BREAKING BARRIERS

Hotel kitchens are a male domain. But women are slowly and steadily making their presence felt there. To mark the occasion of Women's Day in March, we spotlight women F&B managers, who have stormed the male bastion, and celebrate their verve.

- VINODINI RAO & SAYLI MOHITE

MANPREET CHABBA

Director Of Food and Beverage, Taj Bengal Kolkata

THE TRIGGER IN F&B

"Even though no one in my family or friends' circle took up hospitality as their career choice, I slowly got interested in that direction. As a Management Trainee with IHCL (Indian Hotels Company Limited), I did enjoy food and beverage but my actual interest grew when I was given an opportunity to go to Dubai as a part of the pre-opening team. My task specifically was to help with the opening of restaurants, which involved food trials, inventory upkeep, restaurant setup etc. That's when the actual interest in F&B started. I liked that there was so much to do in terms of creativity, innovation, people management and experience-building that there was never a dull day."

THE CHALLENGES OF BEING A WOMAN IN A MALE-DOMINATED SEGMENT

"There have been challenges, but I have taken my job as a professional and believed in delivering results. I have worked shoulder-to-shoulder with men and made no excuses for being a woman."

GENDER BIAS-THEN AND NOW

"At first, no one spoke about gender bias, which meant no one saw it, and in their eyes, there was nothing to change but today I notice people are aware and talk about it more openly. I believe challenging bias starts by noticing it, and people are noticing it now more than earlier.

"For my fellow women in F&B, I say share your story with the world. Our growth also shows other women what is possible in the industry and that if you work hard and smart enough, irrespective of your background in the industry, you can succeed."

KEY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS