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Chefs, Bakers, Movers, and Shakers: Celebrating 10 AAPI Women in the Food World
Female leaders in the food world are underrepresented, especially female minorities. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, less than 20% of American chefs and head cooks are female. At prominent U.S. restaurants, women only occupy about 6% of the head chef positions. About 25% of the farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural managers are female but less than 1% of all U.S. farmers of any gender are Asian. All of these numbers mentioned above are even lower for AAPI females.
With this and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage month in mind, let’s celebrate 10 incredible AAPI women in the food industry.
1) Anita Lo’s interest in food began at a young age while she was growing up in Michigan. While Lo was studying abroad in Paris for her French language degree at Columbia University, she developed a passion for the food culture there which eventually led to her becoming a Top Chef Master, Iron Chef winner, Michelin star chef and owner of Anissa in New York City. She became the very first female guest chef to cook a State Dinner at the White House in 2015. Lo has written two cookbooks: Cooking Without Borders and Solo: Easy Sophisticated Recipes For a Party of One. After being in business for 17 successful years and holding a Michelin star for an impressive 9…
