By Dame Jen Greenhalgh
Happy Pride Month!!
I am a proud member of Les Dames d’Escoffier London and also a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community. In fact, it was the commitment of LDE London and LDE International to supporting its members and the amazing group of forward-thinking women at its core that inspired me to get involved in the first place.
One of the key aspects of being a Dame is showing up as your authentic self and leading the way for other women in the hospitality industry. This is why it’s important that we honour the history of the gay community and acknowledge that there are still many instances and places around the world where people, especially women, cannot be themselves or are punished for being LGBTQIA+.
Beyond the festivities, Pride Month holds a special significance for our organisation. It embodies our core values of inclusion, diversity, and community – principles that are essential to our mission in the food and drink industry.
Pride Month reminds us of the importance of creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.
Food and drink has always been a universal language, transcending boundaries and bringing people together. In the same way, Pride Month reminds us of the beauty of diversity. It’s a celebration of different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives that enrich our culinary landscape.
Representation matters. If you can’t see it, then you can’t be it. I’m fortunate to be able to live without fear of persecution for being gay, supported by those around me, and to have found accepting groups like LDE London to be a part of. However, rights should never be taken for granted. By celebrating Pride, we contribute to changing the world for the better, one step at a time. Every Pride post on social media matters, every pin badge, every act of alliance and kindness matters. The world of food, drink, and hospitality would be far poorer without its LGBTQIA+ members.
So, let’s raise a glass this Pride Month and celebrate the wonderfully rich and diverse group of women we are.
Two wonderful friends of mine, The Davids (musician David and his husband Dave, the Navy guy) who reside in San Francisco and throw the best pride parties I know swear by this cocktail called a Lady Guadalupe and who am I to disagree? See the Recipes Section for details.