Why We Celebrate International Women’s Day
At Mae Jum, we love celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD), a day dedicated to recognising the amazing achievements of women across the globe. It began in the early 1900s, with the first official gathering in 1911 in Austria, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland. Since then, it's blossomed into a worldwide movement, shining a light on gender equality and sparking action for change.
Every year on 8th March, we take a moment to appreciate the progress made and rally for what still needs to be done. The theme for IWD 2025 is “Accelerate Action” — a powerful call to keep pushing forward towards a fairer, more inclusive world.
Women in the Culinary World
Preserving Traditions Through Food
Food is at the heart of Mae Jum, and we understand the vital role women play in preserving and evolving culinary traditions. From home cooks handing down cherished family recipes to professional chefs redefining cuisines, women have always been the backbone of food culture.
The Heart of Mae Jum
Mae Jum was built on the legacy of traditional Thai recipes lovingly passed down through generations of remarkable women. Our story is a tribute to female strength, leadership, and creativity in the kitchen and beyond.
The Women Who Inspire Me
This International Women’s Day, I want to honour the women in my life who have shaped, supported, and inspired me:
My Mother
Thank you, Mum — the strongest woman I know. Raising me and my seven siblings with love, grit, and grace was no small feat. The delicious curry pastes I share today are her teachings. Mae Jum wouldn’t exist without her.
My Sisters
To my four wonderful sisters in Thailand — you are my lifelong best friends and my pillars of love. Though we don’t see each other often, every reunion feels like stepping back into our joyful youth. Counting the days until we meet again!
My Daughters
Jessica and Annabel, you are my daily inspiration. Watching you grow into confident, compassionate, and capable women has been life’s greatest reward. Your journeys make me endlessly proud.
How to Support Women This IWD
We can all uplift and support women year-round, not just on IWD. Here are a few simple but impactful ways:
- Shop women-owned businesses – support female entrepreneurs, chefs, and creators.
- Champion equality at work – push for fair pay, equal opportunity, and inclusive policies.
- Share inspiring stories – celebrate the women in your life and community.
- Show appreciation – a heartfelt thank-you can go a long way.
Here’s to all the amazing women out there — Happy International Women’s Day!
Final Thought
In Thailand, we say "แม่ครัวเก่ง ลูกเรือนเก่ง" — mae krua geng, luk ruean geng — which means "a skilled mother in the kitchen raises a skilled household." It's not just about cooking ability. It's about the wisdom, care, and cultural memory that flow through a woman's hands as she cooks. The recipes she protects. The stories she carries. The way she feeds not just bodies, but souls.
Mae Jum exists because of these women — my mother, my sisters, the generations of Southern Thai cooks who refused to let shortcuts replace soul. This International Women's Day, I'm thinking about all the women who've kept their family recipes alive, who've taught their daughters to pound curry paste by hand, who've understood that feeding people is one of the most powerful things we can do. If you have a woman like that in your life — a mother, grandmother, sister, friend — tell her. And if you are that woman, know that what you do matters more than you might realise.
