-Khwaish Jain | IMAWS
Creating a diverse workforce in India’s hospitality sector is crucial for a more inclusive and vibrant industry. Unfortunately, there’s often a lack of equal opportunities for everyone, especially between men and women. This unfairness is seen in schools, hiring practices, and the daily experiences of chefs and budding entrepreneurs. Traditional ideas sometimes make it challenging for women to have the same chances and respect as men.
It’s time to change this. In the journey toward a more diverse hospitality field, everyone, regardless of gender, should have an equal shot at success. Women, with their skills and passion, deserve fair pay, equal opportunities, and respect alongside their male colleagues.
To truly understand the challenges women face, we’ve had conversations with women actively involved in the industry. Their insights provide a roadmap for making the hospitality sector in India more welcoming and fair for everyone.
By breaking away from old beliefs and promoting equality, we can ensure that the hospitality industry becomes a space where diversity thrives, offering opportunities for everyone to succeed.
While talking about how women can perform well in commercial kitchens which was predominately dominated by male chefs, women has slowly changed their mindset and women are equally talented, Swetha, Consultant Chef- NPD & R&D said, “ Women’s opportunities in hotel management have grown, but challenges persist. Progress in breaking gender barriers is happening, influenced by media and TV. Cooking shows spotlighting chefs, regardless of gender, are changing views. Still, some parents discourage daughters from hotel management careers. Personally, I faced resistance from my parents, taking two years to convince them of my passion. In the West, both genders have long been chefs, a trend extending to Asia. This inclusivity challenges the idea that some jobs are only for one gender.”
She then added, “Historically, women feared male-dominated jobs due to stress and balancing concerns. However, modern women handle both work and home well, often surpassing men. The shift is evident in women smoothly transitioning from work to family responsibilities, including cooking. Despite notable progress in breaking gender barriers, more work is needed. Evolving mindsets, shaped by media and societal changes, show a positive trend. As women thrive in these roles, hopes rise for dispelling outdated beliefs, fostering a more inclusive future in hotel management.”
Saniya Puniani- Co Founder, Baking Bad spoke about how she is runs a women led business and focuses on talent rather than gender by stating, “Como Pizzeria started with a talented woman as our sous chef, leading our kitchen for five years. Despite her leaving, we’re committed to being a women-led business. Finding good women talent has been a bit tough, but we keep trying. Recently, we proudly hired a skilled bakery chef who is also a woman. We always aim to include women in our workforce, and our focus is on talent, regardless of gender. At Como, we believe in creating a diverse and supportive workplace, and we’re proud to have women contributing to our team’s success. Our goal is to continue being an inclusive and dynamic business that values everyone’s skills.”
She further added her views on the role stereotype that generally happens in the hospitality sector by saying, “Beyond the kitchen, we have women contributing to our service, bar, and guest relations teams at Como. In the restaurant industry, late-night hours are common, and understanding the challenges women may face during these times is crucial. Depending on the city and situation, we offer pick and drop services for our female team members to ensure their safety. While this presents challenges that need broader solutions, it’s essential to address concerns that might discourage hiring women. At Como, we are committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure that our female team members reach home safely, fostering an environment where everyone feels supported and secure.”
Talking about recognizing women’s potential for valuable contributions, Harshita Shah, Brand Manager, Universal Oleoresins stated that, “Gender bias is definitely present in the hospitality segment. We are a spice oleoresins manufacturing company and along with our industrial product catalog, we have products for both the food service industry as well direct to consumer . We deal with many industry stakeholders holders including chefs , hotel /cafe owners , retail sector for distributors, retail shop owners and more . Most of these are men , and we have interacted with very few women in the industry. This could be because of the high stress environment or the gentry . But I honestly believe that women can play a very important role in this highly male dominated field to bring about more structure, empathy and a better understanding of customer needs.”
Drasty Shah, Founder, TPC Lifestyle Hospitality Pvt Ltd also highlighted on women excelling in hospitality and are combating bias on daily basis and added, “In my ventures, where the majority of women form the backbone of our workforce, I’ve seen them rock this industry and witnessed firsthand the incredible talent, dedication, and innovation they bring to the table. Yet, I’ve also experienced the disheartening reality of gender bias, from educational institutions to restaurant kitchens and entrepreneurial journeys. It’s time we rewrite this narrative! The hospitality industry thrives on diversity, and welcoming all genders with open arms is not just the right thing to do, it’s the recipe for an even richer experience for everyone. Together, we can create a more vibrant, equitable, and successful space. It’s not just about breaking stereotypes; it’s about building a future where everyone can contribute their unique talents to this beautiful field.”
