Profiles 8 female founders in Shanghai's F&B scene, including owners of Tacolicious, Tori-Ji, Bela Fiesta & Boo's. Details their journeys, challenges, and includes a limited-time 20% off voucher for Tacolicious.
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By Heather Millet
intoxicated, and full of energy—among them some truly badass women!
Deserving of recognition for their contributions and tenacity in a typically male‑dominated field, here are eight ladies to raise a glass to this International Women's Day.
Dede Liu Brouse
Co-Owner of Tacolicious
Dede Liu Browse, co-owner of Tacolicious
Today, Dede Liu Brouse is a co-owner and key manager of beloved Tex-Mex spot Tacolicious. But her path here was anything but linear—it twisted from educational coaching to professional dance teaching before winding its way into F&B, driven by the people and connections she built along the way.
Tacolicious tagline sign: Cilantro & Dreams
She says the challenges of running a business have been countless. Owning a restaurant is always a risk, and she's had to navigate everything from soaring rent prices to major staff shifts during COVID.
Still, Tacolicious has remained a go-to for parties, Taco Tuesdays, brunches, and late nights.
Tacolicious vibrant interior
With vibrant colors setting the scene, there's no hesitation over a Michelada or Rumchata among friends—a spirit that's helped it earn multiple Mexican Restaurant of the Year nods at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards.
READ MORE: Who Won What at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards 2025
"My advice to women looking for a similar path is to have a strong heart," she says. "Don't lose your mindset and be tough."
Tacolicious Room 104-105, 34 Yuyao Lu, by Xikang Lu 余姚路34号1幢104-105室, 近西康路
20% Off!
For a limited time, snag RMB100 Tacolicious vouchers for just RMB80!
Click below to get yours now:
Peki Gu
Founder of Peek: Maenad Consulting Studio
Peki Gu, founder of Peek: Maenad F&B consulting studio
In a city as massive as Shanghai, it's rare to keep running into the same person—but with Peki Gu, it happens all the time, because she is everywhere.
Gu is the founder of Peek: Maenad, a consulting studio offering marketing, PR, events, and strategic support in the F&B world.
A true Shanghai local, she says, "This city's mix of old-world charm and cutting-edge vibe is in my blood. I grew up watching it become a global F&B hotspot."
She cut her teeth in brand management and commercial operations, but her passion for spirits eventually led her to Diageo China's Trade Marketing Team, where she managed regional budgets, annual marketing plans, and hundreds of events.
Peki Gu at the 2025 Shanghai Cocktail Festival
The real light bulb moment came while attending Asia's 50 Best Bars Awards. She realized that brands—big or small—need marketing that speaks both a global and a local language.
So she took a bold leap, launching her own PR firm rooted in her Shanghai upbringing, corporate experience, and 'bar-world hustle' to help businesses across the city.
"The first big risk was leaving my stable corporate role to dive into the bar industry," she says. "I immersed myself in everything from operations to professional mixology. Facing that steep learning curve was terrifying."
Though she worried her corporate background might not be well received, she decided to own her story—and took the risk of being picky.
"When I switched from corporate to bars, everyone thought I was crazy. But deep down, I knew it was right. Even when cash flow was tight, I turned down projects that didn't align with my values."
Her advice? Own your unconventional journey. Learn the basics, then break the rules. And don't be afraid to say no.
Instagram: Peki.Gu
Candy Huang
Co-Founder of BNC
Candy Huang maintaining her indomitable great attitude and energy
The original meaning of BNC may have shifted over time, but these days it could easily stand for 'Badass Named Candy.'
Running a sports bar packed with rowdy men, many of whom are expats, is no small task, so Candy Huang has learned to be both fun and fearsome when the situation calls for it.
Candy Huang perched atop a customer for a game of pool
How did she end up in this rough-and-tumble spot known for free-flow happy hours, quiz nights, Sunday carveries, and big men guffawing over their beers?
It was an accident, of course.
