on the same cycle. Once a month we would all be crying or yelling at each other on the back stairs to the restaurant. and I worked with a mix. the best.

I did not mean maternity leave, (glad to hear that men are taking that time off too), I meant taking time to raise children. When you work in a restaurant you are married to it and children (and spouses) need more attention than that. it is fine when you are young and have no commitments but it becomes complicated later on.

[left4bread]

Originally Posted by Sara Moulton

I also like a mix in the kitchen. I worked with all men and that was not a happy situation for me (sort of like a locker room), I worked with all women and we tended to get on the same cycle. Once a month we would all be crying or yelling at each other on the back stairs to the restaurant. and I worked with a mix. the best.

Hear, hear. I edited my previous post to not be offensive to someone who might be overly sensitive to statements regarding sex. But you've obviously been in the same situations as me and see the same point. All guys = obscene lewdness; all gals = well, what you said.

Originally Posted by Sara Moulton

The other problem and I don't have an answer to this one, is what to do when it is time to have kids. I am a feminist to the core but I believe that children really need their mothers. I worked in restaurants for 7 years and then left when it was time to have kids. I never went back to full time restaurant work after that.

Hmmmmm... I think that 7 years is plenty to work a line. I know that there are some salty dogs here on the forum (and more so, in the world) who may disagree, but that line cooking job is for people in their 20's - 30's. After that you re-assess and find a job that is in the field, but doesn't require as much of your (literal) sweat. And if you have children somewhere in that mix, bully for you.
You seem to have done this with great success, and I think that you are a figurehead, someone who has risen to the top by virtue of your skills regardless of real life hurdles, whatever they may be.
People look up to you.
Kudos to you and your success, you deserve it.