Empowering Women: Navigating Scotland’s Culinary Heritage and Hospitality Industry

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it’s a poignant moment to explore the intertwined narratives of women in Scotland’s culinary heritage and hospitality industry. From the hearths of family kitchens to the bustling corridors of restaurants, women have been integral to shaping Scotland’s rich gastronomic tapestry. Yet, their contributions often fade into the background, overshadowed by persistent challenges and barriers.

For centuries, women have been the custodians of Scotland’s culinary traditions, passing down cherished recipes and culinary techniques through generations. In rural cottages and urban households alike, they wielded ladles and spatulas with skill and grace, transforming humble ingredients into culinary delights that nourished both body and soul.

While there are many great women we could talk about here, we want to highlight our local food hero – Sarah Duncan from Castlebrae Community Campus (our local high school). As Head of Expressive Arts, Sarah’s teaching role is (in theory) focused on music. Despite this, Sarah goes above and beyond to facilitate the running of all of our projects at the school. Sarah passionately believes in introducing young people to new ideas and experiences. Like us, she understands the power of food, the power of being creative and that cooking is not only an essential life skill but a potential career for people.  She works hard to ensure that all sorts of different students get to experience different projects with us and has helped facilitate us starting to run two new types of projects with the school. Without her, we wouldn’t have been able to work with nearly as many young people (and we certainly wouldn’t have had as much fun doing it!). She’s always got a smile on her face and her enthusiasm to try the food always encourages the young people to get stuck in.  

However, while there are many great women we can talk about we also need to take this opportunity to acknowledge that the journey for women in the hospitality industry has been fraught with challenges and injustices. Despite their undeniable talents and expertise, women continue to face systemic barriers to equality and advancement.

Unequal pay and wage disparities persist, with women in hospitality still often earning less than their male counterparts for similar roles and responsibilities. The glass ceiling looms large, limiting women’s access to leadership positions and opportunities for career growth and development. From women’s toilets being turned into broom cupboards to being called ‘love’ instead of ‘chef’ when running a kitchen, there are many everyday examples of how women’s work is undervalued in the hospitality sector. Unfortunately, too many workplaces still have reports of sexual harassment and workplace discrimination so this continues to cast a shadow over the industry. Without being given the option, women are often given front-of-house roles, while stereotypes and biases diminish their presence in back-of-house positions and culinary leadership.

As we confront these challenges head-on, there is a growing momentum for change within the hospitality industry. From grassroots initiatives to policy reforms, individuals and organizations are mobilizing to dismantle systemic barriers, challenge discriminatory practices, and create more inclusive and equitable workplaces. Trade unions like Unite Hospitality have been essential in the struggle to gain equal pay, confront sexual harassment, and fight zero hours contracts. We encourage anyone working in hospitality to join Unite Hospitality!

By amplifying the voices of women, celebrating their achievements, and advocating for meaningful change, we can pave the way for a future where every woman in the hospitality industry is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. Join us in commemorating the resilience and determination of women in Scotland’s culinary landscape and hospitality industry this International Women’s Day. We continue to be inspired by the women we see running kitchens, leading culinary schools, teaching foraging classes, and making nourishing food for their communities in Edinburgh and beyond. 

Together, let us raise a glass to the women who have enriched our palates, inspired our creativity, and nourished our souls through the power of food. Here’s to forging a path towards equality and inclusion in the culinary world and beyond.