‘Airbnbs for dining’ give Italian female chefs chance to shine

Rise of social eating networks in Italy presenting women with opportunity to monetise skills not widely utilised in male-dominated restaurant kitchen culture

During the day, Claudia Proietti works in the insurance industry. But at night, she is dreaming up menus. Next week, the 59-year-old plans to serve a 16-people carnival-inspired feast that uses "all the colours of nature", beginning with a velvety orange pumpkin soup with ricotta crostini and ending with a rich chocolate semifreddo with ginger, doused in a green pistachio sauce.

While the menu may sound fit for a fine dining restaurant, Proietti will be seating her guests - who are paying a25 (19) a head - in her own home. She is one of the top-rated Roman chefs on the Gnammo website, a social eating network - think Airbnb for restaurants - that is offering chefs, especially women, a new outlet to show their talent.