Rise to the Table: Rosewood’s global push for women in hospitality

Rosewood Hotel Group and the Rosewood Foundation have announced the launch of Rise to the Table.

It is a pioneering annual global programme designed to empower the next generation of female leaders in food and beverage.

Hosted for the first time at Rosewood Hong Kong in March 2026, Rise to the Table will welcome 10 women from across the world for a fully sponsored week-long immersive residency, followed by a year-long mentorship pairing each participant with a senior Rosewood leader.

Applications for the inaugural cohort are now open and will close on October 13.

Tackling Underrepresentation in Leadership

Despite progress in recent years, women remain severely underrepresented in hospitality leadership. Globally, fewer than 7% of the world’s top restaurants are led by female chefs, while systemic barriers continue to limit advancement for women across roles from sommelier and bartender to service manager and head chef.

Rise to the Table has been created to address these challenges directly by offering access, mentorship, and community at a global scale.

An Immersive Global Residency

The March 2026 residency in Hong Kong will feature professional coaching, strategy workshops, and practical experiences designed to strengthen leadership and business skills. Core sessions will cover personal branding, financial literacy, and sustainability-led innovation.

Participants will also immerse themselves in the local food and beverage culture, from wine tastings and visits to Hong Kong’s markets and farms to dining experiences at some of the city’s most acclaimed chef-led restaurants and bars.

Following the residency, participants will enter a year-long mentorship journey

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- the cornerstone of the programme - ensuring the skills, connections, and inspiration gained translate into meaningful career growth. Each year, the residency will rotate across Rosewood Hotel Group’s global portfolio.

Sonia Cheng, CEO, Rosewood Hotel Group said: “By championing the extraordinary women shaping the future of food and beverage, we are not only supporting individual careers but also creating systemic change. This programme aims to cultivate equity, innovation, and leadership in an industry that inspires and unites. We’re not just changing the narrative; we’re creating a new one that highlights the diverse talent shaping the future.”

Rosewood Foundation: A Purpose-Driven Mission

The Rise to the Table initiative builds on the work of the Rosewood Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Rosewood Hotel Group. Since its establishment in 2022, the foundation has supported more than 300 women and young people across 13 countries through upskilling, mentorship, scholarships, and childcare programmes.

It has also empowered over 60 entrepreneurs by providing expertise, funding, and visibility to drive sustainable circularity.

Mehvesh Mumtaz Ahmed, Vice President of Impact and Sustainability, Rosewood Hotel Group said: “Rosewood Foundation has worked behind the scenes since 2022 with the singular focus of making our communities more accessible, equitable, and sustainable. With the official launch of Rise to the Table, we are proud to extend that mission even further – empowering women with the tools, expertise, and opportunities they need to thrive, fostering a more inclusive future in hospitality and beyond.”

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