Hartnett: Being female has worked in my favour

Rather than being discriminated against in a male dominated industry, chef Angela Hartnett says that being a woman has actually worked in her favour.

Angela Harnett being presented with her Female Chef of the Year award by Ayala’s chef de cave, Caroline Latrive, at Daphne’s restaurant in Chelsea

Speaking to Wine List Confidential after picking up the inaugural Ayala SquareMeal Female Chef of the Year award at Daphne’s restaurant in Chelsea, Harnett said:

“I’ve been in the industry for 30 years and have never once felt patronised, because I work as hard as the men I’ve worked with. In some ways I think being a woman has worked in my favour.

“In my time working as a chef I’ve found catering to be the most undiscriminating industry there is and have never felt discriminated against.

“I don’t know anyone who would choose a bloke over a woman for a job just because they were male – people want good chefs regardless of their gender.

“I don’t think working in the industry is hard for women, it’s that women don’t shout as loudly as men about their achievements.

As to whether ‘best female chef’ awards are still necessary and relevant, Hartnett doesn’t have a problem with them.

“They give an award to the best actress at the Oscars, so I don’t think ‘best female chef’ awards are a bad thing if they help promote women in the industry.

“There are loads of great female chefs working today but there are still more male chefs at the moment, so why not have an award that celebrates women?

“The restaurant trade is changing for the better. If these kinds of awards encourage young girls coming into our industry, then it’s a great thing.”

Kent-born Hartnett began her career under Gordon Ramsay’s wing at Aubergine in Chelsea, where she worked alongside Marcus Wareing.

Having won a Michelin star at her eponymous restaurant at The Connaught, in 2008 she parted ways with Gordon Ramsay Hodldings and launched her first solo venture, Murano in St James’s, which now has a Michelin star.

Hartnett currently runs five restaurants: Murano; Café Murano sites in St James’s and Covent Garden; Merchants Tavern in Shoreditch; and Hartnett, Holder & Co at Lime Wood hotel in Hampshire.

Leave your reply

Most Recent Stories

London's hottest restaurant openings: December 2023

Christmas is the time of year to eat, drink and be merry – here are some of the new London spots worth dropping by this festive season.

Tributes paid to Russell Norman

The restaurateur credited with transforming London's dining scene with the opening of Polpo, Spuntino and Brutto, died last week at the age of 57.

Mendoza sweeps up Michelin stars

In the very first edition of the Michelin Guide in Argentina, Mendoza took home four of the six stars in an awards ceremony last week firmly placing the wine region at the top of any gastronome’s bucket list of places to visit.

WLC Eats: The Clove Club, Shoreditch

Douglas Blyde heads to what was once Shoreditch Town Hall to visit The Clove Club. While there, he explores the two Michelin-starred restaurant's "masterful" and "memorable" tasting menu, and raises the question of why chef-patron Isaac McHale hasn't written a book yet.

Norfolk pub owner uses canoe in face of floods

A pub landlord in Surlingham, Norfolk, estimated losses of £80,000 over the last two years due to floods, and has had to employ one unconventional method to transport deliveries and staff to work.

Most Recent Stories

London's hottest restaurant openings: December 2023

Christmas is the time of year to eat, drink and be merry – here are some of the new London spots worth dropping by this festive season.

Tributes paid to Russell Norman

The restaurateur credited with transforming London's dining scene with the opening of Polpo, Spuntino and Brutto, died last week at the age of 57.

Mendoza sweeps up Michelin stars

In the very first edition of the Michelin Guide in Argentina, Mendoza took home four of the six stars in an awards ceremony last week firmly placing the wine region at the top of any gastronome’s bucket list of places to visit.

WLC Eats: The Clove Club, Shoreditch

Douglas Blyde heads to what was once Shoreditch Town Hall to visit The Clove Club. While there, he explores the two Michelin-starred restaurant's "masterful" and "memorable" tasting menu, and raises the question of why chef-patron Isaac McHale hasn't written a book yet.

Norfolk pub owner uses canoe in face of floods

A pub landlord in Surlingham, Norfolk, estimated losses of £80,000 over the last two years due to floods, and has had to employ one unconventional method to transport deliveries and staff to work.