Women have long had trouble standing out in the world of work and, therefore, in that of the gastronomy. It is difficult to be a professional cook and shine in a sector where the majority of those who succeed are hombres. In addition, there is a great lack of visibility of women in this world. The glass ceiling It has prevented women dedicated to the kitchen from succeeding. But, even so, there are many who have achieved it and that we are going to talk about today, in this International Women's Day. Do you want to know them and know why they have stood out?
Women, leaders of great restaurants
It is important that you know that more than half of the active population dedicated to hospitality in Spain is female (52%) according to The world is. And one of the most successful women in the gastronomy sector is Christina Figueira. Your restaurant, number 1 in the list of the top 10 restaurants led by women of the portal Fork, is named The Xato and is located in La Nucia (in Alicante), between the sea and the mountains, in the Marina Baixa.
Figueira has been leading this family business for many years, although before being a cook she was a dental hygienist. This very special restaurant was born about 100 years ago and has gone from being a winery, where wine was sold in bulk, to becoming a Michelin star since 2018. The gastronomic roots of its land and the authenticity of its product are still present today. She learned from her mother-in-law the traditional and handles Alicante recipes with ease. In addition, it is capable of turning the dishes of a lifetime into dishes reinterpreted, updated and recreated with his personal style and creativity.
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Susi Díaz and Clara Puig
Two other great women cooks also stand out in Alicante. The first is Susi Diaz, owner of a restaurant in Elche who gave his name to Susi Díaz's farm. Her cuisine has been recognized and awarded and this restaurant, which she opened with her husband, José María García, more than 30 years ago, has since 2006 a estrella Michelin. This Head He has achieved everything with effort and perseverance, since in addition, Díaz stands out for being autodidactHe only learned with the help and expertise of his two grandmothers. The second woman is Clara Puig, which with a Michelin star, has its restaurant called Tula on the Arenal Beach of Jávea. In his restaurant, Puig, with his partner Borja Susilla, they pay tribute to traditional Mediterranean cuisine, honest and with quality raw materials.
Marisa Barberán, Ruscadella and Claver
Leaving aside the Costa Blanca, we now move to Zaragoza to talk about another great woman, Marisa Barberan. It has an establishment, La Prensa, a reference in maña gastronomy, whose avant-garde cuisine has been recognized with a red guide star.
Finally, we cannot forget that in Barcelona we have Carmen Ruscalleda placeholder image (one of the most recognized in haute cuisine) and Carlota Claver. Two Spanish women who, being very different, have something in common, a taste for demanding cuisine. The first is a tireless worker and defender of equality and the visibility of female talent. Preside over the collective TO, Women in Gastronomy, that eIt is a movement with a collaborative spirit that aims to promote the visibility of women in the sector. Ruscadella's cuisine is creative, surprising and sustainable, for this reason, it is known internationally and has been the winner of nothing more and nothing less than 7 Michelin stars. Finally, Claver is a young woman who, despite her young age, is an experienced cook who is committed to a combination of traditional flavors, using current techniques.
These six women are just a small representation of all the women who have risen to the gastronomic world. Thanks to their effort and passion they have fulfilled their dream, despite the inequalities that continue to exist and that, fortunately, every day we are closer to eradicating and achieving a society of and in equality in all fields. On this important day March 8, deserve special recognition and tribute, all these women in gastronomy.
