How to Ensure Your Professional Kitchen is More Inclusive for Women

Diversity and inclusivity are key concerns in every workplace, and the professional kitchen is no different. In fact, the culinary industry has long been a male dominated arena. Therefore, if you run a restaurant, café, or other type of catering business, it’s important to take steps to ensure that female members of staff feel comfortable and supported working there. Here are some tips on how to achieve that.

Foster a welcoming culture

It’s vital that the women who work for you feel welcomed and included right from the start of their employment. Make an effort to provide a comprehensive onboarding process for all new staff, for example by introducing them to existing employees, showing them how the kitchen operates, and catching them up on the history and future plans of the company. This can help to ensure that no one feels as though they’ve been thrown in at the deep end with no guidance or connections. You could also consider some kind of mentoring program, where new female staff are paired up with women already working in the kitchen for support and guidance.

Have more diverse uniform options

The traditional chef’s uniform was originally designed with male cooks in mind and can cause difficulties for female chefs. Not only are they uncomfortable, they can also be dangerous. For instance, sleeves that are too baggy might catch on an open flame and pant legs that are too long create a trip hazard. Thankfully, this problem is easy to fix because you can order chef coats fitted specifically for female chefs, which both look good and are fully functional. They come in an array of styles, so you’ll be able to find an option that matches your restaurant’s aesthetic.

Consider relevant staff training courses

If you fear that there is something of an old boys’ club mentality in your kitchen, it might be helpful to send staff on a diversity training course. This is especially important for those who are in supervisory positions. It can be done online or in person, and often involves role play scenarios to get participants actively engaged in the program. Even if you don’t think there’s an issue with inclusivity in your workplace, such training can be helpful for shining a light on concerns you might not have noticed.

Be open to new ideas

Change and development is an important part of making a kitchen more inclusive, so be open to ideas from your staff about how you might be able to improve or help them. This could be in the form of an anonymous online survey, an open-door policy, or a physical suggestion box where employees can leave notes.

Lead by example

Whenever you want to make changes and improvements in the workplace, it’s vital to lead by example. For instance, if you decide to send your staff on diversity courses, make sure that you also attend them yourself. If there are behaviors or procedures that need updating, you need to be the first to implement those changes. This proves that you’re genuinely committed to an inclusive kitchen, and it will inspire others to follow suit.