The Inspired Series seeks to educate, support and empower young chefs and hospitality students around Australia. Created by chef Luke Mangan, the upcoming series, Superwomen of Hospitality, will provide a specific focus on young women.

Through a series of informal events, the series offers students an opportunity to learn from some of Australia’s hospitality heroes as they share their honest experiences of the industry. The next event will feature five women of outstanding calibre and knowledge, including Anna Pavoni (Ormeggio Group), Kylie Javier-Ashton (Momofuku Seiobo), Christine Manfield (chef and culinary ambassador), Jo Barrett (Oakridge) and Danielle Gjestland (Wasabi Restaurant). The event will be curated by Sharlee Gibb, the Founder of Fully Booked Women. It is hoped these strong female role models will encourage and inspire young women in the hospitality sector.

The Inspired Series will take place at the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Hotel for a one-hour Question and Answer, where students are encouraged to engage with the speakers. The focus will be on inspiring, enabling entrepreneurship, leadership and sharing knowledge of the hospitality industry. “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with one of Australia’s greatest food events at Noosa Food and Wine Festival. We want to mentor our next generation and encourage those already in the industry to pursue this rewarding career,” Mangan says.

The Inspired Series has held previous events in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Adelaide, visiting young chefs and students from TAFE, hospitality training institutes and secondary colleges. Mangan plans to take the program nationwide, to educate a wide range of students on the opportunities available to them in the hospitality industry.