I could start this article by simply asking: “Why is this even a topic for discussion?” The truth of the matter is that we shouldn’t need to identify people by gender in a professional kitchen. Chefs and managers shouldn’t hire male or female cooks – they should hire competent cooks regardless of gender. The only question is: “Can the individual do the job?” Tall, small, black white, American, European, Asian, Mexican, South American, or African; young or old, male or female, it doesn’t really matter – does it?

So why should we have the conversation? Because there are far fewer women in professional kitchens, especially in the role of executive chef, than there could or should be. Ironically, there are more women restaurant managers than men, but the disproportionate ratio in the kitchen remains a mystery.

Let’s look at some of the erroneous arguments that are part of the “hidden…