The Global Influence and Impact of Women in Foodservice

They excel in various roles, from front-of-house staff like waiters, baristas, and managers to back-of-house staff like chefs, head chefs, and roles in sales and distribution teams, as well as in head office.

We recognize the remarkable rise of women in foodservice around the world, acknowledging their substantial impact not just on services and food innovations, but on education and ongoing industry trends. 

Women in the workforce 

As workplaces evolve, so does the role of women in the foodservice industry. By recognizing the growing presence of women as culinary leaders, the industry is witnessing new and innovative solutions tailored to the modern workplace’s needs for considered and convenient food and drink options.  

In America alone, 63% of entry-level restaurant workers and 69% of mid-level workers are women, emphasizing the pivotal part they play across various roles and levels¹.  While it is heartening to see that across the industry diversity is growing, there is still an opportunity for more women in leadership roles as 33% of executive workers were women¹.

How can the wider food service industry continue to encourage more diversity and see more women in positions of influence? Education and mentorship are part of the solution. 

Educating current and future generations 

The future of foodservice is being shaped by initiatives that promote coffee industry and culinary education for girls. By teaching the next generation of female chefs, baristas, and business leaders, and ensuring that those women already filling these roles are equipped with the best possible knowledge, businesses can support and encourage women to make their mark and excel.  

For example, Nestlé Professional leaders were part of the founding members of the Greek Chapter of the International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA). IWCA supports the work and development of women in the global coffee community and the Greek chapter of IWCA is committed to creating a community where women can thrive in the dynamic coffee industry. 

In America, our collaboration with the Women’s Foodservice Forum equips our US team with tangible development and leadership skills that can be practiced and used for meaningful and lasting change. A recent survey showed that almost half of the students at the Culinary Institute of America identify as female, so the future is looking as bright as ever before².

Celebrating 60 years in Australia and five years in New Zealand, Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award competition supports emerging culinary talent by offering the next generation of chefs a platform to experience new opportunities and advance their chef careers.  Since inception, over 8,000 participants have competed and in 2024, eight of the twelve finalists were women.  

For the past 37 years in the UK, Nestlé Professional’s has held the Toque d’Or competition which paves the way for the next generation of hospitality pioneers. The competition is an opportunity for ambitious hospitality students, both front of house and back of house, to highlight their creativity in front of a panel of leading industry experts. In 2024, two women were the grand winners of the front of house and back of house competitions and are leveraging this contest to kick-start their culinary careers.  

Women’s influence will continue to grow 

Foodservice businesses that actively support the aspirations of women – and contribute to shaping a future that fairly represents them – are likely to see positive results. Join us in celebrating the incredible journey of women in foodservice so far, and look forward, together, to making strides towards a brighter and more inclusive future. 

Sources: 

¹ Restaurant Business, Women dominate the industry, except at the top, 2022

² Lunchbox, The state of women in the restaurant industry, 2022