It's A Woman's World: Chef Ashley Flagg of Millwright's Restaurant

Photo: Winter Caplanson

Connecticut is full of trailblazing women, particularly in the culinary world. Our ongoing column, “It’s A Woman’s World’ is devoted to CT female influencers who’ve forged their own paths, often in food-related fields long dominated by men.

Whether farming the land, bringing healthy food to the masses, feeding an entrepreneurial spirit or injecting feminism with food, these groundbreaking ladies have set a new definition of women’s work, creating new paths and setting examples for those who follow. 

How'd they do it? Read on. This week, we feature Chef Ashley Flagg of Millwright’s Restaurant in Simsbury. Stay tuned to see who’s next. And feel free to send suggestions for your candidates to steph@ctbites.com. 

Why She’s A Pioneer?  

“I am not quite sure that I would describe myself as a pioneer.  I inherited a strong work ethic from my family, and I learned to express my love through food, in the same way that they always did.  I think what has worked for me as a chef and manager is that I try to recreate that family environment, because that is how I operate at my best.  I find that when a team operates as a family unit they work at their peak.  We love and respect each other which makes it easier to push each other and get pushed by others.  We are all doing our best during a difficult time, and being a family unit has made this all so much more bearable.  

I have the privilege of not only working for an amazing company, Tanda Hospitality, but with an amazing group of woman that manage it.  Kristin Eddy, Vanessa Tosi and Heather Schulz have been an incredible management team to work with, and I have grown so much just being in their presence.

I always strive to surround myself with people who I look up to, at Millwrights that’s an easy thing to do.  I am so happy to not only be working during these crazy times but to also be working with so many amazing people.”

What's It Like Being a Woman in a “Man’s World”?  

“I think women in most professions experience the struggles of working in a “Man’s world.” The kitchen however can sometimes be a little bit more in your face about it.  I am happy to work for a Chef, Tyler Anderson, who respects and supports me.  I haven’t always been so lucky but I have learned to not accept any less.

I think the industry is getting away from the “Bromotion” culture where the male head chef or owner just continues to promote his friends.  I see a strong wave of women, people of color and members of the LGBTQ community excelling in a way that use to be the exception.  The main reason for this is the kitchen is a great equalizer because in the end you can’t argue with results.  A kitchen is either being run well or it isn’t. The food is either perfect or its not.  It just really doesn’t matter what the person behind it looks like.

It can be exhausting to have to prove yourself more than male counterparts, but I know that women before me had to work much harder than me.  As a white woman I know there are people who have a lot more hurdles than me to over come.  I hope that our generation will be able to pave the way for improvements for the woman behind us.  I also hope that all woman in this industry take it upon themselves to help push others up.  People of color, immigrants and the LGBTQ community need support in our industry and I hope we can come together to better support them.”

What’s Next For You?  

“It’s really hard to say what’s next right now, considering the state of the industry.  In the very long run I hope to one day own my own restaurant with my wife Rebekah.  In the meantime I will continue to surround myself with amazing people and I am happy to have found a home at Millwrights.  I love my job, my career, my industry and I absolutely love the people I get to work with.  I am so happy to be apart of such a weird dysfunctional family, I feel right at home and I am happy at home right now.”