Sydney's Female Chefs to Celebrate this International Women's Day

Sydney's restaurant scene has never been better. With a swathe of new openings and continued excellence from some of the best restaurants in town, there's more choice than ever. But the best news? The number of female chefs in Sydney is growing and they're all up to some pretty incredible things. Keen to support the gals next time you head out? Read on to discover some of the best female chefs in Sydney right now. 

Rhiann Mead, The Charles 

For anyone who has had the pleasure of selecting treats from The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar’s iconic dessert trolley, you’ve got Rhian Mead to thank. As Head Pastry Chef, Rhian is the brains behind the trolley with full creative control over the daily bakes. But how did a small-town Queensland gal end up a skilled chocolatier and patisserie? Rhiann credits her love of pastry to finding joy in precision and details as well as the scope for creativity (and her gap year working in London’s Harrods Food Hall). Swing by The Charles for a taste of Rhiann's exquisite Russian honey cakes and other delicate treats.

Find Rhiann at The Charles Grand Brasserie & Bar

66 King Street, Sydney 

Amber Doig, The Butler Potts Point 

Amber Doig has been pursuing her career as a chef from the age of 17 when she came over from Christchurch to settle in Sydney and gained early experience working under one of Australia’s most respected young restaurateurs and chefs, James Viles. She's gone from strength to strength, travelling to New York and training under superstar Alex Stupak to learn to cook Mexican/Ibero-American cuisine, skills that she brought back to The Butler in Potts Point as Head Chef for the last 7 years. Swing by to sample Amber's 12-hour braised lamb barbacoa, adobo skirt steak and kingfish crudo.

Find Amber at The Butler 

123 Victoria Street, Potts Point 

Rosy Scatigna, Bar Morris 

Rosy Scatigna only arrived in Australia in May 2019 but she’s been shaking up Sydney’s culinary scene ever since. From stints at Aria to Shelll House, she’s been cooking up a storm but it’s her first Head Chef role at Bar Morris at the age of just 30 that has been her career highlight. With her Italian heritage and extensive culinary experience, both in Australia and abroad, Rosy’s exciting share menu has been a success. Reimagined classics, utilising recipes handed down to Rosy from her mother and grandmother, have resulted in something very special. Think ndujua madeleines, panfoccacia and ricotta and marjoram ravioli. 

Find Rosy at Bar Morris

412 Pitt Street, Haymarket 

Lucinda Khan 

Lucida Khan, the youngest daughter of renowned chef Opel Khan, has been in the kitchen from day dot. Having been appointed head chef of Metisse at 21, Luci has long been one of Sydney’s youngest female chefs and continues to push boundaries with her innovative menu additions and television appearances. With the opening of the family's fourth restaurant, Khanna, an Avant Garde Bengali fine dining restaurant in 2023, Luci has become a master of multitasking, sometimes cooking her way through two restaurants in one night.

Find Lucinda at Khanaa, Metisse and Acqua e Farina 

Lauren McKenna, The Log Cabin 

Lauren McKenna’s career has been informed by her lifelong love of cooking and learning as well as her Italian heritage. Building up an enviable CV, Lauren has mastered the art of Italian cuisine and pastry at Otto, discovered degustation with her tenure at EST and built on her seafood skills at The Boathouse Blackwattle Bay. Settled as Head Chef at The Log Cabin in Penrith, Lauren’s values of warmth and welcoming don’t just abound in her menu choices but in her kitchen, too. Known for running a kitchen in which work-life balance is championed and a sense of community fostered, it’s not just McKenna’s food that stands out. 

Find Lauren at The Log Cabin 

16 Memorial Avenue, Penrith

If you loved this edit of the best female chefs in Sydney and are keen to find more restaurants to hit up around Sydney, be sure to check out our edits of the best Italian restaurants and the best French restaurants in town.