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Women Chefs’ Access Barriers to Michelin Stars: A Case-Study Based Approach

Abstract:

The higher the status in the “haute cuisine” field, the fewer women are employed in prestigious positions. Although cooking is considered a feminine competence, it becomes masculine when it is considered a professional job. Therefore, there are recognized gender barriers for women to achieve chef positions in the field. This article discusses the case of six female chefs who were awarded three Michelin stars in 2014 and one with two stars. The goal was to research how these women met the criteria of the Michelin Guide and which were the specific aspects that distinguished them from the rest. Although in their discourse, gender barriers were not highly accentuated, however, passion, the feminine approach to management, and family support were considered mandatory for their success.