It is International Women’s Day today 8 March when the world over acknowledges the vital role played by women in society.
Their contribution is sometimes less well known in the sometimes male-dominated domain of the horeca/hospitality sector.
But one event on 8 March aims to rectify that.
It seeks to celebrate ten years of recognizing female leaders in the hospitality industry with the Woman of the Year trophy.
The annual initiative has honoured ten remarkable women who have contributed to raising industry standards. These visionary women have transformed the hospitality sector, shaping a future where progress and inclusivity drive the industry forward.
The theme for International Women’s Day 2025, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.”, encourages the next generation to be inspired by successful female leaders.
The awards are organised by Relais & Châteaux, in collaboration with Champagne Pommery.
This year, the coveted Woman of the Year award goes to Canadian Kaitlin Ross, General Manager of Relais & Châteaux Sonora Resort, who has broken barriers in traditional tourism with a career in maritime tourism.
She said, “The Woman of the Year trophy is a powerful source of inspiration. It demonstrates that women can shape and redefine the hospitality industry. Young women entering the field see that their contributions matter and are encouraged to pursue their passions, challenge the status quo, and forge
their own paths.”
Back in 2017, Margo Reuten, the only woman leading a Michelin-starred restaurant in the Netherlands, won the same award.
Her restaurant, Da Vinci, is named in honour of the ultimate Renaissance man, whom she admires for his diverse talents and innovative mindset – a lifelong curiosity she considers essential in the kitchen.
Her culinary creations are crafted with locally sourced ingredients, including meat from the farm her father established in Maasbracht. Her dishes are characterized by French influences and enhanced with edible flowers.
Margo spoke of what winning the award in 2017 meant for her: “Receiving the ‘Woman of the Year’ trophy was an honour. This title commands respect and represents recognition of my craftsmanship. It gave me wings, inspired me to create even more, and pushed me to explore new boundaries.
“Our profession is rooted in dedication and discipline. It is a beautiful craft where you gain new insights every day. However, maintaining high performance and continuous innovation requires discipline.”
She adds, “You must embrace life and understand people; only then can you keep growing and creating. Passing on this knowledge and passion is an essential part of my work.
“This trophy is a tribute to what can be achieved with dedication. I hope it inspires young women and men to dream, learn, and grow,” she added.
The awards themselves mark an anniversary this year: ten years of recognizing female leaders in the hospitality industry with the Woman of the Year trophy.
Established in 1954, the Relais & Châteaux Association unites an exceptional collection of 580 hotels and restaurants throughout the world, operated by independent owners and the following hotels and restaurants are part of Relais & Châteaux in the Benelux. In Belgium: Hotel Heritage, Kasteel van Ordingen, Le Chalet de la Forêt, and Zilte; In Luxembourg: Hotel Le Place d’Armes and in The Netherlands: Château Sint Gerlach, Château Neercanne, Weeshuis Gouda, Het Roode Koper, Central Park Voorburg, Bij Jef on Texel, and restaurant Da Vinci.
