The food and beverage industry has a problem. Despite women making up a significant portion of the workforce in restaurants, bars, and hospitality venues worldwide, fewer than 7% of the world’s top restaurants are led by women. It’s a staggering statistic that reveals just how much untapped leadership potential exists in our industry.
But here’s the good news: Rosewood Foundation is doing something about it.
The luxury hospitality group has just launched “Rise to the Table,” a first-of-its-kind global program designed to shatter the glass ceiling in food and beverage leadership. This isn’t just another feel-good initiative – it’s a comprehensive, fully-funded program that could reshape how we think about developing female talent in our industry.
Breaking Down the Gender Gap in F&B Leadership
Let’s be honest about where we stand. While women excel in countless roles across the food service industry – from servers and bartenders to sous chefs and managers – the climb to executive positions remains steep. The numbers don’t lie: leadership roles in the food and beverage sector are overwhelmingly held by men.
This isn’t just about fairness (though that matters). It’s about missed opportunities. When we limit leadership to such a narrow demographic, we’re essentially leaving money on the table. Different perspectives drive innovation, and innovation drives profit. The food and beverage industry thrives on creativity and fresh ideas – qualities that emerge from diverse leadership teams.
“Women remain significantly underrepresented in food and beverage leadership,” acknowledges the stark reality facing our industry. But programs like Rise to the Table represent a turning point where awareness translates into action.
What Makes Rise to the Table Different
Unlike typical mentorship programs or one-off workshops, Rise to the Table takes a holistic approach to leadership development. Here’s what sets it apart:
Global Reach, Local Impact: The program selects 10 women from around the world, ensuring diverse perspectives and experiences. This isn’t limited to one region or market – it’s truly international in scope.
Fully Funded: Money shouldn’t be a barrier to leadership development. The entire program, including the week-long residency, is completely funded by Rosewood Foundation.
Real-World Application: Participants don’t just learn theory. They engage with Hong Kong’s renowned food and beverage scene, visiting local markets, farms, and restaurants led by the city’s top talent.
The Program Structure: From Residency to Mentorship
The Rise to the Table experience unfolds in two phases, each designed to maximize long-term career impact.
Phase One: Week-Long Residency in Hong Kong
In March 2026, the selected participants will converge at Rosewood Hong Kong for an intensive week of learning and networking. The curriculum covers essential leadership skills that many talented professionals never get the chance to develop:
- Personal Branding: In today’s food and beverage landscape, your personal brand can be as important as your restaurant’s brand. Participants learn how to articulate their vision and build their professional presence.
- Financial Literacy: Understanding P&L statements, cost control, and financial planning are crucial for any leadership role. This isn’t just about reading numbers – it’s about making strategic decisions that drive profitability.
- Sustainability-Driven Innovation: Modern consumers care about sustainability, and forward-thinking leaders need to understand how environmental considerations impact menu development, sourcing, and operations.
The experiential learning component includes wine tastings, market tours, and group dining experiences at restaurants and bars led by Hong Kong’s celebrated culinary professionals. It’s learning through doing – the way most of us learn best in this industry.
Phase Two: Year-Long Mentorship Journey
The real magic happens after the residency ends. Each participant is paired with a senior Rosewood leader for a full year of mentorship. This isn’t casual advice over coffee – it’s structured guidance designed to accelerate career momentum.
“This serves as a cornerstone to the program, ensuring community and guidance translate into career momentum,” explains the program’s framework. The mentorship component recognizes that lasting change requires ongoing support, not just a one-week intensive.
Leadership Voices Behind the Initiative
Sonia Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group, frames the program’s mission clearly: “By championing the extraordinary women shaping the future of food and beverage, we are not only supporting individual careers but also creating systemic change. This program aims to cultivate equity, innovation, and leadership in an industry that inspires and unites. We’re not just changing the narrative; we’re creating a new one that highlights the diverse talent shaping the future.”
Mehvesh Mumtaz Ahmed, Vice President of Impact and Sustainability at Rosewood Hotel Group, adds context about the foundation’s broader work: “Rosewood Foundation has worked behind the scenes since 2022 with the singular focus of making our communities more accessible, equitable, and sustainable. With the official launch of Rise to the Table, we are proud to extend that mission even further – empowering women with the tools, expertise, and opportunities they need to thrive, fostering a more inclusive future in hospitality and beyond.”
Why This Matters for Your Business
If you’re a restaurant owner, bar manager, or hospitality leader, you might wonder how this program affects your operation. The answer is simple: it’s creating a pipeline of better-trained, more diverse leadership talent.
Think about your own hiring challenges. How often have you struggled to find qualified candidates for management positions? Programs like Rise to the Table are developing exactly the kind of leaders you need – professionals with business acumen, creative vision, and the practical skills to execute in high-pressure environments.
The hospitality industry benefits when we invest in developing all available talent. Every successful participant in this program represents a potential executive chef, general manager, beverage director, or even restaurant owner who might one day enhance your market.
The Broader Impact on Food and Beverage Trends
Programs like Rise to the Table don’t just develop individual careers – they influence industry-wide trends. When more diverse voices reach leadership positions, we see:
- Menu Innovation: Different cultural backgrounds and perspectives drive creativity in menu development and beverage programming.
- Operational Excellence: Fresh approaches to staffing, training, and customer service often emerge from leaders who’ve had to think differently about problem-solving.
- Market Expansion: Diverse leadership teams are better equipped to serve diverse customer bases and identify new market opportunities.
The food and beverage management landscape is evolving, and programs that systematically develop underrepresented talent are positioning the industry for sustainable growth.
How to Apply and Get Involved
Applications for Rise to the Table are open now through October 13, 2025. If you know talented women in food and beverage roles who could benefit from this opportunity, encourage them to apply at careers.rosewoodhotelgroup.com/risetothetable.
The application process is comprehensive, requiring resumes, reference letters, and video responses that demonstrate both professional experience and leadership potential. Candidates are asked to discuss industry figures they admire and share formative experiences that have shaped their careers.
Even if you’re not applying yourself, you can support this initiative by:
- Sharing the opportunity with qualified candidates in your network
- Mentoring women in your own organization
- Creating advancement opportunities within your business
- Supporting other diversity and inclusion initiatives in the food service industry
The Future of F&B Leadership
Rise to the Table represents more than just one program – it’s part of a larger movement toward more inclusive leadership in the food and beverage sector. The program will recur annually, with the residency rotating across Rosewood Hotel Group’s global portfolio, ensuring ongoing impact year after year.
Since 2022, Rosewood Foundation has already upskilled more than 300 women and young people across 13 countries and empowered over 60 entrepreneurs. This track record suggests that Rise to the Table will deliver measurable results, not just good intentions.
The food and beverage industry has always been about bringing people together, creating experiences, and building community. Programs like Rise to the Table ensure that the leaders shaping those experiences reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
As our industry continues to evolve, initiatives that develop underrepresented talent aren’t just the right thing to do – they’re smart business. The restaurants, bars, and hospitality companies that embrace this approach will be better positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive and diverse marketplace.
For more information about Rosewood Foundation’s broader initiatives, visit rosewoodhotelgroup.com.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
