Code Hospitality, a national community created for those in the hospitality industry, has announced its Women of the Year 2025 list - and two women in Scotland made the cut.
Over 50 women made this year’s list including a brewer, pub landlord, uniform designer, bakery owners and an anonymous writer.
The annual Women of the Year list celebrates the wealth of female talent working in the UK hospitality industry today.
Over 1000 nominations were put forward, from across the industry, and the final list of 51 was decided by a panel of judges including Knife & Fork Media founder Adam Hyman, restaurateur, Mandy Yin and restaurant critic Jimi Famurewa.
Out of the 52 women, two from Scotland were chosen - the woman behind some of Edinburgh’s most exciting restaurants, including one that just gained a Michelin Star and the owner of Edinburgh’s popular, and often sold-out, bakery.
Jade Johnston, operations director of Lyla, Tipo, Noto, Aizle made the list, with the judges writing: “Stuart Ralston, as chef and owner, gets the glory at Aizle, Noto, Tipo and Lyla, his four restaurants in Edinburgh.
"However, he’s the first to credit his operations director Jade Johnston, who this year celebrates ten years at the company, for the part she’s played in its success.
"What customers don’t see but almost certainly do feel, is the effort she puts in to make the entire restaurant group a positive working environment.
"She’s made changes to staff well-being, to the work-to-rest ratio and the working environment that have driven staff retention and helped staff progress. Lyla, which opened in late 2024, is declared ‘Exceptional’ by the Good Food Guide.”
Darcie Maher, owner and pastry chef, Lannan Bakery is the other Scottish woman in the list. The judges wrote: “Darcie Maher sells her Insta-famous rhubarb and custard tart, pain au chocolat, and bergamot and olive oil croissant tart, out of her two-year-old bakery in leafy Stockbridge, Edinburgh.
"The queues are, by now, nearly as famous, starting as early as 6am. Maher is only in her late 20s but she’s been working in kitchens since she was 15.
"She was pastry chef at the Palmerston before launching Lannan (with the Palmerston folk’s backing).
"This year, she closed Lannan for a renovation. The new prep area is hidden downstairs but is as beautiful as the public-facing shop. She now has 14 employees. A café is coming soon.”