Adding to her views on gender diversity in the hospitality sector, Gayatri Bist, General Manager, Novotel Kochi Infopark stated, “Diversity is not about how we differ. It is about embracing one another’s uniqueness was said by Ola Joseph and I firmly believe on this saying and practise it as well.”
Also adding to her opinion on the gender sterotypes in the hospitality industry Nikita Harisinghani, Co-founder, Chrome Hospitality mentioned, “From unequal opportunities in hospitality schools to the disparities faced by chefs and aspiring entrepreneurs, gender stereotypes persist commonly in the hospitality industry. However, with new developments and changing mindsets, the industry has seen a positive shift and we are seeing more women taking interest in the subject. While fields like desserts and cafes are seeing more women, speciality restaurants and luxury hotels are still male dominated. It’s time to shatter these biases and create an inclusive environment, where both men and women receive equal opportunities, pay, and respect. Breaking the mold is not just a necessity; it’s a transformative step towards building a diverse and thriving workforce in the hospitality industry where talent knows no gender boundaries.”
Sonali Malik, Operations Head & the mixologist, Bayroute, emphasized that promoting gender diversity in hospitality is
crucial for innovation, creativity, and success, with a focus on actively supporting and promoting women at all organizational levels and continued saying, “ In the dynamic and ever-evolving world of hospitality, diversity plays a crucial role in driving innovation, fostering creativity, and ensuring the success of our industry. Championing gender diversity and empowering women is significant to thrive in the fast-paced and challenging environment of food and beverage. The importance of building a diverse workforce in the hospitality and F&B sector cannot be overstated. Women bring a unique perspective, creativity, and leadership style to the table, enriching the teams and enhancing the guest experience. By embracing diversity and creating an inclusive work environment, we not only attract top talent but also cultivate a culture of respect, equality, and collaboration.”
She further added, “Studies have consistently shown that companies with diverse leadership teams outperform their less diverse counterpart. In the fiercely competitive world of hospitality, where guest satisfaction is paramount, diversity is not just a luxury—it’s a strategic imperative. At Bayroute, we actively recruit and promote talented women at all levels of our organization, from line cooks to executive chefs, from servers to senior managers. We provide opportunities for professional growth and development, mentorship, and leadership training, ensuring women have the support and resources needed to succeed. It will not be false to say that this is a fortunate era to be a part of the F&B and hospitality industry since it embraces diversity and recognizes the invaluable contributions of women.”
Sarga A P, Commi 2 Bakery kitchen spoke on the difficulties of excelling in the hospitality industry and highlighted, “It’s not very easy to excel in an industry like hospitality. That too for a woman. As a chef, I’ve encountered challenges in this male-dominated industry. Long hours of work, inadequate time for rest, hormonal issues work-life balance, etc are battles that we have to fight regularly. Along with that, there were some unpleasant encounters with colleagues who should be supporting women at work and making them feel safe. However, I’ve never let gender bias deter me from pursuing my dreams. Standing up for my values and determination towards my goal has been crucial in overcoming obstacles. It’s about carving out a space where everyone, regardless of gender, can thrive and contribute to a more inclusive industry. Let’s continue to defy expectations and advocate for equality in the hospitality sector.”
The perspectives and narratives shared by women in India’s hospitality sector resonate with the overarching theme of breaking gender biases and fostering diversity. From Spice Oleoresins manufacturing to renowned pizzerias, women are making strides in traditionally male-dominated fields, challenging stereotypes, and contributing their unique talents. These stories underline the necessity of providing equal opportunities and respect, transcending traditional beliefs that hinder inclusivity. By engaging in open conversations, understanding challenges, and actively promoting equality, there is a collective call to rewrite the narrative of gender bias. The hospitality industry’s future, as envisioned by these women, embraces diversity, recognizes talent over gender, and strives to create vibrant, equitable, and successful spaces where everyone can contribute their distinctive skills to this beautiful field. Through these voices, the article calls for a collaborative effort to build a future where the industry thrives on the richness of diverse perspectives and experiences.
