Talking Heads: International Women's Day Special

To mark International Women's Day (8 March), this edition of Talking Heads is dedicated to the incredible female operators who energise, invigorate and empower the UK hospitality workforce. Here, three inspiring leaders of the sector share insights on the challenges they’ve faced and changes they’d like to see to make the industry a better place for ambitious women

Annie's Burger Shack
Name: Annie Spaziano
Job title: Founder and owner
Business profile: Annie Spaziano owns and operates Annie’s Burger Shack, which was established in Nottingham in 2009. The brand now also has an outpost in Derby. Inspired by her childhood growing up in Providence, Rhode Island, Spaziano serves a wide range of authentic American burgers, all of which are available in vegan, veggie and meat varieties.

Dine Out (DO): What barriers or stigmas have you faced as a woman in hospitality and how have you overcome them?
Annie Spaziano (AS): I have experienced what some might call gender bias – there was a perception that I was less capable right from the start. I overcame this by demonstrating that I didn’t really care. And I didn’t! I was too excited and focused on what I was able to do.
I used my knowledge and passion to guard myself from the barriers and locked doors I faced. Doing that can be tough if it means other people’s egos are bruised along the way, even if it wasn’t in any way intentional.
My only focus was on delivering burgers and food that I knew and grew up with, being inclusive within my business and proving I was competent to customers and colleagues alike. I think if women didn’t care what others thought of them, they would excel and fly like rockets. That usually comes with age and experience, but they can always try it as an exercise.

DO: How do you empower female recruits looking to forge a career in the restaurant business?
AS: When I started out, I hired two 17-year-old girls who were best friends. It was also their first full-time job. Their personalities were very different – Abbie was shy but brave, while Amie was emboldened and assertive.
They both worked with me and worked hard. I included them and made them feel they were part of it all, putting them in positions I knew they’d work best. They were just as much a part of building my business as I was and they stayed with me until they moved onto their own careers – and succeeded.
Both told me they learned so much and I gave them the confidence to know that they could do it too. I’ve always kept that with me.

DO: Are there any pressing developments you hope to see in terms of gender diversity and equality in the workplace?
AS: I would like to see the implementation of mentorships and initiatives that help to provide guidance, support and opportunities for career development. I like to think I’ve always been helpful to women and underrepresented genders, both in my business and personally. It doesn’t matter how big or small your business is; it’s the right thing to do.

DO: If there is one key piece of advice you could give a young woman keen to make her way in the industry, what would it be?
AS: One key piece of advice I would give is to prioritise networking and relationship building.
Get yourself known. The hospitality industry thrives on personal connections and word-of-mouth recommendations. So, actively engage with industry professionals, attend events, join professional organisations and seek out mentorship opportunities. It will expand your network and open doors to new opportunities.

DO: What women inspire you and why?
AS: I’m inspired by any woman who inspires other women! It sounds cliché but there are so many out there. Start with those nearest and dearest to you.

Rosa's Thai
Name: Saiphin Moore
Job title: Founder and co-owner
Business profile: Thai native Saphin Moore established the first branch of Rosa’s Thai in Spitalfields with her husband, Alex Moore, in 2008. One year later, the couple sold their house in Hong Kong to fund the launch of the second restaurant in Soho. Now, the chain has over 40 restaurants across the UK and one in Dubai.

DO: What barriers or stigmas have you faced as a woman in hospitality and how have you overcome them?
Saiphin Moore (SM): Growing up in Thailand in the 70s, societal norms dictated men as leaders, even within my own household. This mindset made me doubt myself. I remember the time I ran for school president; I was the only female in the race, which made me feel like I didn’t belong. Fast forward to the hospitality scene and there are some similarities. I’m often the only woman in a room full of men, especially in leadership gatherings. This just makes me cling to my passions even more firmly, believing that pursuing what I love and being good at what I do should come before any gender biases.

DO: How do you empower female recruits looking to forge a career in the restaurant business?
SM: The first thing to say (and I say it proudly) is that we have no shortage of strong females at Rosa’s, many of whom are working mothers. Our board is 50% female, our top three chefs are female and our operations team has a 50:50 male/female split. Leading by example is the most powerful way to change perceptions. We also have clearly defined pathways to support everyone in their career progression. Our teams drive their own development and earn more as they learn.

