15 chefs from 15 countries: catering with diversity in Lisbon

Olívia Bourkel, a French project manager in Lisbon, founded We Cheffes to highlight talented female chefs from diverse backgrounds. After losing her job at MamaFood, she aimed to empower women who face barriers in the culinary industry. We Cheffes offers catering services, allowing chefs to create menus that reflect their cultural heritage. The initiative has attracted clients like Cloudflare and Microsoft, promoting cultural diversity through food. Chefs work from home or shared kitchens, showcasing their unique cuisines. For instance, Sozgin Kartal prepares lahmajun in her husband's restaurant, while Carmen Panga creates Angolan street food. Both chefs embrace their culinary roots and adapt their dishes for catering events, celebrating their heritage and gaining independence in their careers.