A study carried out by Chef’s Pencil has revealed that out of the quarter of female chefs in the world only 6 per cent are in leading culinary roles.
The international food publication analysed 2,286 Michelin-starred restaurants in 16 countries in addition to restaurants ranked by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants association.
Staggering research shows that the global average of female-led restaurants recognised under the Michelin guide is 6 percent and that only 6.73 per cent of the world’s best 100 restaurants have a female head chef.
The statistics also prove that within countries such as Singapore, Ireland, Sweden and Denmark there are currently no women running Michelin-star establishments.
Out of 112 restaurants in the Netherlands there is only one female chef and only 13 in Germany out of the nation’s 337 Michelin-starred head chefs.
The share of women in France (5 per cent), the United States (7 per cent) and the UK (8 percent) is marginally higher.
Among the top fine-diners in the region of Scandinavia Heidi Bjerkan of Credo restaurant in Norway is the only female chef leading a Michelin-starred restaurant.
“More and more women are asking for a better work-life balance,” Bjerkan tells Chef’s Pencil.
The sentiment is echoed by 2017 Best Female Chef award winner Ana Roš of Hiša Franko in Slovenia which was ranked 21 on The World’s 50 Bes restaurants.
“It is a consequence of a very traditionally organized society,” adds Roš. “Where women multi-task and are responsible for so many things in their personal lives from taking care of their children, family and household.”
Content Director for The World’s 50 Best William Drew says that the association will continue to address the disparity.
“Until women are more equally represented in the hospitality sector or occupy higher positions within the industry on a more equal scale, we will continue to celebrate and elevate the achievements of women in this space,” says Drew.
To see full study click here.
Image credit: Chef’s Pencil and Hiša Franko