Masterchef judge Monica Galetti says domestic responsibilities force female chefs to quit

'My career took a back seat for the last seven years because I wanted to be a hands-on mother for my daughter'

Monica Galetti, who until recently worked at London's La Gavroche restaurant (Getty Images)

Nadiya Hussain won The Great British Bake Off and Delia Smith is a best-seller but domestic responsibilities still prevent women from making a career from their culinary skills, a leading female TV chef has claimed.

Masterchef judge Monica Galetti said young women who wish to make the kitchen their place of work are abandoning their ambitions as professional chefs because the 16-hour days are incompatible with starting a family.

Nadiya Hussain competes in The Great British Bake Off 2015 (BBC)

“The problem is that at a certain point women have to decide how much they want their career [versus] having a family and spending time with family,” Galetti told the Radio Times. “That’s it. There’s no BS about it – the truth is, you’ve got to put it first to do well. I’ve seen many amazing chefs, girls, come into the kitchen and then give it up to be with their boyfriend. Would he do that for her? Hmm…”

When I put my chef’s jacket on it’s my uniform. I feel like a soldier in it

&#13; <p>Marcus Wareing</p>&#13;

Galetti, who until recently worked at London’s Le Gavroche restaurant, said that “my career took a back seat for the last seven years because I wanted to be a hands-on mother for my daughter” but that she was planning to open her own eaterie next year. She said there was no gender discrimination in leading kitchens. “We’re all equals – once you’ve got a jacket on, you’re a chef. It’s not about gender – it’s your ability to cook,” she said.

In the same article, fellow Masterchef judge Marcus Wareing described the military discipline of life in the kitchen. “When I put my chef’s jacket on it’s my uniform. I feel like a soldier in it. I press it, it’s starched and it’s respected. And I expect every chef that wears it to do exactly the same.”

Delia Smith's cookery books are still best-sellers (Getty Images)

But he said the number of women working in leading restaurants was improving and praised the pioneering example of Angela Hartnett, the Michelin-starred chef who runs Murano restaurant in London.

“Some of the best chefs in my company are women – they bring a fabulous balance and an intelligent approach. The only female chef I remember from when I was younger, who stood the test of time, is Angela Hartnett. When she came to do a trial, Gordon [Ramsay] said, “Right, let’s give her a job. Let’s have a sweepstake – how long will she last?” No one gave her beyond a month; I gave her two weeks. She lasted a lot longer than that! Solid girl.”