Rise to the Table
The search is on for the next generation of women shaping hospitality.
2027 Applications Now Open
Careers in hospitality are often shaped by the doors that open: a mentor who shares hard-won knowledge, a leader who recognises potential or a community that makes space for new ideas. Yet women across food, beverage and hospitality continue to face barriers to the access, visibility and advancement that leadership requires.
Rosewood Foundation’s flagship program, Rise to the Table, was created to help drive systemic change by investing in the female talent carving the creativity and future of the industry. It connects women from around the world with mentorship, leadership development and influential networks—creating more equitable pathways to lasting careers and greater influence across the industry.
Following its launch at Rosewood Hong Kong, Rise to the Table begins its next chapter at The Chancery Rosewood in London. Beginning on International Women’s Day, 8 March 2027, participants will take part in a week-long residency of professional coaching, industry dialogue and exceptional culinary experiences, followed by a year-long mentorship journey with senior Rosewood leaders.
The vision for Rise to the Table came from Rosewood Hotel Group CEO Sonia Cheng and Rosewood Foundation, both longstanding advocates for creating space at the table for visionary female voices.
“True leadership isn’t just about occupying a seat at the table, it’s about expanding that table so others can rise alongside you. With Rise to the Table, our vision is to cultivate an ecosystem where talent meets opportunity—empowering a new generation of women to not only navigate the hospitality industry but to redefine its future with purpose and resilience,” shares Sonia Cheng.
“With Rise to the Table, our vision is to cultivate an ecosystem where ambition meets opportunity—empowering a new generation of women.”
Sonia Cheng, Chief Executive Officer, Rosewood Hotel Group and Chairperson, Rosewood Foundation
Rise to the Table is a celebration: not only of what women have achieved in kitchens and boardrooms, but of their next, bolder chapters. It is a space to share stories, advice and ambition, building a community whose influence reaches beyond any single cohort.
“When we invest in female leaders, we aren’t just closing a gender gap, we are fostering the diverse perspectives necessary to solve the industry’s most complex challenges,” says Mehvesh Mumtaz Ahmed, Vice President of Impact and Sustainability at Rosewood Hotel Group and Board of Directors, Rosewood Foundation.
What distinguishes Rise to the Table is not only the access it provides, but the culture of camaraderie and curiosity it seeks to build. Each stage of the journey is designed to unlock new possibilities - for the women selected, the workplaces and communities they influence, and a hospitality industry in which more people can see a place for themselves.
Help shape what comes next. Join the next cohort.
Rise to the Table is looking for 10 emerging women leaders whose ideas, ambition and leadership can help move hospitality forward.
Applications for the 2027 cohort close on 28 October 2026.
FACES OF THE FUTURE
Introducing the Class of 2026
Rise to the Table 2026 features a line-up of both rising stars and seasoned mentors, each poised to leave a distinctive mark.
The heartbeat of this initiative lies in the stories of these leaders: how they sharpened their craft, overcame challenges, and emerged ready to lift others along the way.
ALEXIA VAN BREUGEL
Sous Chef at Sem, Lisbon Portugal
CAITLIN HALL
Sommelier at The Perlant, Atlanta, United States of America
FEYIKEWA ANIMASHAUN
Chef and Entrepreneur, Ajoje Social and Kewa's Kitchen, in Lagos, Nigeria
JOYETA NG
Sous Chef at Poon’s, United Kingdom
KARLA CARDOSO
CEO, Drinktivity, Brazil
LEIGH-ANN LUCKETT
Co-Founder, Crushed Wine Bar and Retail, Hong Kong SAR, China
LELANI LEWIS
Founder and Creative Director, Nyam and Atelier Code Noir, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
MARIE MITCHELL
Entrepreneur, Chef and Award-Winning Writer, United Kingdom
ROCHELLE LAWRENCE
Entrepreneur, Brew, British Virgin Islands
STEPHANIE BONNIN
Owner Chef, Patio Tropical, New York, United States of America
TANIA YABRA
Executive Pastry Chef, Restaurant Wils, Wils Bakery Café, and Restaurant Rijks, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
EMILY WINES
Vice President of Wine Experience, Cooper's Hawk Winery and Restaurants
RICHARD EKKEBUS
Culinary Director, Mandarin Oriental The Landmark
MICHELLE GARNAUT
Founder and CEO, M Restaurant Group
SHANE OSBORN
Chef Patron and Co-founder, The Arcane Collective
MAY CHOW
Founder, "May Chow"
LINDSAY JANG
Entrepreneur
ARTURO SIMS
Managing Partner, VHC Global
ANA PAULA ULRICH
Head of Bars, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende
DITA GUTH
Clienteling Executive, Rosewood Amsterdam
FRIEDRICH VON SCHÖNBURG
Managing Director, Rosewood Villa Magna
GENEVIEVE RIOUX
Area Director of Wines, Americas
JANE-THERESE MULRY
Cluster Director of Culinary, New Zealand
JUAN SERRANO
Hotel Manager, Rosewood Hong Kong
LUCA DE NEGRI
Area Director of Culinary, Southeast Asia & Australasia and Executive Chef, Rosewood Phuket
NICOLA MIGHELI
Managing Director, Rosewood Castiglion del Bosco
RACHEL CODREANSCHI
Executive Chef, Rosewood São Paulo
RICHARD HILTON
Senior Director of Food & Beverage Excellence, Asia Pacific and Global
SANDRA WATERMANN
Managing Director, Rosewood Bangkok
RISE TO THE TABLE
Empowering women
in hospitality
Rise to the Table, an initiative from the Rosewood Foundation, is a program created to inspire lasting change by investing in the women shaping the creativity and future of hospitality. For inquiries and more information, please get in touch.