Women In The Kitchen

You would think that women running restaurants and being top chefs would be common by now.Surprisingly it isn't.For the last two centuries men have been on charge of the world's best eateries.However that's all changing.There are a growing number of influential female chefs who have making their mark in the tough and demanding world of the industry. Julia Moskin explored this in today's New York Times Dining section.Ms.Moskin herself is the doyenne of this newapaper's section and she ,too has contributed some of the best written features and recipes over the years. her research has shed light on the restaurant industry.While top female chefs are no longer a rarity. They aren't exactly commonplace.Men still rule because there are no perks.As any restaurant worker can tell you, there are very few benefits.No insurance palms are offered as wells no paid vacations or pay raises.However that's changing Some of Manhattan's top restaurants like Momofuko are offering paid maternity and paternity leaves as well as all inclusive health and dental insurance.Progressive chefs like the famous Alice Waters who created Chez Panisse wants fellow restauranteurs do to more.She herself has pioneered job sharing jobs for parents along with furloughs to allow workers to take a break from the busy and always stressful life that comes with kitchen work. This way of thinking and treating employees fairly is still an uphill battle.A restaurant kitchen is like a combat zone and workers from the sous chef to even busboys get stressed out by it.Unfortunately when they do complain to their managers ,they're almost always shown the door.(especially in diners).Even famed places ,like the late great Lutece was Dickensian to work for as one chef recounted.Ivan Orkin who now owns his own restaurant,IvanRamen Slurp Shop has said that even if you broke your leg ,just lean against the wall and continue on.Luckily for women restaurant workers nowadays there is the Toklas Society which helps them.Named for Gertrude Steins"s friend Alice B. Toklas. This networking group helps them find jobs as well as INS in some of the best restaurants. Hopefully there will be more women chefs than men one day.Thanks to better work conditions it will happen.The kitchen is a workplace and like any workplace equality should reign supreme.

is Veganism For You?

A lot of people want to change their lifestyles with a new year.One choice is This is vegetarianism to the extreme.Is it feasible to go from a dairy loving carnivore to all natural herbivores.Yes and no.The answer depends really on the person. True vegans eschew meat, dairy and eggs.They probably are choosing this life style because they are true animal lovers and cringe at the idea of harming any living creature.This is solely a plant based diet.It can be extreme, especially if a person loves ice cream or a Western omelet.There are substitutes such as soy eggs as well as varieties of soy and coconut based ice cream.Cow's milk can be replaced with almond or rice.It doesn't have the smoothness or body of "real milk" and may ruin a recipe calling for milk.You can also buy vegan cheeses too made with soy.They can be used to make grilled cheese or used in salads.Portabello mushrooms are a must if you switch over.They are a whole food and can be cooked like any steak. One of the problems with veganism is trying to replace a favorite food.Sometimes that garden burger just won't cut it and that newly minted vegan really wants a juicy burger.Another problem is most fast-food joints and restaurants are not truly geared for vegans.Your best bet is Wendy's where you can get a baked potato with margarine.Also try pizzerias that feature a no cheese version of Sicilian pizza known as nonna's or grandma's style.Chinese restaurants and take outs have a little more variety as far as with true veggie dishes.Settle on any noodle, rice or bean curd based dish.Also spring rolls and cabbage stuffed dim sum are good choices whether for appetizers or the main dish.As for desserts ,most large cities like New York andLos Angeles have vegan geared bakeries.Also the web can lead you to vegan bakery sites where you can order on line. Veganism is a healthy route to take.It can also be a difficult one too.Luckily you can sub in non animal based foods with plant based ones