Jasbir Kaur’s career has been anything but traditional, taking her across five different countries.
She began her professional life as a chef, working in fast-paced, high-pressure kitchens where discipline, creativity and teamwork were essential.
Working internationally in hospitality exposed her to diverse cultures, standards and ways of thinking.
“It taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of delivering consistent quality, no matter the environment,” she said.
Over time, Kaur transitioned into the education and skills sector, and now serves as the Vice President of a chefs' association and Head of Partnerships and Strategy at Skills Institute. In these roles, she has worked across international education, industry engagement, and workforce pathways, building strong connections between education providers and learners.
While the setting has changed, the core principles have remained the same.
“Bringing people together, creating opportunity, and supporting individuals to succeed. In many ways, I’ve simply changed kitchens, from food to futures.”
Her biggest mentors have been women leaders who recognised potential rather than focusing on titles or backgrounds. They taught Kaur the importance of not taking herself too seriously, to laugh at herself, admit her mistakes and keep learning. Their honesty and confidence have shaped the way she leads today.
Having worked as a chef across different countries and still travelling and meeting chefs, she has seen how the industry has evolved globally. She said there is now a much stronger appreciation for education alongside hands-on experiences.
She said chefs are no longer trained just to survive the kitchen, but to build sustainable, long-term careers. Like working in kitchens around the world, Kaur said success depends on adaptability, strong foundations and learning standards that will travel with them.
“When education connects with real kitchen experience, it equips chefs with skills they can take anywhere, with confidence and purpose.”
Kaur would like to see the industry embrace a more open, human, and globally minded approach. She said travel can teach people to learn from one-another, respect different perspectives, and stay open to feedback and criticism.
“Not every career follows a straight line, and our systems should reflect that.”
One of the biggest highlights of her career was representing New Zealand at the World Tapas Competition. Three years later, returning to the same global stage as a judge was an incredibly meaningful experience for her.
“It was a powerful full-circle moment that reflected not only personal growth, but also the value of experience, learning, and giving back to the industry.
The opportunity to create something impactful and meaningful continues to motivate her. Kaur is driven by challenging herself every day, learning from others, and pushing beyond what feels comfortable.
Knowing that her work can make a positive difference, whether for individuals, communities or the industry, keeps her moving forward.
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