Most Kenyans Say Culinary Talent Has No Gender, But Kitchen Leadership Bias Persists

A new survey by Bolt Food reveals that a strong majority of Kenyans believe culinary talent transcends gender, but perceptions around leadership in professional kitchens still show notable gaps. The survey, conducted in February 2026 by Ipsos, found that 61% of Kenyan respondents say gender is irrelevant when asked who makes a better restaurant chef. The findings suggest that most consumers judge chefs by skill rather than identity. Encouragingly, Kenyans report equal trust in male and female chefs. Both are seen as equally capable of preparing tasty dishes, demonstrating creativity, adapting to customers’ needs and delivering consistent quality.

While cooking ability is widely viewed as gender-neutral, the survey highlights differences in how leadership attributes are perceived. The largest perception gap in Kenya relates to authority in professional kitchens. Male chefs are seen as establishing authority more easily, with a 22-percentage-point advantage in this category. Meanwhile, women are more frequently associated with being better suited to home cooking than running a professional restaurant, a 15-percentage-point gap that reflects persistent traditional stereotypes.

Among the minority who expressed a preference for one gender over the other, 31% said they believe men make better restaurant chefs, compared to 8% who favor women. However, the dominant narrative remains clear, most Kenyans see culinary excellence itself as independent of gender.

The study surveyed 500 adults aged 18–55 in Kenya through online interviews conducted via the Ipsos Digital Platform. The sample reflects national population structures by age, gender and region. The research was also conducted across seven European markets: Poland, Slovakia, Czechia, Portugal, Romania, Ukraine and Bulgaria.

Mare Heinluht, Diversity and Inclusion Manager at Bolt, said: “While it’s encouraging that most people say a chef’s gender does not matter, our data shows that perceptions still diverge when it comes to leadership. Across markets, the biggest gap is not about cooking skills, which are widely seen as equal, but about authority, with men more often perceived as establishing it more easily in professional kitchens. This tells us the challenge is not competence, but leadership legitimacy, which is in correlation with the challenges women face in other industries as well. This survey revealed that women are frequently associated with attention to detail and atmosphere, while men are more strongly linked to authority and command. These perceptions influence who advances and who leads. For International Women’s Day, we want to move beyond celebration and focus on progress. If we agreed that talent has no gender, then our expectations around leadership in gastronomy should reflect that.”

Across markets, women are more often associated with attention to detail, care and atmosphere, while men are more strongly linked to command and authority. Such perceptions can shape career progression and leadership opportunities within the hospitality industry.

Anna Leali, Managing Director at Non Solo Gelato, believes modern hospitality leadership requires a blend of strengths: “Women lead with empathy, intuition and long term vision. Hospitality is not just operational ,it is emotional. As women, we understand nurturing whether it is a family, a team or a brand. The future of the restaurant industry will belong to leaders who combine structure with humanity, discipline with care.”

Beyond the kitchen, women are increasingly choosing delivery as a flexible and accessible pathway to financial independence. Food and grocery delivery offers structured routes, app-based transparency, and greater control over schedules, creating a predictable working environment that appeals to many female couriers seeking autonomy, safety and stability.

Since launching in Kenya in 2021, Bolt Food has expanded to partner with more than 3,000 restaurants and retail outlets nationwide, delivering millions of meals and daily essentials. The platform also works with over 6,000 couriers, contributing to Kenya’s fast-growing digital and on-demand economy.

As food delivery continues to reshape urban dining culture, Bolt Food remains committed to supporting an inclusive food ecosystem, one where talent, innovation and leadership opportunities are driven by ability, not assumptions.

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