How to Succeed as A Female Chef In The Male-Dominated Culinary World
Women make good cooks. Yet the top chefs in the world are men. Female chefs seldom take the lead in the culinary world.
As of 2022, about 7% of Michelin-starred restaurants in the U.S. are led by females. Meanwhile, 8% of Michelin restaurants are women-led in the U.K.
However, there are no female chefs leading Michelin restaurants in Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, and Singapore. Oddly enough, only one female chef runs a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Nordic region. In the same region, a study shows 63 Michelin restaurants are run by males.
The culinary world is male-dominated. Despite the strides women have made, there’s still a lot of work to be done.
How do you carve out your space and succeed as a female chef? Well, you’re not out of luck. There are some strategies that can help you grow, thrive, generate income, and build a lasting presence in the culinary world. Let’s explore them.
#1 Set up a Food Truck
Want to dip your toes into the restaurant world without the long-term commitment of opening a brick-and-mortar spot? Set up a food truck.
Food trucks have emerged as a major culinary trend in the United States over the past two decades. They allow chefs to bring their unique cuisine to a wider audience. It’s a great way to earn money, so give it a try.
Set up a restaurant-on-wheel and offer culinary delights that are hard to come by in most brick-and-mortar restaurants.
A food truck is mobile, so you have the freedom to test the menu according to the location. Is your target audience’s guilty pleasure Korean BBQ tacos, burritos, and sliders? Do they prefer them over chicken or falafel served over rice with pita?
Craft a menu that features inventive, mouthwatering options like Korean beef bulgogi tacos. Want to boost foot traffic to your food truck? On weekends, offer a carte du jour with a Hawaiian-Korean fusion, like tantalizing sliders, tacos, and signature kimchi rice bowls.
Some of the best women-led food trucks in the U.S. are Makina Cafe in New York City, Sunny Up in Seattle, and Bamba Eggroll Company in Louisville.
#2 Sell Your Own Line of Products
If you have mastered a special recipe or are known for a particular ingredient, why not monetize it?
Think about what makes your cooking unique—maybe it’s your signature spice blend, homemade sauces, or gourmet baked goods. Pack and sell them for a steady revenue stream.
Many female chefs have found success selling products that reflect their personal style of cooking—whether that’s gourmet baked goods, artisanal condiments, or ready-made meal kits.
People also love baked goods. If you’re good at baking, consider selling them. A recent survey has found that cookies, cakes, and other treats remain top sellers. Over half of shoppers indulge in them at least weekly.
You can start by selling at local farmers’ markets or partnering with local stores. But remember, you won’t reap as much profit as you can by selling your creations directly.
To maximize your earnings, set up an online store. That, you’d argue, is expensive. You’re right, but it will cost an arm and leg when you hire a professional web developer. We advise you against it.
Use AI-powered website builders instead. Their AI wizards will set up your store from scratch in as little as five minutes.
Look for website builders, Hocoos suggests, that do not create cookie-cutter stores with generic themes and useless text. An AI website builder that works alongside you is the best. Meaning, you should choose an AI builder that asks questions to figure out your needs and construct a store that is tailored to your needs.
#3 Write a Cookbook
Do you boast a collection of beloved recipes? Write a cookbook, then.
A well-written cookbook will add to your credibility as a chef as well as allow you to reach people beyond your local area.
You don’t need a big publisher to get started; self-publishing options are plentiful. Platforms like Blurb or Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing allow you to publish your book digitally or in print.
Whether you focus on a specific theme or cuisine you’re passionate about, include plenty of engaging stories, beautiful photos, and tips to make it stand out.
Marketing will help you get the word out. Promote your book on social media and at local events. Your cookbook will not only boost your profile as a chef, but also earn you royalties.
If you’re wondering how to kick off, snag a copy of Jerrelle Guy’s Black Girl Baking, Simply Julia by Julia Turshen, or Chef Whitney Otawka’s cookbook Saltwater Table for inspiration.
Succeeding as a female chef in the male-dominated culinary world is tough. But there are countless ways you can leverage your skills and creativity to make money. These are just a few examples of how you can carve out a rewarding and profitable career.
Keep pushing the boundaries and embrace the opportunities that come your way. Rest assured, you’ll thrive in the culinary world while making a solid income.