Michael Caines backs Female Chefs' Development Programme
Organised by sector skills council People 1st, The Women 1st Female Chefs’ Development Programme will teach female chefs confidence, assertiveness and leadership skills.
This year’s programme will be made available to 45 female chefs, and will be delivered externally over six sessions held in various locations across the UK. People 1st has secured public funding for the new project but employers will have to pay a small fee.
Michael Caines, a partner and director at the ABode hotel chain, said: “This is a truly inspired initiative as the gender gap amongst chefs needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. This programme is a fantastic opportunity to highlight the importance of attracting women into the trade whilst helping those already in our sector to progress and take up more senior roles.”
According to People 1st’s latest research on the sector, over 60 per cent of chefs are male – a percentage that increases significantly within the restaurant sector where the vast majority of chefs are male.
Many respondents said that women’s progress is being hampered by a lack of mentors and female role models and that, in some cases, the existence of a male culture and the attitudes of some managers are holding women back.
Valuing female chefs
Sharon Glancy, business solutions director at People 1st and champion of Women 1st, said: “We feel privileged to have Michael Caines on board to help us launch this pioneering programme. Our leadership development programme and mentoring network have already proved successful, supporting over 200 female managers in the sector with their career progression. We are hoping to replicate that success with female chefs so the industry can retain their valuable skills.”
If you are interested in joining the Female Chefs’ Development Programme, or wish to nominate one of your colleagues, please contact Dan Power at qna.cbjre@crbcyr1fg.pb.hx
People 1st's latest State of the Nation report found the skills crisis within the industry appears to be getting worse.
All next week BigHospitality will be running a series of special features on how you can inspire your team - be they front of house, kitchen or bar - to deliver the best customer service and business performance possible.
