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Celebrate International Women’s Day on the 8thth In March, we asked six outstanding women in the industry to share their success stories, as well as some words of encouragement for fellow women in the hospitality industry.
In the hospitality industry, female professionals set the bar high, bringing a wealth of skills, innovation, passion and love to the industry. From entrepreneurs and business owners, to bartenders, chefs, and brand ambassadors, women in the hospitality industry showcase their talents in a multitude of roles—and we want to support them!
Claudia Carrozzi, the first female president of the British Bartenders Guild, noticed her love of hospitality at an early age and told us: “When I was a child, I loved playing bartender, serving imaginary drinks to my family during meals. Then, at the age of 15, I started working in the bar during the summer and for the next five years I spent my summers, weekends and bank holidays working in the bar. A high-end place to study and work.”
Fast forward – after moving to the UK to pursue a career as a bartender, Claudia worked as a drinks specialist at Cunard where she set up bartending training courses and career pathways for her fleet, guiding them towards success. She tells us, “Here I developed a number of existing bar concepts before becoming Fleet Beverage Development Manager and being elected UKBG President. I’m proud to be a bartender, travel the world and be able to give back to the industry through UKBG . I am always seeking further professional training because I understand that there is always room for improvement and we can never be perfect.”
In an industry often dominated by men, Claudia’s determination and hard work prevailed, demonstrating her innate passion for the industry and craft. She said: “I have always been part of a male-dominated team and have been trained and mentored mainly by men. I clearly remember my first hotel bar interview at a five-star hotel when I was 16. The bar manager told me that the job was the best. Suitable for men as the work was hard and asked me if I was sure about the job. However, I confidently proved my abilities and convinced him to give me a chance. To this day, we still keep in touch and thank him for breaking I caught the trend and realized my potential!”
Claudia owes much of her growth and success in the industry to her female friends and colleagues, she says: “My female colleagues have played a key role in my professional growth over the years. We have always supported each other. , help and inspire. I am proud of our resilience and determination to succeed, and I know we will continue to inspire and lift each other up, break stereotypes and pave the way for the next generation of women in the workplace.”
When talking about the women who inspire her the most, Claudia cited her mother, the Double Dutch sister duo and the Trail Blazers community who inspired her curiosity about hospitality. “I grew up in a household where my father would often distill grappa from the home-produced wine, while my mother would infuse the spirit and make the liqueur. Although my mother never drank the liqueurs she made, she loved it. Craftsmanship, her passion for it piqued my curiosity. I also draw inspiration from the Double Dutch team, the Trailblazer community and their training programs, which I have proudly guided since their inception,” she explains.
World-class personal chef, The Burnt Chef ambassador, and Netflix’s “Five Star Chef” contestant Lara Norman Arquero has always valued the support and encouragement of women throughout her career in the hospitality industry, and she attributes much of her success to them. The web surrounds her.
When talking about the female figures who have always been a source of inspiration and strength, Laura explains: “I have to start with my mother. Her unwavering determination and power to turn the impossible into reality have not only guided my life , has also shaped my career. Her strength, love, and resilience have profoundly impacted my existence.
“As a chef, I can attest to the invaluable support and inspiration provided by female friends and colleagues in the culinary world. They are a source of encouragement and willpower that have contributed to my growth in the kitchen. Whether through collaboration or support , their friendship both creates a supportive and empowering environment,” Laura added.
Over the years, Lara has worked alongside respected culinary masters in prestigious venues such as: The Ritz in London; HIDE restaurant curated by Ollie Dabbous and the two Michelin star Claude Bosi at the Bibendum. She is now the founder of Euphoria, a custom event and catering company.
“With Euphoria, I’m combining gastronomy with my love of theater and performance, collaborating with exceptional talent to create immersive dining experiences that break the mold,” explains Lara.
A true testament to hard work and dedication, Laura’s success can be attributed to her strong passion for her craft and positive outlook on life, as well as a strong support network of like-minded colleagues and friends.
Lara offers some advice for aspiring women in the industry, “Stay passionate about your craft, keep lighting the fire inside of you, and always be open to learning and experimenting. Never underestimate the power of the Internet. It’s crucial. Meeting challenges is also key; we have to do the things that scare us, face our insecurities, and break down those barriers.”
Most importantly, she explained the importance of inclusivity and mutual support in the industry, as she said, “All genders should come together to support and learn from each other, recognizing that we all have unique strengths and ‘superpowers’ ‘. We must strive to create an inclusive and diverse culinary environment that shares the love we all have for our craft.”
We were lucky enough to sit down with Double Dutch founder Raissa de Haas and her twin sister Joyce, who also shared some words of honor for International Women’s Day.
Sharing the story of how Double Dutch, an award-winning premium supplement and mixer brand, came to be, Joyce told us: “Our careers in the industry began while we were studying for our Masters in Tech Entrepreneurship at University College London. Our joint thesis Dedicated to finding solutions to the beverage industry’s challenges, the focus is on creating high-quality mixers with unexpected flavor combinations without compromising overall sugar content and calorie count.”
The sister duo have enjoyed huge success in the drinks world to date, stocking 12 drinks in some of the best bars around the world and making it their mission to give back to fellow women in the industry through their annual Women in Bartending Scholarship.
Talking about the role female professionals have played in their success, Joyce explains: “There are so many amazing female founders and it’s so valuable to work with all of them to cultivate the network. The beverage industry is booming , there have been so many great women, and we’ve been lucky enough to work alongside trailblazers like Tina Warner-Keogh of Warner’s Gin, Caleno, a non-alcoholic beverage Ellie Webb of Caleño and more! ”
As successful and influential women in the industry, the pair emphasize the value of a supportive network of women. For aspiring trailblazers and innovators, Raissa advises: “Make sure you surround yourself with a strong support network of great women you can trust. Don’t be afraid to knock on those doors—even if you have no prior experience or connections—get out there And get the opportunity you deserve. Even though we had no previous experience in the beverage industry and no network, we launched Double Dutch and now stock our products in over 45 countries.”
Chef Romy Gill MBE, Indian celebrity chef, food and travel writer, broadcaster and owner and head chef of Romy’s Kitchen, agreed on the importance of women supporting each other in the industry, commenting: “When women are able, we should provide Help others.
“Yes, we all have to work hard in this industry, but this is the most popular industry; with passion and dedication, you can start at the bottom and reach the top,” Romy added.
Romy’s career has been filled with honors and achievements, for which she is grateful to a strong support network that has played a vital role. She told us, “There are many female and male colleagues who have played a huge role in my success in the hospitality industry. My parents, husband and daughter have played a huge role; without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Chef Jill ——My mentors, Madhu Jaffery, Sheila Dillon, Clare McGinn, Lisa Markwell, Hugh Smithson Wright and many more! I also admire Chef Vikas Khanna, he is an amazing chef who has always promoted women and men. “
Finally, WiHTL Founder and Chair Tea Colaianni highlighted the power of knowledge and the importance of building strong collaborative networks of women, commenting: “We have an incredible number of female leaders in the hospitality industry right now – playing an outstanding role and worthy of Models for learning, that’s the key. Accumulating knowledge (theoretical and practical) builds confidence, and first-hand knowledge from women who have reached the top is one of the most valuable. Don’t hesitate to ask others for advice, build and expand Your network, push yourself – if someone rejects you, that’s their loss!”
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