This Summer, acclaimed chef Sally Abé, who has featured on the bbc’s great British menu, and Kayla Lawrie, Producer of global food series Topjaw have launched a new interactive map of female-owned hospitality businesses across the UK, designed to shine a light on female entrepreneurship within the sector and to amplify their businesses to diners.
Now totalling over 1,000 businesses, the map, which can be can be seen here includes restaurants, bars, cafés, bakeries and pubs across the country, creating one of the most comprehensive public guides of its kind in the UK.
“We know this industry is alive with diverse female talent, and we hope our new map sparks conversation about representation and visibility but also supports them during a time where the industry is already facing enough challenges. We’re excited to put the map in the hands of the industry & diners but even more excited about the potential it creates to do even more,” said Sally and Kayla, who are inviting everyone to nominate businesses to the map via the form here.
The restaurant which feature and are based in the North East are: Pine, Sorella Sorella, The Forge, The Sweet Petite, Pablo Eggsgobao, Kith & Kin, Arbeia Bar South Shields, Hive Coffee Company, The Staiths Cafe, Victor Indigo November, I Scream For Pizza – Newcastle, The Cumberland Arms, Wren, Cake Stories Coffee House & Cakery, Goods and Company Coffee House, Scream for Pizza, Burds, Bar Blanc, Long Friday, Lovage Jesmond, Carruthers & Kent and Baby Grey Gosforth.
Throughout her career, Sally has been a leading champion and advocate for greater equality in kitchens. In 2024, Sally published A Woman’s Place is the Kitchen, her memoir tracing her career and outlook for stirring change within the industry. At her newly opened restaurant, Teal by Sally Abé in Hackney, Sally and her business partner, Abe Drewry consciously hired women to ensure her continued effort to create opportunities for everyone within the sector.
As the Producer of Topjaw, Kayla has spent years profiling the UK’s best hospitality spots, ranging from local gems to culinary institutions, and spotlighting both the emerging talent and bonafide legends behind them. She recognises not only the extraordinary number of women building successful businesses but also the lack of a dedicated platform bringing them together. The idea for the map emerged from a desire to make those businesses, and the women behind them, more visible and accessible.
The map serves as a go-to guide for diners looking to discover new spots. It will act as a living resource, constantly evolving as new ventures open around the country and as additional businesses continue to be pinned. As well as a discovery platform for diners, the pair hope the map serves as an initiative empowering women in the industry, amplifying their visibility at a local and national level.
