dish.

Fuelling Women Leaders in Food—And Those Who Aspire

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.

The issue isn’t just the glass ceiling—it’s 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—and systemic.

**Restaurants Canada created dish. to help change that.**

Launched on International Women’s Day with a sold-out brunch at Mildred’s Temple Kitchen in Toronto—a space helmed by trailblazing chef and restaurateur Donna Dooher—the 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. “We created dish. to provide a platform for real change,” says Kelly Higginson, President & CEO of Restaurants Canada. “Women are proven innovators among many other strengths and talents, yet we’re 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.”

Creating spaces for conversation and connection.

At the heart of dish. 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.

The launch of dish. is just the beginning,” says Higginson. “When we amplify real stories, we expose the systemic challenges holding women back while showcasing the full spectrum of female leadership—from 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.”

What’s the next course?

dish. is expanding its reach with:

Virtual dish. meet-ups that connect and support women in foodservice across Canada for candid conversations around leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and more.
Special dish. gatherings and events designed to grow networks and pair experienced leaders with rising stars.
An all-new and unfiltered dish. content series in MENU Magazine designed to elevate and celebrate women leaders in foodservice.

As dish. expands, Restaurants Canada is calling on industry leaders to step up— not just to support women, but to actively dismantle the barriers holding them back. “We need to move past performative allyship,” says Higginson. “Success isn’t about checking a diversity box—it’s about ensuring women are given the same opportunities to lead and thrive as their male counterparts. Our hope is that women join the dish. community to share their experiences and perspectives. By fostering real connections, we’re not just closing the gap; we’re building a stronger, more inclusive industry where talent—not gender—determines success.”