Originally from Fujian, she explains: "I was curious what Shanghai was like. Back then, there was no internet like today—telephones weren't even common!"
She landed in F&B, and soon set her sights on building something of her own through hard work.
"There was a lot of pressure from my mother, because I used all my savings to invest in this business. If I failed, I'd have to listen to her and go back to my hometown."
Candy Huang at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards 2024
Since it opened, BNC has grown and evolved—and so has Candy. Her bar has become a fixture of the Jing'an scene, and she took home F&B Personality of the Year at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards 2024.
Her advice is simple: Be strong, be patient, and be persistent.
READ MORE: Who Won What at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards 2024
BNC 685 Xikang Lu, by Changping Lu, Jing'an District 西康路685号, 近昌平路
Jackie Lo
Founder of Sugar Area
Jackie Lo at her bar, Sugar Area
Sugar Area is a rum bar, and while rum is often seen as a sweet spirit, Jackie Lo is pure fire!
Tough as moonshine and always ready to let the drinks overflow, she likes her bar lively and full of flavor.
Like many in the industry, Jackie didn't start out in F&B—she fell into it through a series of odd jobs that eventually led to bartending.
At first, Jackie trained as a flair bartender. "I often practiced until I was covered in bruises," she says. "During one fiery performance, I accidentally burned my chin and almost had a scar."
Jackie Lo making a creative hot dog rum cocktail
To read about Jackie Lo's creative hot dog rum cocktail, click the link below:
READ MORE: Top Dogs! In Search of the City's Best Sausages
A major challenge Jackie faced speaks to exactly why we celebrate Women's Day: "When I first entered the industry, the bar was predominantly staffed with male bartenders.
"Management often had doubts about the physical fitness or capabilities of female bartenders, preferring to assign women to front-of-house service roles.
"I had to put in extra effort and constantly prove myself to finally earn the opportunity to stand behind the bar."
Like many women, she's also dealt with extreme menstrual pain that made work difficult. "But I never dared show the intense pain on my face.
"I would always prepare painkillers in advance, quietly endure it, and never let my superiors notice."
Her advice? Learn to balance health and work for sustainable progress—but remember to focus on enhancing professional skills, solid techniques, and bravely expressing your ideas.
Sugar Area
Sugar Area 71 Jianguo Zhong Lu, by Ruijin Er Lu, Huangpu District 建国中路171号, 近瑞金二路
Czarina Labagriel
Co-Founder of Tori-Ji
Czarina Labagriel with husband Venedict at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards 2025
Originally from the Philippines, Czarina Labagriel came to Shanghai as an Electronics Engineer, following a secure, structured path with both Chinese and French companies.
But in a joint decision with her husband, they chose to leave behind steady incomes, comfort, travel—and even sleep—to launch their dream: a yakitori restaurant called Tori-Ji.
Tori-Ji, Japanese Restaurant of the Year in the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards 2025
"The biggest challenge was adapting to an industry that demands constant effort, patience, and humility," she says.
"Running Tori-Ji taught us resilience, dedication, and how important it is to truly listen to customers."
Flavor action at Tori-Ji
Though Tori-Ji was awarded Japanese Restaurant of the Year at the 2025 That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards, she remains grounded.
"Success is a big word, and I don't know if we're fully there yet, but we are living a dream. Life will always bring uncertainty, and it can either break you or shape you."
The Pinoy squad at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards 2025
Reservations through WeChat: 131 220 77283 / 199 017 80521
Daily, from 5pm
Tori-Ji Rooms 1-3, No. 549 Xinhui Road, Putuo District 普陀区新会路549号1-3室托利齐
Ania Kasatkina
Founder of Tabani Bar & Bistro
Ania Kasatkina, Founder of Tabani Bar & Bistro
After years of experience in China's F&B industry, it was always Ania Kasatkina's dream to own a bar in Thailand.
Oddly enough, that dream has taken shape in Shanghai instead—as Tabani, a bar and bistro named after the unique crepes from her hometown in Russia's Udmurt Republic, which lies in the western foothills of the Ural Mountains.
