With the hospitality industry seeing a steady rise in the amount of women-owned and run bars and restaurants over the past decade, there is still much room for growth.
Iranian American Bar Director Judy Elahi of 101 Hospitality, which includes Michelin-starred Gravitas, is taking the industry by storm and using her personal experience as a mixed-race individual to amplify voices of color.
Being of Iranian decent, hospitality is at the very core of Elahi’s culture. She has worked in the food and hospitality industry since she was 15 years old. “My high school had a Culinary Program the was supported by CIA (Culinary Institute of America). That is where I learned the fundamentals of the hospitality industry. I ran and oversaw all our offsite catering events, helping with invoices, and prepped food.” During her junior year of high school, she received the Johnson & Wales Culinary Scholarship, and she attended college at Elmira College in Upstate New York. Since then, she has worked for some of Washington D.C.’s most prominent restaurants.
Elahi is currently the Beverage Manager for Gravitas and Baker’s Daughter. “At Gravitas, our beverage program strives to enhance the culinary experiences we offer. Similar to our culinary team, we follow mother nature’s seasons and change the cocktail menu seasonally. To ensure we have a diverse beverage program, our bartenders are encouraged to add their creations to the menu. I oversee the process of R&D, tasting, and honing in on skills. Adding other bartenders’ creations ultimately makes our program more diverse and approachable. At Gravitas there is a spirit for everyone.”
Elahi describes her style as very eclectic and unique, and she can express herself freely through her beverage programs, as the team at Gravitas is diverse. It is a given that diversity, equity, and inclusion are the cornerstone for Elahi’s work in the industry.
“Each bartender is reminded to showcase their culture and diversity in the glass. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are the pillars of success for any restaurant group in 2023.”
As a woman in any industry, Elahi states that you always must work much harder than your counterparts, and you must focus on your unique skill set. “I have learned balancing my nurturing side with my detail-oriented side is the only way I can be successful. I take them time to check in on people, I take the time to ensure they know the standards, and I work as hard as possible. Now after 15+ years, I can tell you the most important thing is being true to yourself. What makes you marketable, fun, and unique? All of those things that make you different from the rest is what will make you successful.”
The post We Ask Bar Director Judy Elahi About DEI in Hospitality appeared first on Chilled Magazine.
Source: Mixology News
