Independent thesis Advanced level (degree of Master (One Year)), 10 credits / 15 HE credits
In the male-dominated chef profession, female chefs face numerous obstacles. According to research, female chefs experience obstacles such as advancement, poor pay, work-life balance, burnout, and sexual harassment, according to research (Harris & Giuffre, 2010; MurrayGibbons & Gibbons, 2007). Therefore, this research aims to understand and investigate the significant issues of gender inequality in career advancement for female chefs in the culinary industry in Kandy, Sri Lanka. Addressing these concerns could aid management in efficiently fixing challenges, recruiting more female chefs to the profession, and expanding their possibilities and career prospects in the hotel business.In a variety of forms, gender inequality tends to stifle women's advancement. The purpose of this qualitative research was to find more about how female chefs in professional kitchens in five-star hotels in Kandy, Sri Lanka, have dealt with gender inequality. This research looked at the participants' culinary backgrounds, culinary experiences, gender disparity issues, and lessons learned (i.e., copying, gender-inequality-addressing initiatives). The results found that participants' critical workplace problems were related to hiring issues, work-life balance and promotion, and pregnancy and mobility issues. Female chefs were made their way through this study to share their concerns about gender discrimination in the hospitality kitchen operations in Kandy, Sri Lanka, which could successfully address gender inequality in professional kitchen operations.Since so many students will be entering the real world soon after graduating from private and public culinary schools in Sri Lanka, the human integration curriculum must be taught that women are on equal footing with males. Female chefs, on the other hand, are regarded as innovative and enthusiastic about work. As a result, if the hotel business does not accommodate female chefs, the sector will lose the skilled workforce. Furthermore, the state's economy suffers when talented female chefs are unable to contribute to its development.
2021.
female chefs, professional kitchens, gender bias, career advancement, male dominance