The harsh working conditions of kitchen culture, often championed or cultivated by macho male celebrity chefs, is being challenged and revamped by a growth in the number of women taking charge of establishments.

A local screening of a documentary that examines women at the top of their culinary game will be followed by a panel discussion about the subject.

The 75-minute Canadian film The Heat: A Kitchen (R)evolution will screen at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday (November 25) at Vancity Theatre (1181 Seymour Street).

The documentary takes a look at female culinary pioneers, both in Canada and abroad, who have broken through gender barriers. 

A number of Torotonians are featured, such as restaurant owner and chef Suzanne Barr (Saturday Dinette, The Gladstone, Kid Chocolate), chef Charlotte Langley; and writer Ivy Knight.

Also included are Anne Sophie Pic of Maison Pic, the sole three-starred female chef in France; London two-starred chef and Gordon Ramsay's first female protége Angela Hartnett; and Iron Chef and Top Chef Masters competitor Antia Lo of the U.S.

The screening will be followed by a panel discussion, moderated by freelance writer and editor Fiona Morrow, that will include former Fish House in Stanley Park executive chef Karen Barnaby, Scout Canning founder Charlotte Langley, Vancouver chef and nutritionist Karima Chellouf, and Globe and Mail restaurant critic Alexandra Gill.

For full details and tickets, visit the VIFF website.