Our mission is to empower women, shine a spotlight on what they are doing for the UK food industry and build a community of women who give each other support, confidence and strength.

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About

We believe you can’t be what you can’t see. Championing and celebrating women in the UK food industry is at the heart of what we do. This is THE place for conversation, insight, news, events, podcasts, stories, networking and community support across all sectors of the food industry.

Subscribe to our newsletter and you can support our community with a small annual fee.

With your help we aim to:
• Increase the awareness of all the roles women play in the industry
• Show the wide range of roles and opportunities for women
• Connect women across all sectors for conversation and support
• Be a resource and a place where women can get the help they need

We want to see a world in which the food industry treats women as equal, champions inclusion and diversity and actively helps women of all ages and backgrounds fulfil their dreams and ambitions to work in food.  We also want to help move women up the ranks and become strong leaders and role models in the industry.

Led by co-founder, Mex Ibrahim with the valuable help of Ambassadors: Irini Tzortzoglou, Antonia Lloyd, Shelley Sofier and Emma White, we all share the heart-felt belief that collaboration is better than competition and we welcome the support of both men and women to help our aims.

Women in the Food Industry became a Community Interest Company (CIC) on 18th July 2023 and doesn’t exist to make a profit – we work towards a purpose, reinvesting any surplus money into achieving our goal.

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Annual

£25.00 / year (1 year)

Student

If you’re a student or under 25, email us (hello@womeninthefoodindustry.com) with proof of age or student ID and we’ll send you a discount code.

£10.00 for 1 year (1 year)

Support Us

If you like what we do, but you are not a woman in the food industry, you can still join our community for only £25 a year.

£25.00 / year (1 year)

Celebrating Women in The Food Industry Panel & Lunch at The Grand, York – 10.30am – 2pm – 5th March 2025

The first-ever Women in the Food Industry (WIFI) Yorkshire event is set to be an inspiring and empowering gathering, bringing together some of the region’s most accomplished women in food and drink. This new event will feature an exceptional line-up of speakers, each sharing their personal journey to success.

Wednesday, 5th March 2025

The Grand, York
Station Rise
North Yorkshire
YO1 6GD

Strong in Sustainability + Standing Up – International Women’s Day Panels – 3pm – 6pm – 4th March 2025

Join Women in the Food Industry for two inspiring panel events. Discover how three women, who now work in the food industry, have experienced the challenges of working in predominantly male environments. How did they make themselves heard & stand up for their views? You will also meet three experts in sustainability who are showing how the future of our food systems depends on a diverse & empathetic workplaces and leadership.

Tuesday, 4th March 2025

Halifax HQ
First Floor
118-132 New Oxford Street
London, WC1A 1HL

Elevate Your Food Photography Workshops for International Women’s Day – 10am-3pm – 4th March 2025

Join professional food photographer Rupa for two immersive, hands-on workshops designed specifically for food entrepreneurs, bloggers & chefs. With personalised guidance, live demonstrations, and interactive practice, you’ll leave equipped to transform your food photography, making your dishes look as enticing on screen as they are in person.

Tuesday, 4th March 2025

Halifax HQ
First Floor
118-132 New Oxford Street
London, WC1A 1HL

Celebrating Women In The Food Industry – Three IWD 2025 Panels at MM Mayfair – 9.30am-6pm – 3rd March 2025

Join us at Women in the Food Industry for three unmissable panel events. From the challenges of book publishing, to women using food to improve our world, through to what it takes create a successful food brand – you will be buzzing with practical insights from women who have experienced highs (and lows) within their specialist areas. Each panel is two hours allowing us take a deep dive into the issues which will truly #AccelerateAction.

Monday, 3rd March 2025

Lower Ground Floor,
Mercato Mayfair
St Mark's Church
North Audley Street
London W1K 6ZA

Innovative Ways to Build Confidence & Overcome Challenges in Hospitality – Monday 24th February – Craft Guild of Chefs Wellness Event

Join Craft Guild of Chefs Wellness Ambassador Andy Aston and an inspiring panel of female industry leaders including Women in the Food Industry co-founder Mex Ibrahim as they share personal stories of resilience, building confidence, and achieving success in the hospitality industry. Discover how they’ve tackled challenges head-on, and leave with practical, actionable tips to boost your confidence and support your colleagues in doing the same. This session promises to be both insightful and inspiring.

Monday, 24th February 2025

Extract Coffee Roasters, London
5 Morocco Street
London SE1 3HB

Women of a Certain Age Panel Event – Monday 20th January 2025 – Event Recap

On January 20th 2025 Women in the Food Industry held an essential panel discussion on “Women of a Certain Age” on the first floor events room at The Lucky Saint. The event brought together industry leaders and experts to explore the critical issue of an ageing population and how older women are regarded in hospitality, the media and the food industry. Alongside the panel the lively audience at the sold-out event shared best practices, explored lived experiences, and started the discussion towards actionable strategies so that women of all ages have the opportunity to thrive in the sector.

