Rosewood Foundation Brings Rise to the table to London

Women remain significantly underrepresented in leadership across food, beverage and hospitality, with barriers to access, visibility and advancement continuing to limit career progression. Rise to the Table was created to help address these barriers by connecting emerging female talent with the skills, networks, mentorship and opportunities needed to build lasting careers. The immersive residency brings women from around the world together for leadership development, coaching, mentorship and industry dialogue, followed by a year-long mentorship with a senior Rosewood leader. Open to women from all backgrounds and countries, the program welcomes applicants with a minimum of five years’ industry experience, regardless of educational background.

“Rise to the Table was created from a simple belief: championing female talent is how we shape the future of hospitality. As we bring the program to London, our ambition is to help women step into leadership roles and to inspire the lasting, systemic change our industry needs to become more inclusive and more resilient.” SONIA CHENG, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ROSEWOOD HOTEL GROUP AND CHAIRPERSON, ROSEWOOD FOUNDATION

London represents a natural next chapter for Rise to the Table. As a global center for food, culture, creativity and entrepreneurship, the city offers a diverse and internationally connected hospitality ecosystem spanning restaurants, bars and hotels. The March 2027 residency will give participants the opportunity to experience London’s hospitality landscape, exchange ideas with peers from around the world and learn from established figures shaping the future of the industry, drawing on Rosewood’s international network of experts and leaders.

“The success of our inaugural program validated the power of creating access to the right networks, skills and champions. Bringing Rise to the Table to London allows us to build on that momentum, connecting a new generation of women with the confidence, community and opportunities to shape their careers and the future of hospitality.”MEHVESH MUMTAZ AHMED, VICE PRESIDENT OF IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY, ROSEWOOD HOTEL GROUP AND BOARD DIRECTOR, ROSEWOOD FOUNDATION

During the residency, participants will engage in leadership development, professional coaching, mentorship and industry dialogue, exploring themes including personal leadership, business strategy and innovation. They will also connect with established figures across food, beverage and hospitality and build relationships with peers from different countries, cultures and disciplines. The year-long mentorship journey provides continued guidance and connection, with each participant paired with a senior Rosewood leader to support their ongoing career development.

Who can apply

The program welcomes emerging female talent across food, beverage and hospitality, including chefs, bartenders, sommeliers and service professionals, as well as women developing leadership roles within the wider hospitality industry.

Eligibility considerations include:

• Identify as female and are 18 years or older
• Are committed to the hospitality industry
• Have minimum five years of work experience
• Are available to travel to London for approximately one week for the residency in March 2027
• Are seeking mentorship and leadership coaching
• Have fluency in English, both spoken and written

What we need to save your seat:

• Your resume
• Two reference letters (optional)
• Respond to the application questions (video, audio or written) so we can learn more about you

Applications

Applications for Rise to the Table London 2027 are now open, with the final round closing on October 28. Selected participants will take part in the London residency, followed by a year-long mentorship journey with a senior Rosewood leader.

For more information on Rise to the Table, or to apply to the program, please visit: https://careers.rosewoodhotelgroup.com/risetothetable

Voices from 2026

The impact of Rise to the Table is reflected in the experiences of its participants.

“The conversation left me thinking about my own versions of excellence, how to maintain and achieve that, and to understand that to be consistent, you have to show up for yourself and then set the tone for how others need to do that too.” MARIE MITCHELL, CHEF, COOKBOOK AUTHOR & RISE TO THE TABLE PARTICIPANTS

“Being selected as a part of this group is one of my proudest career achievements. It was so empowering to feel like I belonged among these exceptional women, having this transformative experience.” LEIGH-ANN LUCKETT, CO-FOUNDER, CRUSHED WINE BAR

“Rise to the Table put fire in my belly and inspired me, something that had been lacking before I attended the program.” LELANI LEWIS - CHEF, FOOD STYLIST AND CULINARY ACTIVIST

Through Rosewood Foundation’s broader purpose agenda, the program extends Rosewood’s expertise, relationships and global network beyond its hotels, helping to create a more accessible, equitable and sustainable hospitality ecosystem.