We’re passionate about food – and about celebrating and championing the millions of women who work in every part of the industry.
About
This pioneering new initiative is the place for each and every woman in the food industry to tell their story, to be heard and be given equal respect. This is a place where all women in the food industry can come together to celebrate, communicate and collaborate.
None of us is stronger than all of us. Together, anything is possible.
Brought to you by…
Friends and food lovers, Mex Ibrahim and Janie Ash. Their heartfelt desire is to nurture and support women in the food industry.
In a male-dominated industry, our purpose is to bring women to the forefront to tell their stories and to show collaboration beats competition.
We believe the culture has to change toward gender equality. We’ll do this by empowering women and shining a spotlight on the industry. It’s about creating and celebrating a network of women – the more we come together, the greater the change.
Because positive collaboration is a beautiful—and delicious—thing
Memberships
Events
Equality in the Hospitality Industry & WiFi (Women In the Food Industry) Networking
An evening to discuss equality within the food industry and why it is still such a hot topic even in the 21st century. We’ll discuss the moves that many restaurants and organisations are making to ensure parity with the hospitality industry and what we can all do to make working in the food industry a more balanced place in terms of gender.
Friday, 27th September 2019
Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ
Sustainable Gastronomy Day Panel & Supper – Women In the Food Industry
We work with so many amazing women in the food industry who have sustainability at the core of their business models or have been making them as sustainable as possible and wanted to celebrate the efforts of the UN in creating Sustainable Gastronomy Day. On the evening of the 18th June 2019 you can join us for an insightful and delicious night.
Tuesday, 18th June 2019
Cookery School, 15 Little Portland St, Marylebone, London W1W 8BW
International Women’s Day – Pioneering Women in the Food Industry
To close our celebrations of championing women in the food industry, on International Women’s Day we will be talking to some women who are trailblazers and pioneers in their field.
We will uncover their amazing journeys and some of the issues they feel are facing women in the food industry today and whether this has changed over time.
Friday, 8th March 2019
RSA - The Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam Street, London, WC2N 6EZ
International Women’s Day – RSA Rawthmells Friday Conversations
At 2pm join Mecca Ibrahim FRSA, co-founder of Women in The Food Industry, to explore issues common to women working in the field of food, from professional restaurants, hospitality, food, drink, farming, food journalism and blogging, right through to food photography.
Friday, 8th March 2019
The Steps, Rawthmells Coffeehouse, RSA House, 8 John Adam Street. London. WC2N 6EZ
Women in Food Photography
Calling all foodies, food photographers and food bloggers!
We invite you to meet & learn from phenomenal food photographer of the year, Jade Sarkhel, award winning blogger Rosana McPhee and the fun and talented @MyLegoMan in our Food Photography panel discussion and workshop.
Thursday, 7th March 2019
Market Halls, 472 Fulham Rd, Fulham, London SW6 1BY
Doing Good With Food
We welcome you to our panel discussion themed around Doing Good with Food, Sustainability and Food Waste. The panel with discuss food as a source for good, from a sustainability angle this means how we should try to use resources wisely, not damage the planet with how we package food and what we can do to eliminate food waste. We will also explore how working with food can educate us.
Wednesday, 6th March 2019
Soane's Kitchen, Walpole Park, Mattock Lane, London W5 6BE
Women in Food and Drink
We invite you to join us for a panel discussion and tasting experience ahead of International Women’s Day. A panel of leading influential women in wine, beer, whiskey & food, chaired by Andi Oliver, will discuss why drink is such an integral part of the food industry.
You will have the opportunity to ask them questions but also take part in a tasting of wine, beer & whiskey that has been expertly paired with food by plant based chef Bettina Campolucci.
Monday, 4th March 2019
Vantage Point, 2 Junction Road, London, N19 5FF
Scottish Women In Food
Scottish Women In Food – A panel discussion We invite you to join us for a panel discussion to hear first hand from some inspiring women in food who are committed to empowering others. Hosted by Fiona Richmond, we shall be discussing the broader theme of #BalanceforBetter amongst other topics ahead of International Women’s Day.
Monday, 4th March 2019
Edinburgh New Town Cookery School
News
12/11/2019
Interview with Nicola Matthews UK Marketing Manager of Tony’s Chocolonely
Chocolate is a treat for many and generally makes us feel good, but it may not always be sourced from a good place. Tony’s Chocolonely is a brand which aims to bring about slave free chocolate. Our co-founder Mecca Ibrahim caught up with Nicola Matthews, their Marketing manager in the UK and Ireland to find out more about Tony’s work, what they are doing to make their slave-free chocolate mission global and how they balance that serious mission with their bright, bold and somewhat crazy products.
10/11/2019
Olivia Burt on competing in MasterChef The Professionals – Interview
We had the wonderful opportunity to catch up with Olivia Burt, Sous Chef at Claridge’s, who is competing in MasterChef The Professionals on BBC2. Olivia was also the only female chef to make the finals of the Roux Scholarship. Our co-founder, Mecca Ibrahim, recently spoke to Olivia about her experience on MasterChef The Professionals and what it’s like cooking on a national TV show.
09/11/2019
Women in Wartime – What can we learn from Good Housekeeping?
At time when the UK has never felt more divided what, if anything, can we learn from how women in times of war dealt with great change and everyday issues such as food shortages. Women in the Food Industry co-founder, Mecca Ibrahim, turned to a battered second hand book – The Home Front – The Best of Good Housekeeping 1939-1945 for guidance.
03/11/2019
Interview & Podcast with Lesley Stonier CMO of Forward Fooding
One person who is working constantly on innovation in the food and foodtech industry is Lesley Stonier, Chief Marketing Officer of Forward Fooding. The organisation works to help create partnerships between established food organisations and startups to create a brighter future of food. Our co-founder Mecca Ibrahim caught up with Lesley to find out more about her work, the Food Tech 500 and what we can learn from big food brands.
29/10/2019
Expect the unexpected. If you’re a fan of food and food photography, you may be excited to hear there is a new exhibition at The Photographers’ Gallery in London, exploring the rich history of food photography. Our co-founder, Mecca Ibrahim, went along to Feast for The Eyes, with a number of expectations. Discover what she thought of gallery’s take on the development of food photography and the artistic, social and political contexts that have influenced it.
23/10/2019
Interview with Bianca Tia Mesuria – Winner of Le Cordon Bleu Julia Child Scholarship
In September 2019 renowned culinary institute, Le Cordon Bleu London announced the winner of their coveted Julia Child Scholarship. Bianca Tia Mesuria from Hackney in London went home with the title after beating off immense competition for the prize. Our co-founder Mecca Ibrahim caught up with her to find out more about the competition, meeting baking legend Mary Berry and appearing on BBC Saturday Kitchen Live.
22/10/2019
Skye Gyngell wins 2019 AYALA SquareMeal Female Chef of the Year
The SquareMeal Female Chef of the Year award was launched in 2018 to celebrate the huge contribution female chefs are making to the UK restaurant industry. On 21st October 2019 Skye Gyngell chef-patron of Spring and culinary director of Heckfield Place became the second winner of the title. Skye was presented with her award at a Champagne reception at The Goring in Belgravia for the shortlisted chefs.
18/10/2019
The winners of the annual Observer Food Monthly Awards were announced on 17th October 2019. Celebrating the best in food and drink, the awards are voted for by both readers and a panel of judges. Hosted by Nigella Lawson and Jay Rayner 17 awards were presented at The Freemasons Hall in London. Discover some of the amazing women who picked up accolades.
Get in touch