Monday, 20th January 2025

First Floor
The Lucky Saint
58 Devonshire Street
London W1W 5EA

Christmas Canapés & Festive Fireside Chats – Tuesday 3rd December 2024 – Event Recap

Women in the Food Industry and The Chefs Forum teamed up with one of West London’s largest catering colleges – West London College – Hammersmith & Fulham Campus, for an evening of canapés, Christmas drinks and insightful fireside chats. Guests enjoyed delicious canapés prepared by catering students working with our chef community, plus wine & delicious non alcoholic drinks. There was also sampling of food, drink gifts and party food ideas from a range of award-winning female founders.

Tuesday, 3rd December 2024

Taste Restaurant
West London College - Hammersmith & Fulham Campus
9 Gliddon Road
London
W14 9BL

The Conduit Food Systems Community Drinks – Monday 2nd December 2024

Join our supporters The Conduit – a members club for social impact – for Food Systems networking drinks on Monday 2nd December! Meet the burgeoning community committed to creating a sustainable, just and prosperous future for food. 

Monday, 2nd December 2024

Ubuntu Lounge, 3rd Floor, The Conduit, 6 Langley St, London WC2H 9JA

News

15/02/2025

Interview with Minal Patel representing North East on Great British Menu 2025 – Women In the Food Industry

At Women in the Food Industry we are continuing our series of interviews with the strong female line-up of chefs from across Britain competing to serve their dish at the final banquet. Our co-founder, Mecca Ibrahim, interviewed Minal Patel. She is the youngest female Head Chef on superyachts. Originally from St Andrews, Hannah is representing Scotland.

Read more

08/02/2025

Interview with Hannah Rose representing Scotland on Great British Menu 2025 – Women In the Food Industry

At Women in the Food Industry we are continuing our series of interviews with the strong female line-up of chefs from across Britain competing to serve their dish at the final banquet. Our co-founder, Mecca Ibrahim, interviewed yacht chef Hannah Rose. She is the youngest female Head Chef on superyachts. Originally from St Andrews, Hannah is representing Scotland.

Read more

07/02/2025

Great British Menu – Home Banquets – Interview & Book Review

Great British Menu Book – A cookbook celebrating the 20th series with a selection of dishes that made it to the banquets over the years and ones that were incredible that didn’t quite get there. Our co-founder Mecca Ibrahim spoke to the show’s Series Producer Avril Beaven who collated all of the 80 recipes for the book and worked on the production of this stunning book.

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03/02/2025

Interview with Amber Francis representing the South West region on Great British Menu 2025 – Women In the Food Industry

Great British Menu (GBM) puts the nation’s most talented chefs to the test. At Women in the Food Industry we are continuing our series of interviews with the strong female line-up of chefs from across Britain competing to serve their dish at the final banquet. Our co-founder, Mecca Ibrahim, interviewed Amber Francis Head Chef and Food educator at secondary school Christ’s College Finchley as part of the Chefs in Schools Programme.

Read more

01/02/2025

Interview with Ashleigh Farrand representing South West on Great British Menu 2025 – Women In the Food Industry

Great British Menu (GBM) puts the nation’s most talented chefs to the test. At Women in the Food Industry we are continuing our series of interviews with the strong female line-up of chefs from across Britain competing to serve their dish at the final banquet. Our co-founder, Mecca Ibrahim, interviewed Ashleigh Farrand Head Chef of The Kingham Plough, in The Cotswolds.

Read more

25/01/2025

Interview with Livia Alarcon representing North West on Great British Menu 2025 – Women In the Food Industry

Great British Menu (GBM) puts the nation’s most talented chefs to the test. At Women in the Food Industry we are continuing our series of interviews with the strong female line-up of chefs from across Britain competing to serve their dish at the final banquet. Our co-founder, Mecca Ibrahim, interviewed Livia Alarcon Head Chef Owner of La Bistroteca, in Liverpool.

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21/01/2025

Great Women on Great British Menu 2025

We are delighted that Great British Menu (GBM) is returning to our screens on 28 January 2025 for series 20 – its 20th anniversary year. The BBC Two show puts the nation’s most talented chefs to the test. It will air weekly, Tuesdays to Thursdays, 8pm on BBC Two for eight weeks. The theme for 2025 will be Great Britons. Women in the Food Industry will be interviewing all of the female chefs competing.

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15/01/2025

Last call to enter World Food Photography Awards 2025

Time is running out to enter the World Food Photography Awards sponsored by Tenderstem® Bimi® Broccolini, the world’s greatest celebration of food photography, with submissions closing on Sunday 9 February 2025.  This year Women In The Food Industry are delighted to be involved in the judging advisory panel being particular fans of the Claire Aho Award for Women Photographers category. 

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Enquiries

Mex Ibrahim

E: mex@womeninthefoodindustry.com
M: 07766083132


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