Waitrose has named the ten most influential women in food today, ahead of International Women’s Day 2023.
An expert judging panel at Waitrose Food magazine has named some trailblazing women, including Olia Hercules, Andi Oliver and Asma Khan, who are driving change and utilising food as a force for social good.
Despite women being the main purchasers and cooks of food at home, they are still vastly underrepresented in the food and hospitality industry.
According to the upmarket retailer, only 17% of all chefs, and 8% of Michelin-starred chefs in the UK are women, while across the food sector in 2021, female representation at board level was only 30%.
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The reasons for the disparity are complex, including structural shortcomings, discrimination and inhospitable workplace cultures.
These women are opening up the industry and using their position, time and expertise in food and drink as a force for social, cultural and environmental progress.
The all-female judging panel included leading food producers, commentators and restaurateurs with decades of experience between them, and included Wahaca founder Thomasina Miers, food and culture commentator Mallika Basu, and cheesemaker Stacey Hedges, as well as Jessica Gunn, Editor of Waitrose Food.
Published this week in the March issue of Waitrose Food magazine, the list features: Andi Oliver – musician, cook, restaurateur, writer, broadcaster and TV presenter, Minette Batters – first female president of the National Farmers’ Union of England & Wales, Helen Browning OBE, organic farmer and CEO of the Soil Association, Mary Quicke MBE, cheesemaker and founder of the Academy of Cheese, and Asma Khan, former lawyer, author and owner of Darjeeling Express.
The list also included: Jaega Wise, head brewer, co-founder of London-based Wild Card Brewery, Nicole Pisani & Naomi Duncan, co-founders, executive chef and CEO of non-profit Chefs in Schools, and Ravneet Gill, pastry chef, author and activist founder of Countertalk, which connects chefs and hospitality professionals, educates and encourages healthier workplaces
Waitrose Food Magazine then highlighted women driving societal change in food, like Claudia Roden CBE, cookbook writer and cultural anthropologist who, over decades, has transformed Western attitudes to Middle Eastern cuisine, and Olia Hercules, Ukrainian-born chef, food stylist and writer, founder of #CookForUkraine, which has raised £800k to support people suffering as a result of the war.
“It is such a joyful and unexpected honour to be listed alongside women I’ve long admired and who are changing the way we grow, cook, think and feel about food and its role in society. I am glowing,” Waitrose winner, Andi Oliver said.
Editor of Waitrose Food, Jessica Gunn said: “These women have truly changed the paradigm when it comes to food. What unites them is their ability to think differently and forge a new path.
“We have seen them harness their creativity, passion and expertise to create networks that ultimately nourish society.
“From helping refugees to raising funds and educating, they have used food as a means of uniting people for the greater good.
“We created this list as it’s essential that we take the time to celebrate these women so that they in turn can inspire the next generation to continue challenging the status quo.”
It comes as Waitrose is offering shoppers the choice to opt out of receiving promotional content relating to Mother’s Day.
The initiative aims to be sensitive to the feelings of customers who have had a parent pass away, have been estranged from or have a difficult relationship with their parent for any reason.
