A hospitality takeover of International Women’s Day

Posted on 1 March, 2022

Celebrating International Women’s Day usually involves getting together over breakfasts, lunches and dinners all in the name of driving the elevation and recognition of women.

But what about all those women working in the hospitality industry cooking, preparing and serving us across the city on IWD?

Canberra’s ladies of hospitality are joining forces for their own International Women’s Day 2022 via The TUSK Collaborative, a project launched in Canberra in 2017 to “let women in hospitality shine”.

The brainchild of Charlotte Stevens of Miss Vans, TUSK was born of her desire to promote the visibility and recognition of women in the industry.

“I started TUSK because I had been working in hospitality for six years, and the lack of women really started to weigh on me…You see it across the industry, there are women working but far fewer in leadership roles.”

Charlotte is, however, happy to see some progress.

“The scene has definitely changed over the past few years and it’s great to see how diverse management has become.”

Charlotte Stevens (Miss Vans), Becky Khanthavongsa (Zaab) and Talia Cullis (Rizla) are behind this year’s event.

TUSK is reconvening for a one-off event on Sunday 13 March to raise funds and awareness for victims of domestic violence, and those who suffer from mental illness, by donating to DVCS and The Tipjar Fund.

While their first IWD event in 2017 was held at Bar Rochford, the 2022 event will see a new all-star cast of women across the Canberra hospitality scene take over local restaurant Zaab on Lonsdale Street in Braddon.

The lineup will include chefs from Rizla and G-Spot, bartenders from Bar Rochford and High Jinks, and front-of-house from Pilot and Miss Vans, as well as many other venues across the city. Throughout the day there will be music from local artists and other female, non-binary, and female identifying people.

One of the three co-organisers, Rizla chef Talia Cullis said “In a predominantly male-led industry I think it’s important for women to get out there and show how great we are at what we do! Canberra’s hospitality scene when I was doing my apprenticeship was a big boy’s club but these days there’s some incredible women shining and it’s awesome to see”.

Becky Khanthavongsa, owner of Zaab, said she never wanted her industry to be intimidating to women.

“I wanted us, the female veterans of hospo, to help motivate or be an example to any other girls who have a passion about food and beverage but don’t know where to start or get into the industry.”

The event will be ticketed and feature a bespoke degustation and drink selection that will showcase the range of cuisines and styles across the venues involved. While the staff will be all women, there is a seat at the table for everyone, with the event organisers encouraging men, women, and all genders to show their support for International Women’s Day this year.

The day will offer two lunch sittings and one dinner sitting, with four courses and a welcome drink at $80 per person, as well as a late-night drinks session, with all proceeds being donated. Businesses around town have also donated gifts and services, which guests will be able to enter a bid for when purchasing their tickets.

TUSK Collaborative e was also looking to shine a light on the impacts of the pandemic on the hospitality industry and its women. Since 2020 venues have experienced ongoing uncertainty and financial strain amidst outbreaks, lockdowns, changing restrictions, and constant risk of exposure. The resulting mental and financial hardship has been challenging for those who have chosen for to stay in the industry. It is for this reason why they have chosen Tipjar Fund as one of the two places of donation, as it tackles the difficulties that have been faced within the hospitality industry over the past two years.

Covid has also caused a surge in domestic violence cases with many victims trapped in long lockdowns with their perpetrators. To support victims of domestic violence, all proceeds of the event will be donated to Domestic Violence Crisis Service (DVCS), an organisation that has provided support, advice, domestic violence resources and services in Canberra for over 30 years.

Photography: Pew Pew Studio