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Celebrating our Female Chefs

CHARTWELLS HIGHER EDUCATION CHEFS PARTICIPATE IN COMPASS GROUP’S WOMEN IN CULINARY SHOWCASE

Celebrating the accomplishments of Compass Group’s women culinarians, 23 female chefs traveled to Middleby Innovation Kitchens in Texas to craft culinary masterpieces together and demonstrate their talents.

The chefs worked on a “kinder kitchen” exercise in teams to cook up some delicious culinary masterpieces together. “Kinder kitchen” refers to a culture shift of what we think of as a traditional kitchen environment. In “kinder kitchens” teams can collaborate more effectively when they feel more at ease in a comfortable environment.

The showcase also offered oppor

Chefs Tatiana “Tati” Ortiz from New York University and Maja Gajic from the University of Texas at Arlington represented Chartwells Higher Education. Both chefs have a deep passion for culinary innovation and are key pillars of their universities’ dining programs.

Chef Maja says, “I strive to make a better culture in my kitchen. We try and keep it a positive and fun environment while holding them to a high standard. I believe it’s extremely important to start having kinder kitchens—it’s time for that change. Everyone in the kitchen should feel wanted and feel that they have a voice.”

Lindsay Wilson, MS, RDN, LDN DIETITIAN AT UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

I’ve been working as a registered dietitian for more than 12 years. There are plenty of female dietitians, but the field of foodservice in general continues to be male dominated. But despite that, I’ve made huge strides in the field of nutrition.

I’ve presented at national conferences, been featured in magazines and won three NACUFS Most Innovative Wellness and Nutrition Awards. I’m also sharing my expertise by teaching the next generation of dietitians in the Dietitian Nutritionist Program at the University of Pittsburgh. By recognizing the women that came before, we can hopefully inspire other women to do big things, even in the foodservice industry.

Melinda Burrows, CEC, CCA EXECUTIVE CHEF AT MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY

My grandmother first taught me to cook, and I soon realized that I was pretty good, so you might say my profession chose me!

I have been working in culinary most of my life, and I’ve traveled the world as a personal chef to Paul McCartney, Phil Collins and INXS. I love to make people happy with my cooking and food.

To all my fellow female chefs: never give up, listen to the people who believe in you and fail forward. Be true to yourself, cook with love and, most of all, season as you go!