Six successful Asian female chef-owners share their stories of grit in a male-dominated culinary world
From Singapore to Japan, the owners of some of the region’s most sought-after fine dining restaurants share the challenges and successes of cooking on their own terms
WITH the global restaurant scene dominated by male chefs, women have still to make a significant dent in this ultra-demanding industry. Yet, in Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Japan and Korea, there are stories of female chefs who’ve shown they can succeed with much tenacity and resoluteness. And at the same time, injecting much empathy and sensitivity when managing people working for them. Here, six successful women chefs/restaurant owners share tales of their hard-earned success.
Pichaya “Pam” Utharntharm Potong, Bangkok
Pichaya “Pam” Utharntharm, chef-owner of the one-Michelin-starred Potong in Bangkok, believes that there are both differences and similarities in running a restaurant business compared to being an employee.
“I still work super hard every day – I wake up early and finish work really late,” says the 33-year-old who manages the restaurant with her husband. However, what is more pressuring is the responsibility of taking care of her team and steering them to achieve the same goal.
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