“When you look at the line-up for Restaurant Month, a lot of those guys came from the era when there were probably more men in the classroom when they were learning cookery,” says Bidois. “It’s something we’re always thinking about but it’s not always practical to have a line-up that includes everyone because the selection is smaller when it comes to females in those roles, sadly, but that’s absolutely changing. “Whenever we’re putting together line-ups, it is something we consciously think about - how we can pull an equal gender balance into what we’re presenting and bring more women into those front-facing spokespeople roles,” she says. But, she adds, the industry has a skills shortage and can’t afford for half the population to be left out of the equation. Marisa Bidois, CEO of New Zealand’s Restaurant Association, says the harsh environment of professional kitchens being seen as a male domain is in part responsible for the profession’s gender imbalance. “There are things that you can start to do – even raising awareness can help people think about things a little bit differently, but it’s not necessarily a quick fix if an industry is predominantly a particular way.” Monique Fiso of Hiakai and Analiese Gregory of Franklin in Hobart are two of the chefs featuring in Wellington on a Plate’s The Future of Food is Female event (Photos: Supplied) That’s why there’s such a debate around why you have quotas. It’s still relatively low, and you do have to start somewhere, but you also need the right person for the job. If you think about board representation, that’s been a very slow process of making sure there’s diversity and women. “This is the way it’s been, it’s the way it is at the moment, but it doesn’t mean it has to stay that way. “I think it’s an interesting question and I’ve certainly had a few conversations as part of this question you’ve raised,” she says. As I say, it’s more a reflection of the industry than any particular conscious choice.”ĭoes she think festivals have a responsibility to represent more women, as a potential starting point for change within the industry? We’ve had Monica Galetti, Monique Fiso, Nancy Silverton, Megan May. We have had females at Restaurant Month before. It’s not driven by any particular bias, it’s really reflecting who’s available, who’s a good fit with our particular local chefs. “In some ways it’s a reflection of the industry’s female representation. “It’s not about choosing male or female, it’s about creating an experience that’s interesting for people to come to,” says Beck. (Peter Gordon’s event at The Sugar Club earlier this week did include one woman, Pip Wylie, among the five guest chefs.) Viv Beck, chief executive of Heart of the City, which runs Auckland Restaurant Month (Photo: Supplied) Viv Beck, chief executive of central city business association Heart of the City, which runs American Express Restaurant Month, says the festival has included women in previous years and “there’s no barrier” that prevents them from doing so, it’s just that none of the chefs they approached were available. If we take Wellington on a Plate’s word for it, it appears we’re well on the way but further north it seems we’re barely getting started. The Restaurant Month schedule was announced around the same time as the opening of Auckland Museum’s exhibition on gender equality, Are We There Yet?, which made the imbalance seem all the more blatant. Meanwhile, the Auckland equivalent, American Express Restaurant Month, is currently running a series of chef collaborations that, at first glance, doesn’t include any women at all. $.25 per each ticket sold for a majority of events at Punch Line benefits Comedy Gives Back, a safety net for the comedy community.įor more information, please visit cheffing is a male-dominated industry, but shouldn’t food festivals be leading the way in promoting equality?Īn event at upcoming food festival Visa Wellington on a Plate insists “the future of food is female”, bringing together five woman chefs to chat about the topic with broadcaster Susie Ferguson. It’s only right to come together on Philly’s BEST stage….Punch Line! Join us for our own personal SAUSAGE FEST which will feature an all male line up! Drizz and TaTa are friends who dominate in stand up, hilarious produced viral comedy sketches and short films. Now it's time for the fellas to have some fun. NOTE OUR CLEAR BAG POLICY - only the following are allowed: Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bags (max size: 12"圆"x12") Small clutch bags approximately the size of a hand (max size: 4.5"圆.5") Please see our enhanced venue safety guidelines: Ĭomedians TaTa Sherise & Drizz presents to you “Girls Got Giggles”! Bringing a fun, high energy, with a hint of sexy comedy show with the countries hottest up and coming comics. Doors open at 7:00 PM 2 drink minimum required per person.
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