Funny how cooking at home falls mostly to women, and yet professional kitchens across the UK are dominated by men. There are studies that show female palettes are often naturally more sensitive, so how is it that more women aren’t encouraged to enter the hospitality industry? Professional kitchens have become a lot more attuned to employees’ needs and the days of bullying head chefs are happily behind us (more or less…). But of course, there are quite a few very talented female chefs making waves in restaurants, some of whom are now world class.
I must start with the outstanding Clare Smyth who ran Restaurant Gordon Ramsay before setting up her own restaurant, Core by Clare Smyth, which holds three Michelin Stars – an incredible feat. This is without a doubt one of London’s finest restaurants.
Hélène Darroze has six stars across her three restaurants, and the London based one, Hélène Darroze at The Connaught Hotel, holds three stars. This is another establishment that ranks among the most respected in London. Another French chef, Anne-Sophie Pic, oversees La Dame de Pic in London and she has previously been named the best female chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Other Michelin star holders include Ruth Rogers, owner and co-founder of The River Cafe on the Thames near Hammersmith. Interestingly, Ruth had no formal culinary training but the River Cafe is incredibly famous, and many a chef has learned their skills at their stoves – including Jamie Oliver! Nigerian-born Adejoké Bakare is the first Black female chef to have won a Michelin Star at her restaurant Chishuru, where you can try unique and delicious West African inspired cuisine.
Angela Hartnett’s cuisine is elegant Italian, and she is another ex-team Gordon Ramsay chef. Her chic restaurant Murano holds one Michelin Star, but don’t confuse it with the other Cafe Murano sites, also run by her but serving food at a more casual level. It would be remiss if we didn’t mention Nieves Barragán Mohacho who runs a favourite of Londoners, Sabor, which holds a well-deserved Michelin Star. Here you have counter dining as well as tables upstairs and alongside a very convivial atmosphere the Spanish tapas and cuisine are second to none.
The prize for longevity goes to Sally Clarke whose restaurant, Clarke’s Restaurant, has been a firm favourite, and has recently celebrated 40 years of business which is quite an achievement.
Sally Abe retained the Michelin Star at one of the UK’s leading gastropubs, The Harwood Arms, and currently heads up a largely female team at The Pem in Conrad London St James hotel.
We must mention Chantelle Nicholson who runs one of the most sustainable restaurants in the whole of the UK – there is much to be admired about that. Apricity focuses on plant-based cuisine and holds a Michelin Green Star, recognising her efforts to preserve the planet. Anna Haugh runs Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, having worked with Gordon Ramsay, and she has appeared on television numerous times.
Last but not least we should celebrate two female chefs who have created multiple venue restaurant businesses; Nisha Katona, who owns Mowgli Street Food, and Thomasina Miers who co-owns Wahaca. Mowgli is now dotted all over the UK and the branch on Charlotte Street is a twinkling haven filled with the delicious aromatic scents of her Indian inspired healthy and light dishes. Wahaka has many outlets and offers small sharing plates of Mexican inspired dishes.
There is so much to celebrate and we highly recommend trying any of these wonderful restaurants. London is lucky indeed to have these hard working ladies “manning” the stoves…
At DML Talent, we are incredibly proud to represent the very best of London’s leading ladies. If you want to book one of these fabulous chefs to appear at your event, please get in touch! Just click here.
