{"id":7098,"date":"2026-01-13T07:35:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T12:35:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/?p=7098"},"modified":"2026-01-19T14:21:17","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T19:21:17","slug":"women-in-hospitality-to-take-center-stage-at-rc-show-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.restaurantscanada.org\/fr\/women-in-hospitality-to-take-center-stage-at-rc-show-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Women in hospitality to take center stage at RC Show 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Building on the momentum of International Women\u2019s Day, RC Show 2026 will honour the changemakers transforming Canada\u2019s culinary and hospitality landscape<\/em><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Restaurants Canada<\/a> is proud to announce that women in hospitality will take centre stage as a key focus of RC Show 2026,<\/a> taking place Sunday, March 8 to Tuesday, March 10 at The International Centre in Mississauga. Building on the momentum of International Women\u2019s Day (Sunday, March 8), RC Show\u2019s Women in Hospitality Day (Monday, March 9) will highlight the achievements, creativity and leadership of women shaping the future of foodservice and hospitality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Restaurants Canada\u2019s President and CEO, Kelly Higginson, underscores the need to champion women in hospitality leadership. \u201cWomen make up more than half of Canada\u2019s foodservice workforce, and the sector is making real progress toward a more inclusive environment,\u201d she says. \u201cBut there\u2019s still a long way to go\u2014women hold only about 30 per cent of management roles and even fewer C-suite positions. Day Two of RC Show 2026 is about celebrating the success stories of women in foodservice, and the leaders who are strengthening the talent pipeline, repairing the industry\u2019s \u2018broken rung\u2019 and creating clear, equitable pathways for women and other equity-deserving groups to advance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Presented by PepsiCo<\/em><\/strong>, Women in Hospitality Day will feature a compelling programming lineup and an exclusive Networking Reception \u2014 an in-Show extension of Restaurants Canada\u2019s dish. <\/em>event and content series created to help connect, elevate and empower women leaders and rising stars in hospitality and foodservice. The reception leads directly into a fireside keynote with Janet Zuccarini, Founder and CEO of Gusto 54 Restaurant Group. As one of Canada\u2019s most influential hospitality leaders, Zuccarini will share the philosophies and leadership insights that have shaped her career and personal journey, offering a rare and candid look at what it takes to build enduring restaurant brands and resilient teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dish. <\/em>content series also features Chockie Tom \u2014 Indigenous bartender, drinks advocate, and Founder of The Cornsilk Road <\/em>\u2014 who joins RC Show 2026 as the official Bar & Beverage Keynote on Sunday, March 8. \u201cI\u2019ve had the chance to collaborate with First Nations peers from Canada, both virtually and in person,\u201d says Tom. \u201cWhat matters most is the conversation. I\u2019m honoured to bring my perspective to a new stage and to keep learning.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes Shef GTA Announces 2026 Chef Roster<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As part of RC Show\u2019s Women in Hospitality programming, WORTH Association<\/a> will host Yes Shef\u2019s first-ever event in the Greater Toronto Area, a one-night tasting experience celebrating the talent and creativity of women in foodservice. Taking place on Monday, March 9 at 5:00 p.m. in the Conference Centre Ballroom at The International Centre Conference Centre, the event will feature 15 tasting stations led by some of Canada\u2019s most respected women chefs and restaurateurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 2026 roster includes Suman Ali (Bar Mordecai), Evelyn Chick (SIMPL THINGS; Evelyn Chick Projects), Eva Chin (Yan Dining Room), Donna Dooher (Mildred\u2019s Temple Kitchen), Nicole Hynes (Sand & Pearl), Charlotte Langley (Nice Cans), Alida Solomon (Tutti Matti), Laurel Prentice (Moxie\u2019s), Erica Karbelnik (Karbs Catering & Private Events), and Marissa leon-John (Elle Jays) with additional participants to be announced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe are honoured to partner with Restaurants Canada to advance equity and create meaningful change across the sector,\u201d says Joanna Jagger, Founder & CEO of WORTH Association. \u201cThis program provides mentorship, scholarships, and opportunities for women to take centre stage and showcase their creations. We are thrilled to bring Yes Shef to Mississauga alongside RC Show in our shared effort to retain, develop, and advance women in F&B.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To purchase tickets for Yes Shef GTA 2026, visit rcshow.com.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

RC Show 2026 will also feature expanded programming dedicated to women\u2019s leadership and advancement, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n