Finding connection, building networks, sharing solutions and inspiring inclusion for International Women’s Day 2024.
In Brighton, you never know when a rainy day will end with a rainbow, you just know it often does. I met Luciana Cousin, owner of LGBTQ+ cafe and venue Arcobaleno, at Nostos in Hove where we’d gathered local business leaders to discuss sustainability. Slightly off topic, and within a few short minutes, Luciana and I went from introductions to agreeing that as we both wanted to run an event for International Women’s Day and that we should explore the possibility of collaboration.
Less than a week later, with a month to go before our proposed event date, Ivanka Majic and I met Luciana and her business partner (and son) Nick at the venue. We quickly agreed that with our combined networks, assets and experience we could do it. This is – in my view – what happens when women network.
On the 5 March – a Tuesday for the hospo crowd – Restaurants Brighton and Arcobaleno welcomed an audience of dozens of committed women from the local hospitality industry to a panel discussion chaired by Brighton-born BBC journalist and broadcaster Allison Ferns. The panel included Natalie Demetriou (owner of Lost In The Lanes), Elisa Furci (owner of Caccia and Tails), Luciana Cousin (owner of Arcobaleno), Mo Kanjilal (co-creator of Watch This Sp_ce) and Lisa Baskott (founder of 2nd Line of Defence).
With Allison Fern’s expert guidance, a lively, passionate and, at times, movingly intimate discussion followed with each of our panellists bringing their own unique perspective and experience to the floor. Taking the International Women’s Day 2024 theme #InspireInclusion the starting point for discussion, the panellists willingly shared challenges, many of which were common, as well as solutions where they had them. They bonded over similarities and were curious about differences.
Natalie Demetriou, owner of Lost In The Lanes, spoke of her ‘imposter syndrome’ as a latecomer to the industry and of trying to forge her own intuitive, compassionate management style, true to her values but at odds with the standard business ‘success model’. Through holding true to herself, Natalie has created a culture of kindness and respect which attracts and retains talent like chef Sophie Taverner.
As the owner of a growing restaurant business, Elisa Furci spoke of her lifetime in hospitality, first as a child at her mother’s side as she introduced the wonders of Italian cuisine (including fresh pasta) to sleepy 1980s Lewes, then as her mother’s business partner. Now she’s the owner of Caccia and Tails and has recently opened a third venue in Brighton. Even as a well connected and successful business person, Elisa is still frustrated by the occasional difficulty of getting male suppliers to ‘take her seriously.’
At Arcobaleno, Luciana and her team strive to create a truly inclusive environment where everybody feels welcome. Born from her personal experience of discovering her own sexuality later in life, and also of bringing up a queer child, Luciana is acutely aware of how non inclusive the world can be both to women and marginalised groups. Now her life is devoted to breaking down barriers to inclusion and making the world a kinder place. Arcobaleno is the physical embodiment of her values.
Starting her career in the tech industry, Mo Kanjilal achieved great success despite – as she says – being a woman of colour. For a while, she thought her success was a step towards greater equality of opportunity – her contribution – but eventually felt this wasn’t enough. The system had to be rebuilt from the ground up rather than one person at a time. She co-created consultancy Watch This Sp_ce, with Allegra Chapman, to help businesses harness the power of diversity and inclusion. They work with a number of large hospitality clients and offer free resources to small businesses. Read their blogpost for RB Jobs – How to attract female candidates into a male-dominated industry.
Finally, Lisa Baskott founded the UK’s first female focused recruitment agency specialising in the private security industry. Following the murder of Sarah Everard in March 2021 in Clapham, near Lisa’s then home, Lisa was compelled to do something to stem the growth of violence against women and girls in the UK. Recognising a real gap, Lisa became a qualified Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensed door supervisor and now uses her position and expertise to change the private security industry from within increasing diversity and inspiring inclusion.
Questions from the audience led the discussion away from the theoretical and anecdotal towards the practical touching on parenthood and caring responsibilities, the challenges of anti-social hours, staff safety and creating inclusive working environments where no members of staff are made to feel uncomfortable or unwelcome.
After the panel discussion Gusbourne Estate, who sponsored the event, treated us to a glass or two of sparkling rose and we enjoyed delicious Maltese inspired food from the excellent kitchen at Arcobaleno. Fabulous entertainment was provided by Amber Sands, Julia and Peanut.
Restaurant Brighton and Arcobaleno set out to bring the women of our local hospitality together, to build strong networks and create community. We hope this, our first Women In Hospitality event, was a good start. If you’d like to be kept in the loop about future events, please email us: hello@restaurantsbrighton.co.uk and we will include you on the next invitation.