Women and Chocolate
Posted in: Opinion
Over the years I've had the opportunity to work with men and women in many different professional capacities. IN GENERAL, what I've found is that women are FAR more creative than men. Did I say FAR? So "far" it's not funny. However that creativity comes at a cost. That cost being emotionally involved with what they are doing.I can name numerous examples - cake decorating, graphic arts, advertising, packaging - just to name a few. These are professions where the end result is to ellicit an emotional response from the client. As a general rule, men just "don't go there" emotionally.The reason I think more women haven't risen to the top of the culinary industry isn't because men are better, but rather because of atrition. In a commercial kitchen, the pressure can be incredibly intense, and in bursts, and in many ways politically ignorant - the exact type of pressure a lot of women don't traditionally handle well.I'm sure there's also discrimination and sexism (there always will be to some degree), but I can't personally attest to seeing any.Those who get past the male egos, machoism, harsh and direct ways that men communicate, and do so without cracking will, in my opinion do better than any of their male counterparts.Having said all of that, I've just let my shop manager read this, and as a professionally trained chef, and having had experience in commercial kitchens she's seen it all, and agrees. Those on this forum may disagree with my 2 cents here, but at least I have one professional female's opinion before pressing the "reply" key.Brad
AndreaOK, just have to add....it also seems that the prettier the woman, the harder it is to be taken seriously as a professional. But for men the more handsome they are the better they are treated.
