{"id":5046,"date":"2025-03-17T17:14:16","date_gmt":"2025-03-17T21:14:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/?page_id=5046"},"modified":"2026-04-27T14:15:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-27T18:15:12","slug":"dish","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/fr\/dish\/","title":{"rendered":"dish."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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dish.<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fuelling Women Leaders in Food\u2014And Those Who Aspire<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The foodservice industry is powered by women. They dominate entry-level roles, making up 58 per cent of the workforce at that tier. But as they move up the ladder, the numbers shift dramatically. Women hold just over 30 per cent of management positions, and only 11 per cent ever make it to the C-suite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue isn\u2019t just the glass ceiling\u2014it\u2019s the broken first rung: the critical first step into leadership that many women never get to take. From unconscious bias to inflexible job structures, the barriers are real\u2014and systemic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Restaurants Canada created dish.<\/em> to help change that.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Launched on International Women\u2019s Day with a sold-out brunch at Mildred\u2019s Temple Kitchen in Toronto\u2014a space helmed by trailblazing chef and restaurateur Donna Dooher\u2014the platform is designed to bring together women and allies across the industry. A powerhouse group of 75 women gathered for the inaugural event, a high-energy morning of storytelling, networking, and purpose-driven dialogue. The energy in the room was electric. \u201cWe created dish<\/strong><\/em>. to provide a platform for real change,\u201d says Kelly Higginson, President & CEO of Restaurants Canada. \u201cWomen are proven innovators among many other strengths and talents, yet we\u2019re still underrepresented in leadership roles. That has to change. The evidence is compelling: when more women sit at decision making tables, better decisions are made. Companies make more profits.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Creating spaces for conversation and connection.<\/del><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the heart of dish.<\/strong><\/em> is a commitment to building awareness of the unique strengths of women in leadership and to creating opportunities and space for women to learn and grow together, building stronger networks and challenging the status quo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The launch of dish.<\/strong><\/em> is just the beginning,\u201d says Higginson. \u201cWhen we amplify real stories, we expose the systemic challenges holding women back while showcasing the full spectrum of female leadership\u2014from emerging talents to established pioneers. Our goal is to help others see not just where women leaders are today, but where they could be if we break down barriers and truly fix that broken first rung on the ladder.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s the next course?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

dish<\/em>. is expanding its reach with:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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  • Virtual dish.<\/em> meet-ups that connect and support women in foodservice across<\/strong> Canada for candid conversations around leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and more.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Special dish.<\/em> gatherings and events<\/strong> designed to grow networks and pair experienced leaders with rising stars.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • An all-new and unfiltered dish.<\/em> content series in MENU Magazine<\/em><\/strong> designed to elevate and celebrate women leaders in foodservice.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    As dish.<\/strong><\/em> expands, Restaurants Canada is calling on industry leaders to step up\u2014 not just to support women, but to actively dismantle the barriers holding them back. \u201cWe need to move past performative allyship,\u201d says Higginson. \u201cSuccess isn\u2019t about checking a diversity box\u2014it\u2019s about ensuring women are given the same opportunities to lead and thrive as their male counterparts. Our hope is that women join the dish.<\/strong><\/em> community to share their experiences and perspectives. By fostering real connections, we\u2019re not just closing the gap; we\u2019re building a stronger, more inclusive industry where talent\u2014not gender\u2014determines success.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    JOIN US.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Join the dish.<\/strong><\/em> community and help us create a more inclusive, innovative, and equitable future for foodservice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Sign me up for dish.<\/em> news and event information.<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n