Top chef Star Stéphanie Le Quellec Fueled by Early Dismissal: “They Stop After Three Months”
PARIS – Celebrated chef and Top Chef judge Stéphanie Le Quellec revealed she was once told by a school director that young women pursuing a culinary career rarely lasted more than three months, a comment that ignited her determination to succeed. The anecdote, recently resurfaced in an interview with Frédéric Lopez, underscores the past gender biases within professional kitchens and highlights Le Quellec’s resilience in overcoming early discouragement.
At 14, le Quellec knew she wanted to attend hotel school, a decision her parents wholeheartedly supported.However, the director of the establishment initially attempted to steer her towards a technological Baccalaureate, suggesting hospitality management instead. Le Quellec firmly insisted on pursuing cooking, stating, ”Yes, but sir, it’s cooking that I want to do, the rest is good, but it interests me less.” It was then the director delivered the dismissive prediction: “You know, I have had young women before you who wanted to do this job, it’s very arduous, they stop after three months, so in three months, you will be happy to do something else.”
Rather than being deterred, Le Quellec said the comment “gave birth to a kind of rage to get there to prove to her that my place is in the kitchen.” She went on to enroll at Albert-de-Mun hotel school in Paris,earning her BTS degree at 19. Le Quellec’s story resonates today as the culinary world continues to address issues of gender equality and depiction, demonstrating the enduring power of perseverance in the face of outdated stereotypes. The chef, who discovered her passion for cooking at age 7, now stands as a prominent figure in French gastronomy.
