Studies reveal that only 6.3% of head chef positions in the U.S. are held by women, and less than 1 in 4 (22.8%) chefs and head cooks were women. While the past may show modest numbers when it comes to women in foodservice, the future looks bright. For example, during the fall of 2020, 48% of enrolled undergraduates at the Culinary Institute of America, a college specializing in culinary arts, were women.

"There's great power in being underestimated," said Ina Pinkney, food journalist and former owner and chef at Chicago's famed Ina's Restaurant. Early in her career, she says she faced skepticism about her abilities as a woman in the kitchen, which motivated her to prove naysayers wrong. Today she is delighted to see many more career opportunities open for women in foodservice.

"As influencers in the kitchen for generations, female chefs have always brought traditions and new ideas to the table," said Chip Morgan, senior director of marketing at Smithfield Culinary. "And now, more than ever, they're bringing innovation and clout to individual kitchens from which they serve our friends and families. We are thrilled to celebrate the wonderful work that is being done by the women in our communities and [are] excited to see what they do in the future."

As part of this national campaign, Smithfield Culinary's website features innovative recipes and culinary techniques through videos and a recipe database. Operators are also eligible to enter a sweepstakes for a chance to win a chef-guided tour of New York City's popular female-owned restaurants.

To learn more about the She Brings the Heat campaign and to enter the sweepstakes, visit www.smithfieldculinary.com/sbth.

Source: Smithfield Culinary