London's restaurant folk react to Marco Pierre White on women in kitchens

Gavin Hanly 29 August 2019

Another day, another restaurant opening - that's the cue for another interview from chef Marco Pierre White in which he holds forth, spouting all sorts of nonsense. This time it's via a restaurant interview with the Irish Independent in which Pierre White throws out all manner of sexist claptrap.

It's a predictable cycle which once again has resulted in loads of press coverage for the 'rent-a-controversy' chef. All of which made us wonder whether we should even give him a platform at all - but, well, the London restaurant scene's reaction to him has been rather brilliant.

From restaurateur Asma Khan to pastry wunderkind Calum Franklin, they've succeeded in both showing Marco up and smashing down his antiquated and downright foolish views. Take it away folks...

Calum Franklin, of Holborn Dining Room:

*When you are desperately trying to stay in the press by just saying controversial things.* Give it a rest Marco and stop ruining your legacy, wrong on every part of this. pic.twitter.com/Yhg0yMsHoT
— calum franklin (@chefcalum) August 28, 2019

James Murray - Maitre 'D of The Clove Club

There is no room in our industry for these out-dated views from Marco Pierre White, or any male. If you're not speaking out against this attitude, or working to eradicate it from your workplace, you are part of the problem too. We must all work together to fight for equality. https://t.co/AuEHUvAK0E
— James Murray (@JMurrayMaitreD) August 29, 2019

Darjeeling Express's Asma Khan:

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Women are more “emotional” in the kitchen-men “absorb the pressure of the kitchen better”- As a female restaurant owner working with 9 female chefs I cannot relate to ANYTHING he is saying about women in kitchens- I am so disappointed reading this by a venerated chef. #FeetOfClay
A post shared by Asma Khan (@asmakhanlondon) on Aug 28, 2019 at 2:43pm PDT

Giuseppe Bonura - chef de partie at Bistrotheque

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Wrong. If the best chefs are men, it's because they were inspired by their grandmother or mother. They say it as soon as possible. In terms of multitasking approach, organization and precision, women are very strong. And then, the delicate palate of a woman. Come on! . . . . . . . . . . #chef #blog #equality #womantoo #femalechef #sexsism #cheffe #chefrock #cook #cooking #restaurant #blogger #marcopierrewhite
A post shared by Giuseppe Bonura (@chef_giuseppe_bonura) on Aug 29, 2019 at 2:50am PDT

Temper's Neil Rankin:

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The only real difference between men and women in the kitchen is that men don’t have to put up with this nauseating baseless antiquated bullshit everyday. Women not only have to do the same exact job in every area of hospitality but also have had to contend with every oppressive jibe in the book from day one and not only from their colleagues but from industry leaders like this in 2019 ffs 🙄. Frankly I don’t think men could handle this bullshit every day. I think they’d crumble under the pressure. The whole article if you read it actually comes up the conclusion that women are better in the kitchen but unfortunately via all this clickbait nonsense from a rambling dinosaur . How about we just start judging people based on their individual performance and start promoting the much needed diversity within this dying industry that so desperately needs it.
A post shared by Neil Rankin (@frontlinechef) on Aug 29, 2019 at 12:50am PDT