11 of Yorkshire’s most inspiring female head chefs and operators

With International Women’s Day making its annual return, it’s time we shine a light on the female powerhouses taking over the restaurant scene in our beloved county.

In the largely male-dominated industry, we’re proud to see more and more female chefs and operators being honoured with awards and opening up their own bricks-and-mortar sites.

In celebration, we are highlighting a selection of female chefs and operators in Yorkshire who are making waves, setting a perfect example for aspiring women in the next generation.

Ruth Hansom – Head Chef & Owner of Hansom, Bedale

First on our list for celebrating International Women’s Day is 2017 ‘Young National Chef of the Year’ Ruth Hansom – their first-ever female winner and a force to be reckoned with. You may also recognise her as a BBC Great British Menu finalist in 2020 too.

The former chef at The Ritz fell in love with cooking as a young teen after getting into growing fruit and veg, and recently completed a 6-month residency in 2023 as Executive Head Chef at the magnificent Swinton Estate in Ripon.

Last year she opened her own British restaurant and wine bar Hansom in Bedale alongside her husband, Mark. Housed in a beautiful Grade II listed building, she offers three distinct menus – a 7-course tasting, 3-course Sunday Roast, and small plates list – alongside a carefully curated offering of drinks.

7-9 N End, Bedale DL8 1AF – 07938 708604

Vicky Overington – Sommelier & General Manager at Mýse, Hovingham

Sommelier and General Manager Vicky Overington runs Hovingham-based British restaurant Mýse in partnership with husband and Head Chef, Josh Overington. First opened in the summer of 2023, it received its first Michelin star after only 7 months at the 2024 ceremony hosted in Manchester.

Previously working at the greatly-missed Le Cochon Aveugle restaurant in York, Vicky oversees the front of house as well as sharing her expert knowledge of wine with customers, helping to pair the perfect bottle of wine with Joshua’s flavourful dishes.

Main St, Hovingham, York YO62 4LF 

Frances Atkins – Owner & Chef of Paradise, Harrogate

Best known as the first female British chef to win a Michelin Star, this list wouldn’t be complete without Frances Atkins.

One of just a handful of Michelin-starred female chefs in the UK, she began her career aged just 17 at beautiful French fine-dining restaurant The Box Tree in Ilkley. She then spent some time in Scotland before flying to Copenhagen to work for La Glace – the oldest confectioner in Denmark.

Aged 23, she married a man who found it socially unacceptable for her to work and endured a 10-year hiatus from cooking professionally before divorcing and ultimately returning to the kitchen. Then, in 1997 she became Head Chef at the Yorke Arms – the place where she won and retained her star for 16 years until the release of the 2020 Michelin Guide.

Frances now owns and runs Paradise on the outskirts of Harrogate, a seasonal cafe that serves nutritious breakfast, lunch and brunch – a place to visit for incredible flavours. A proud addition to our list of female head chefs for International Women’s Day.

Killinghall, Harrogate HG3 2AY – 01423 877109

Elizabeth Cottam – Chef Patron & Owner of The Owl, Leeds

Owner of successful Leeds restaurant The Owl, Elizabeth Cottam originally came from a business background before stepping into the food and drink industry.

First discovering her love for cooking as a Masterchef amateur back in 2016, after making it into the semi-finals she went on to develop her skills at The Box Tree in Ilkley – just like Frances Atkins.

Her technical abilities, ingredient knowledge and powerful flavour combinations shine through at her smaller, laid-back waterside restaurant. If you’re searching for the very best local game, meat and fish then The Owl is a must-visit.

The Owl, Mustard Wharf, Mustard Approach, Holbeck, Lockside LS1 4EY – 0113 531 6621

Minal Patel – Head Chef at Prashad, Drighlington

A former mentee of Gordon Ramsey, Minal Patel is Head Chef at Prashad – one of the North’s most highly awarded Indian kitchens and runners up on the hit UK TV show, Ramsey’s Best Restaurant. This flavourful Indian restaurant serves authentic Gujarati cuisine, using seasonal Yorkshire produce to craft tasting menus that are widely loved.