Tabani offers several versions of its namesake Russian pancake, from savory to sweet
With a calm demeanor and steady eye contact, she now manages a menu that spans Russian, Belorussian, Ukrainian, and Georgian dishes, alongside signature cocktail creations of her own.
When Tabani opened in October 2025, the real journey began. She found the biggest challenge was "in the details and small tasks that have to be considered in every decision."
As the bar concept evolved into a full restaurant and she developed the menu alongside her chef, the business became her everything.
Tabani, which will soon open its terrace for the warmer months
Her advice now is simple: don't forget about life outside work. "Your ambitions can take you far away from your inner resource—your health."
As for that dream bar in Thailand? "I will do it, but later."
Tabani Bar & Bistro
Tabani Bar & Bistro 191 Hengshan Lu, by Gao'an Lu, Xuhui District 衡⼭路191号, 近高安路
Lucky Huang
Co-Founder of Boo's Bar
Lucky Huang, co-founder of Boo's bar
After gaining experience in the baking world, Lucky Huang realized she preferred focusing on one craft—the intricacies of mixology.
She set her mind to it, and one day, while working in Xiamen, came across a job posting for a position in Shanghai.
"Yao Lu, a really big name in the bartending world, was hiring for his new bar—Union Trading Company," she recalls.
"Xiamen was a wonderful place to live, but I realized that at my age, I needed more than comfort. I needed to grow, to face challenges, and to push my boundaries.
"I knew Shanghai was the epicenter of the cocktail industry in China, offering the best opportunities and the most dynamic environment.
"So I took a chance and reached out to Yao. That chance led me to Shanghai, where I've been building my career and my life ever since."
Entrance to Boo's, photo by Jimmy Jordan / That's.
After Union Trading Co., Huang went on to co-found Pop Corner—a beloved spot during its years in operation—and now runs Boo's.
Looking back on her journey, she reflects: "There were definitely some dark, emotional moments where I doubted whether I should keep going. But I've always been able to talk myself into enjoying the process more.
"When you decide you want to reach a goal, you just have to face whatever comes along the way. What I really look forward to is the joy of finishing what I set out to do."
Her advice is to stay in tune with your emotions. "Only with a healthy mindset can we keep going for the long run."
READ MORE: Boo's: Clever Cocktails & Chinese Bar Bites
Boo's 50-3, Ruijin Er Lu, by Gaolan Lu, Huangpu District 瑞金二路50号-3, 近皋兰路
Benilda Monteroyo
Bela Fiesta at M50
Benilda Monteroyo at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards 2024
Filipina Benilda Monteroyo's path was slightly different. She was originally brought to Shanghai in 2012 by her aunt to study Chinese.
She studied hard at East China Normal University (ECNU) while gaining part-time experience in F&B—and after graduation, she dove into the industry full time.
Since then, she's worked at a range of establishments spanning Singaporean, Turkish, and Mediterranean cuisines.
When a former boss decided to open a Filipino restaurant, Benilda felt a strong connection to the chance to celebrate the food and culture of her home country, and committed herself to managing Bela Fiesta, located in the M50 Art Area.
READ MORE: 8 Spaces for Women in Shanghai
Inside seating at Bela Fiesta restaurant, serving Filipino fare
"I took the risk of investing time and effort, and supported my boss in opening our own Filipino restaurant after the pandemic," she says
"It was challenging, but I trusted my experience and was determined to make it successful."
Bela Fiesta went on to win Southeast Asian Restaurant of the Year at the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards 2024.
The restaurant hosts karaoke nights and events like cocktail-making classes.
Her advice is simple and sound: "Value your experience, and keep improving your skills."
Reservations: 138 1770 5841
Bela Fiesta Room 101, Building 11, M50 Art District, 50 Moganshan Lu, by Xi Suzhou Lu, Putuo District 莫干山路50号11号楼101室, 近西苏州路
8 Badass Women of Shanghai F&B 2025
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