For International Women’s Day, the Michelin Guide has highlighted five exceptional women chefs whose work is shaping the future of cuisine. These leaders helm restaurants in Mexico City, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and New Orleans. Their innovation and commitment to supporting their teams stand out in the culinary world.
The Michelin Guide's feature emphasizes how these chefs excel in their craft while fostering supportive environments for staff, from line cooks to farmers. Norma Listman runs Masala y Maíz in Mexico City, Mexico, bringing her vision to the table. In Washington D.C., Tatiana Mora leads Mita, recognized as the youngest Venezuelan chef to helm a Michelin-starred restaurant. As a certified sommelier and wellness coach, she focuses on empowering women in kitchens and prioritizing well-being. "I am a woman and I am a mother. I have to be healthy first for me, then I can be there for the rest of the people around me," Mora says. "We [women] are like the pachamama."
Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon opened Kalaya in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 2019 at age 50, naming it after her mother. Now 57, she was named to the Time 100 list last year. Her menu draws from childhood memories in Trang, southern Thailand, including her father’s preferred curry and her mother’s gaeng som, a spicy sour curry with chiles, garlic, shallots, and turmeric. Dishes like caramelized pork belly with tamarind also feature. “My food is whatever I want to cook, whatever I have in mind,” she says. “I run my kitchen because I want to have fun, and I want to share my culture. I want to be nice to my staff and I want to talk to the customers.” Suntaranon credits success to hard work: “I started this career at 50 years old. This year, I'm 57. Last year I was named on the Time 100. Each one of us can write our own destiny, but we all have to put our work in.” She is now exploring flavors from Thailand’s Muslim south for Kalaya’s next menu, noting their humble, warm qualities.
Ana Sortun oversees Oleana in Cambridge, Massachusetts, while Sue Zemanick directs Zasu in New Orleans, Louisiana. These chefs demonstrate that women can lead in fine dining while ensuring those around them thrive.
