This business is still very male dominated, but women are making inroads into this field. There are many great women out there, and not just in pastry land, though those women need to be given their due also. Women such as Susan Goin, Susan Spicer, Traci des Jardins, Gale Gand, Claudia Fleming, come to mind right away, without even given it any thought. Sure this business is not for every female, just like it's not for every male. It's a hot, stressful environment, often very testosteron driven, at times. I have worked with many women, in the kitchen and I have no problems working beside women as long as they can handle (I feel the same way about men also). I treat all the women in my kitchens the same as the men in my kitchen. I don't work them any harder then the men, but I also won't work them any less hard either. Anyone, male or female, that can handle my kitchens and can cook is welcome, and anyone, male or female, that can't hack it can just keep on walking. All I care about is their skills as a cook. I don't care if they are male, female, black, hispanic, white. ****, they can be from Mars for all I care, as long as they can cook and have the right attitude.