A nurturing hand that can land a punch too

Women holding a ladle and cooking in the kitchen is something of a tradition. But this is a rarity in hotels where men rule the roost as chefs. Also, taking the brunt of heated arguments or giving a punch or two to bullies in a discotheque or a club is something that falls upon bouncers, largely male, to deal with. But there are women who are taking up the challenge of being part of such male dominated fields with panache.TOI catches up with some such women who have been working in male bastions with ease.
Spice Mistress
Hungtiwa Sorlae, 34, works as a chef in a popular hotel in the city. Passionate about cooking, she made up her mind to take it up as a profession in college. For Rungtiwa, who has been into this profession for the last 10 years, the kitchen has almost become her extension, both at home and at her work. She is quite comfortable working along with master chefs, who are all men, as she believes that women have the skill of cooking engrained in them.
Says she, “I have been in Chandigarh for the last three years but have come across very few women chefs here. I don’t understand why women of Chandigarh don’t take up cooking as a career. This special skill is inherent in a woman. If you want to be a chef, then nothing should stop you from being one.”
But nothing comes easy she says, while adding, “A lot of hard work is required, you get cuts, you get burnt. You are working day and night but then you need to work hard in every field I guess.”
And it has not been smooth sailing for this Thai chef. Her father disapproved of her career choice. Though it was difficult for her to convince him, she eventually did manage to do so. Rungtiwa took training as a chef at Bangkok College of Business Administration and Tourism. Having started her carrier at a hotel in Bangkok, she has won numerous awards for her culinary skills.
Fair bouncer
She may not be able to match the sheer strength of men. But her determination and steely resolve to take up challenges in life makes Kiran Thakur an exceptional woman. Kiran, 32, opted to become a bouncer and that took her family by surprise. She did so, as she wanted to give her children a comfortable life. Kiran has the support of her family and her daughter says, “I am very proud of my mother and want to support her in every way possible.”
“It is difficult for a woman to be a bouncer as there are night shifts. My job basically is to keep an eye on women guests -- sometimes they get drunk and create nuisance -- but at times it becomes difficult as they start fighting and call their boy friends,” says Kiran. “All this doesn’t scare me but since no conveyance is provided to us at night, I don’t feel too safe travelling back home at night. In the club I feel secure. But once I finish my duty and leave at 2am, I’m on my own. What happens if anyone of the people I’ve reproved come in a group after me?”
Clad in black jeans and a black a cardigan, Kiran, who is married and has two children, works for four nights a week. “My husband supports me, there are people who have other things to say, but I don’t really care as I have the full support of my family,” she says.