"A woman's place is in the kitchen" - so why are professional kitchens full of men?

Answer 1

Firstly, I categorically object to the statement that a woman's place is in the kitchen. As a male, I do not like the stereotyping of women.

Professional kitchens are full of men for a number of reasons.

1. It is a cultural stereotype in white English society that domestic cooking is the preserve of the wife, whilst paid cooking (full-time) is the preserve of the male of the species.

2. A cultural stereotype still exists in the UK that full time work is the preserve of men - this covers all occupations from stockbroker to roadsweeper. In actuality, we have a lot of women working as Barristers, Stockbrokers and other senior roles, but much work still needs to be done in this respect.

3. The only realistic reason for the preponderance of male chefs is that the work of the chef is very demanding in the physical sense. You are on your feet for hours, often moving heavy pans full of liquid,and in very hot conditions,and also in unsocial hours. It is generally accepted that men have greater physical strength than women (although women have greater physical endurance).

So there is some fact mixed in with a lot of historical baggage.

Answer 2

Men are better cooks, they just dont want to at home cause a womans place is in the kitchen. Professional is the key word here.

Answer 3

This is a long-standing double standard.

For instance, when asked to describe a "chef" most people describe a man, but a "cook" tends to be seen as female.

The same thing happens in the eduction field. "Professor" connotates "man" for many people, while "teacher" connotates woman.

Clearly the higher status (and higher pay) jobs have been reserved for men - witness the perceived difference in status between a "waitress" (which many people picture in a diner) and a waiter (which connotates fine dining).

But things are changing, and pointing it out is a powerful tool moving us to that end.

Answer 4

A woman is the boss in the kitchen at home.
In the hotels/restaurants' kitchens, men are the bosses.
Shows we are much better at creative cooking, whereas women are better in preparing everyday meals for the family.

Answer 5

I donèt think itès the case anymore; most men have gotten fed up of eating tofu and brown rice with no fat no sugar no taste sauce on their veggie burger. So they took over the kitchen, became more adventurous, and donèt worry as much about calories, carbs, or fat. The results is tastier more surprising food, while the eats not being as healthy. Mind you, this is just a theory, but don't shove it aside until you try more ribs!!! :P

Answer 6

As a professional female chef I wonder this all the time! Probalby something to do with the unsociable hours and the testosterone fuelled ego trips of a lot of male chefs. Luckily I'm as arrogant as any man and don't have kids so I can still work at the job I love.

Answer 7

There are not many people that even believe that anymore and it has nothing to do with restaurants/chef careers anyway.

There was a time when it was thought that women belonged at home taking care of babies and do the cooking AT home.

Answer 8

Because truthfully, men are better cooks! My husband is a pastry chef and he can cook amazing. It is fun to watch him throw things together - and it always tastes great! His desserts are simply the best; he even made our wedding cake - a 5-tier masterpiece that I will always remember.

Answer 9

"A woman's place is in the kitchen and on the kitchen counter" *smiles* Happy Tuesday!

Answer 10

Because men work for a living