DO: What achievement are you most proud of and why?
SM: My proudest accomplishment is building a thriving business in such a tough market. As a woman from a rural upbringing, it’s like transforming a cherished dream into reality. To see Rosa’s in all corners of the country is a dream come true. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that one day I would be working alongside the leaders and top entrepreneurs in the UK. Transitioning from an outsider to a valued contributor in the industry gives me so much pride and fills me with joy. It’s a testament to the power of passion and determination.

DO: Are there any pressing developments you hope to see in terms of gender diversity and equality in the workplace?
SM: We have enhanced our maternity leave here at Rosa’s to try to support our working mums further but there is still a long way to go. The gender pay gap is still a very current problem.

DO: If there is one key piece of advice you could give a young woman keen to make her way in the hospitality industry, what would it be?
SM: First and foremost is to not ever doubt yourself and your abilities. Blend honesty and diligence with a healthy dose of adaptability. While integrity and hard work lay the foundation, resilience and intuition in handling situations are equally crucial.

DO: What women inspire you and why?
SM: Margaret Thatcher. I admire her for her strong leadership and determination to break gender barriers as the first female British prime minister.

Littlefrench, Littleshop & 1 York Place
Name: Nessa Bird
Job title: Founder and co-owner
Business profile: Nessa Bird owns and operates restaurants in Bristol with her husband Freddy. Littlefrench in Westbury Park offers an unpretentious menu of French cuisine, while Littleshop & Pantry in Henleaze is a bakery, café, deli and kitchen rolled into one. Their most recent venture, 1 York Place launched on the outskirts of Clifton Village just before Christmas.

DO: What barriers or stigmas have you faced as a woman in hospitality and how have you overcome them?
Nessa Bird (NB): I think hospitality is probably one of the few industries that is fundamentally inclusive of both sexes. There are fewer women in the kitchen than there are front-of-house, but I don’t believe this to be based on prejudice. In my experience, the biggest prejudice has been from people so often assuming that the businesses that my husband and I jointly own and run are ‘Freddy’s place’. To be honest it usually makes me smile, but it’s interesting that in 2024, the world still wants the man to be in charge. Subconsciously I wonder on what level it’s just engrained. I do think things are changing and our children don’t think like that, so it may not be the case for much longer. Future generations will definitely shift the narrative and quash the prejudice.

DO: How Do you empower female recruits looking to forge a career in the restaurant business?
NB: Two of our three sites are run by women. The ability to do a job comes from experience and willingness to put in the work. If you’re keen to get into this world then you’ll put in the hours, learn the trade and if you truly enjoy it, then the rest will follow.

DO: What achievement are you most proud of and why?
NB: Developing self-belief. Moving forward. Sticking with it, basically. It may sound daft, but self-doubt is the biggest obstacle for most people, and I think this is especially true of women. We tend to be perfectionists and believe that if you can’t achieve absolute perfection or believe yourself to be a perfect fit for a role or project, then you shouldn’t go for it. It’s nonsense of course, but I think it’s a common mistake we as women make when going into something new.

DO: Are there any pressing developments you hope to see in terms of gender diversity and quality in the workplace?
NB: It would be good to see more women in the kitchen. They bring a healthy energy to the space. We’ve had lots of female chefs over the years but when recruiting, there are definitely fewer CVs from women landing in our inbox than from men. Diversity is ideal for both back- and front-of-house. Our bakery has a team of four in the kitchen and two of them are women. It’s great and the energy is so different.

DO: If there is one key piece of advice you could give a young woman keen to make her way in the hospitality industry, what would it be?
NB: Enjoy the start of the journey and don’t be afraid to take risks. Also, take time off should you want to start a family. I had a whole other career in an ad agency before this chapter of my life, and becoming a mother. In that time away from work I grew so much and, by the time I came back, I was far better attuned to what I wanted. It didn’t hinder my growth, it was actually an incredible opportunity to take stock and think about what I was good at and what I wanted – or rather, didn’t want – for the rest of my working life.

DO: What women inspire you and why?
NB: I’d say firstly both my grandmothers. Both incredible women – one French, one English, both forces of nature growing up. Also, honest modern female entrepreneurs who aren’t afraid to show their weaknesses and use them as a springboard for change. Honestly though, I find genuine inspiration in so many women around me.

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