ABSTRACT
Over the last five decades there has been a growing consciousness opposed to the unequal treatment of women. The case study of the chef role provides valuable insights into covert prejudice and subtle discrimination experienced by women who wish to become chefs. The chapter highlights the covert prejudice that implies that cooking for a living is a typical pink-collar job but defines chefs as a stereotypical male role. It is not accidental that whilst women constitute the majority of those who cook, both commercially and domestically, that fine dining is prepared by men and the role becomes differentiated by name, culture, and appearance. Cuisine dining is rarefied through the repute of individual chefs and thereby more confirmation of the elite diner’s elevated status. The chapter reflects upon issues of status between male and female labour through covert prejudices and barriers presented to women wishing to enter job roles that subtly preclude them because they are not men.