Over recent years, under the influence of Minal and her husband Bobby, the Drighlington-based restaurant has won a Michelin Bib Gourmand award alongside two AA Rosettes. Putting a twist on vegetarian Indian food is Minal’s speciality and it’s one we definitely recommend trying. We’re proud to celebrate her for International Women’s Day.

137 Whitehall Rd, Drighlington, Bradford BD11 1AT – 0113 285 2037

Nina Matsunaga – Head Chef & Co-Owner of The Black Bull Inn, Sedbergh

The award-winning Black Bull in Sedbergh is headed up by Nina Matsunaga and can be found along the Yorkshire Dales border. Born and raised in Dusseldorf, Germany to Japanese parents, both cultures have had a huge influence on her cooking style.

In 2014 she relocated to Sedbergh to open her first restaurant The Three Hares alongside her husband, James. The Three Hares has received several accolades including a feature in the Good Food Guide; but today you’ll find Nina stationed in the kitchen at The Black Bull, fusing influences from her upbringing with James’s Yorkshire Dales heritage.

Her highly-trained skills over the years led to her first appearance in BBC’s favourite cooking competition, The Great British Menu for the 2024 series, featuring alongside a strong line-up of other female chefs across Britain.

44 Main St, Sedbergh LA10 5BL – 015396 20264

Molly Payne – Private Chef & Founder of ByMolly, based in Yorkshire

Another strong chef to celebrate this International Women’s Day is Yorkshire-based chef Molly Smith who developed a strong love for cooking from an early age. Beginning her work life as a chef at the neighbourhood French restaurant, Kendall’s Bistro in Leeds, Smith has gone on to establish her own private catering company.

Bringing together her love for Yorkshire cuisine, she watched her business boom within three years of operating – going from a small business to a renowned catering business in the North of England. She then went on to appear on Masterchef: The Professionals in 2023 in an attempt to grow her skills even more.

Samira Effa – Epicurean Duo

Samira Effa is a notorious figure in the hospitality industry including three appearances on the Great British Menu. She took over the Head Chef role at EightyEight in April 2022 and her love for the craft continues to grow. Drawing inspiration from her eclectic upbringing and mixed Iranian-Nigerian heritage, Samira is constantly learning new things after more than 17 years in the tough industry.

Now, she’s one half of Epicurean Duo, an exclusive private dining experience with Master Chef finalist George Birtwell. The pair will curate intimate, tailor-made menus that celebrate seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and provenance.

Grantley Hall, Ripon HG4 3ET – 01765 620070

Manjit Kaur – Head Chef & Owner at Manjit’s Kitchen, Leeds

A Leeds legend for many years and a long-standing role model to female chefs across Yorkshire, Manjit Kaur needs no introduction. Founder, owner and Head Chef of everyone’s favourite Punjabi street food spot Manjit’s Kitchen, with the exception of her husband Manjit’s business is entirely female-run.

Since founding the business in 2010, she initially started out offering weekend deliveries before bringing her home-cooked food to festivals, farmers’ markets and weddings in a bright yellow horse.

Leeds Kirkgate Market, George St, Leeds LS2 7HY – 07941 183132

Alice Power – Head Chef at The Black Swan at Oldstead

Since joining the Black Swan at Oldstead team in October 2021 as Chef De Partie, Alice Power has officially stepped into the role of Head Chef of the Michelin-star restaurant. The former Senior Sous Chef was appointed at Tommy Banks’ restaurant in February 2024, with future plans to focus on their ever-evolving tasting menu.

Adding another excellent female chef to our list for International Women’s Day, Alice Power is set to bring her own flare to the restaurant that has retained its Michelin Star since 2011 and is currently awarded 4 AA Rosettes.

Oldstead, York, North Yorkshire, YO61 4BL

Shane (Weike) Zhao – Head Chef at Wood Hall Hotel & Spa, Wetherby

Before moving to the UK to continue her career, Shane Zhao spent many years working in the food sector in Australia. Before starting her current residency at Wood Hall Hotel & Spa in 2022, she impressively achieved two Michelin plates.

Taking inspiration from seasonal produce across our beautiful county, she proudly combines these with strong Asian ingredients to craft a tasting menu you can’t find anywhere else.

Trip Ln, Linton, Wetherby LS22 4JA – 01937 587271

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