Power women in hospitality joined a panel discussion unpacking their ups and downs in the industry at food, drink, and hospitality trade expo Hostex at the Sandton Convention Centre on 2 February.
Qualified chef and founder of By Word of Mouth Karen Short, chef at Grei at Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa Candice Philip, Jackie Cameron of the Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine, general manager of hospitality at Emperor’s Palace Rekha Bothma and Nadia Barnard of the Capsicum Culinary Studio in Rosebank offered their thoughts on the panel.
The women discussed their different journeys into hospitality, with Cameron describing hers as a natural progression from the kitchen at home and Barnard describing herself as a varsity dropout who later came into the industry and discovered her passion.
Philip drew attention to her high of winning Olympic gold with her team in 2008 and working with renowned chefs such as David Higgs and Luke Dale-Roberts.
“My biggest highlight was seeing my own restaurant, Grei, coming to life,” said Philip. She said her low was ending up in ICU with high blood pressure due to the stress involved in the job. “Now, I try to keep calm to look after myself.”
Cameron said her high was opening her own school and gaining respect among her peers.
“I never see a negative experience as a bad experience, but always see what I can learn from it,” said Cameron.
Bothma said the opportunity to travel and build relationships have undoubtedly been her highs. “My biggest low was when I was GM at a 38-bed boutique hotel and experienced a tumultuous time. I didn’t like my position because I wasn’t mentally prepared, but it toughened me up.”
Barnard said seeing graduates becoming successful and finding employment was her greatest joy. She advised aspiring scholars in the hospitality industry to ‘be tenacious, have flair and passion’.
The power women all emphasised the value of having good mentors in their success stories.
Cameron said her parents were her mentors. “At 70, my dad still gets up early to go to work, so how can I complain? I come from a hard-working household which has shown me the value of hard work.”
Related articles:
