What is Belgian food you might ask? Is it French, German, or perhaps Dutch? Beyond the popular national dishes of moules frites and sugar waffles, is there much to it?   Our Ambassador of Women In the Food Industry and Writer, Antonia Lloyd, reviews Ruth Van Waerebeek’s The Taste of Belgium which opens our eyes to the possibilities of this less familiar cuisine of ‘elegant comfort food’. 

Elly Wentworth is one of the country’s finest young chefs and her debut cookbook is a beautiful, impeccably presented collection of fine dining recipes demonstrating her immense skill, flair, and passion for the finest Devonian ingredients served up at The Angel of Dartmouth. Our Ambassador of Women In the Food Industry and Writer, Antonia Lloyd, reviews Elly Wentworth at The Angel of Dartmouth which launches on 30th May 2024 .

The British Library Food Season are in the 6th year of their highly popular talks on food, all inspired by their extensive food-related collections.  Many of the events feature prominent women in the food industry. The events started in  April and run until early June 2024. We highlight some of our favourites of over “the BIG Weekend” – a two-day celebration of food through words, sounds, cultures, ideas and tastings running 25th and 26th May 2024.

Ambassador of Women In the Food Industry and Writer, Antonia Lloyd, spends a weekend cooking from Anna Haugh’s newly released cookbook – Cooking with Anna: : Modern Home Cooking with Irish Heart. Anna has created a wonderful debut cookbook that will expand any family cook’s repertoire with a light touch.

As Mental Health Awareness Week approaches (13-19 May 2024) Ambassador of Women In the Food Industry and Writer, Antonia Lloyd, talks to the Women Head Chefs making waves in their restaurant kitchens and why wellbeing matters.

The In Conversation With… podcast series by The Food People ( a global trends & ideas agency) features people, businesses, brands and entrepreneurs from across the food & drink world – finding out more about why they do what they do, their purpose, how they see the future and how, in their way, they are championing change and shifting the future of food & drink. Our co-founder Mecca Ibrahim (Mex) was delighted to feature this month to speak to Charles Banks about addressing equality within the industry and how our organisation trailblazes women in food.

The Guild of Food Writers announced the shortlists for its annual Awards for 2024, one of the longest running awards in food writing and broadcasting. The shortlists highlight emerging talents from women writers including Su Scott and Felicity Souter. Also some of the industry’s best-known food writers and broadcasters, including Xanthe Clay and Bee Wilson. Our co-founder Mecca Ibrahim is a member of The Guild of Food Writers and highlights the women finalists ahead of the awards ceremony which will take place on Wednesday 12th June 2024.

The Fortnum & Mason Food and Drink Awards are one of the most eagerly awaited dates in the culinary calendar.  Recognising excellence in food and drink writing, broadcasting and photography, for thirteen years, Fortnum and Mason are continually championing those who help others to enjoy, explore, experiment, and discover more about food and drink, through their writing, photography, and commentary.  It’s an area that women do very well in and this year was no exception.  Our co-founder Mecca Ibrahim was at The Royal Exchange for a star-studded awards ceremony on May 2nd 2024 to see the winners.

The FoodTech 500, powered by Forward Fooding, is the world’s first definitive list of the global entrepreneurial talent at the intersection between food, technology and sustainability. It is also dedicated to celebrating diversity and inclusivity. Forward Fooding recently revealed that out of the 500 finalists, 138 have been founded by women. Their recent feature on The FoodTech 500 threw the spotlight on these remarkable founders and gained insights from Women in the Food Industry co-founder – Mex Ibrahim. Discover what she said and why she believes diversity is vital for the future of agrifoodtech.

Having worked at Le Gavroche in 1990 under Albert Roux, Louise Monaghan returned last year to be part of the closing team. She has reflected on her time there and has written a piece for us at Women In The Food Industry about the contrast between her experiences in her 20’s and 50’s and the vital role that ‘seasoned individuals’, like herself, still have to play in the hospitality industry. Louise is now starting a new venture to encourage over 50’s to work in the hospitality industry. 

WIFI Chats is a series of podcasts hosted by Mex Ibrahim, co-founder of ⁠Women in The Food Industry. In this episode Mex talks to the first ladies of UK BBQ – ⁠Sam & Shauna⁠ of the BBC’s Food & Farming Award winning ⁠Hang Fire BBQ⁠ & three BBC hit series ⁠Sam & Shauna’s Big Cook Out⁠ & authors of best selling cookbook – ⁠The Hang Fire Cookbook Recipes & Adventures in American BBQ⁠.

Plant Feasts – Frankie Paz’s debut cookbook (published by Nourish Books / Watkins 9th April 2024) is reviewed by Ambassador of Women In the Food Industry and TV Producer, Antonia Lloyd, who talks candidly with Frankie about her overcoming drug addiction and then appearing on Jamie Oliver’s Cookbook Challenge for Channel 4.