Vancouver chef under fire for comments on women

The famous Vancouver chef, David Hawksworth, receives severe criticism, not for his award-winning food, but for what he said about women at a rally in Toronto.

Restaurant chef Hawksworth and Nightingale found themselves in the hot water after explaining why women did not burst into the restaurant business.

"The hours are long, it's a difficult place, a very difficult career. Women are smarter to stay away, "Hawksworth told the Spring Icons and Innovators conference in 2019 last week.

But the arduous task has nothing to do with a glbad ceiling in the restaurant industry, said Toronto-based Felicia De Rose of the Chase Hospitality Group.

"Honestly, I was furious," she told CTV News. "I have pretty thick skin and a tolerance for ignorance like that."

Rose posted a record of comments on Instagram and heard from dozens of restaurant workers.

"It's a boys' club," she said. "It has to end, I've lived it, it's not fun."

Hawksworth should apologize, she said.

The chief did not respond to a request for interview, but sent a statement to CTV News Vancouver.

"(Hawksworth) has not and never had any prejudices against women.He has employed, worked alongside, and defended many extremely talented women throughout his life. career and continues to do so, "the statement said.

Hawksworth referred to the Hawksworth Young Chef Study Foundation.

"Although the ratio of male / female candidates can not be controlled, Hawksworth has always ensured a strong female presence on the jury that pays homage to models such as Connie DeSousa, Lynn Crawford, Jackie Ellis, Sarah Musgrave, Mijune Pak Anna Olsen who all supported, "the statement said.

University of British Columbia sociologist Jennifer Berdahl told CTV News that her research shows that women are not represented in certain sectors because of a culture that rewards domination over the world. talent.

"Women's careers often involve long hours of work and hard work, and even in one's own sector, it is long hours and exhausting work," she said.

"It's not that women are not able to do this job.It's that the job is in a male-dominated industry.The famous chefs are men.It's a salary much higher and higher prestige, "she said.

"I think it's a meaningless comment, I think it's worth looking at it closely.Is it culture that makes things difficult for women?" she says.