The Best of the Midlands : Women in Food & Hospitality – 26th October 2026

Join Women in the Food Industry for The Best of the Midlands — a special event bringing together culinary arts students, educators, chefs and women working across the food and hospitality industry in the Midlands. Hosted at University College Birmingham (Birmingham College of Food), this inspiring half-day event is all about connection, conversation and celebrating the incredible women shaping the future of food and hospitality across the region.

Meet our panellists

We’re delighted to already have an inspiring line-up of chefs, educators and industry voices joining our panels, including:

• Ash Valenzuela-Heeger – award-winning chef owner of Riverine Rabbit and Great British Menu contestant
• Sophie Hyam – award-winning freelance chef and product developer
• Yasmine Selwood – award-winning chef and Culinary Arts Management Lecturer at University College Birmingham
• Chef Daksha – owner of My Green Kitchen and food educator
• Nitisha Patel – award-winning chef, food consultant, company director & former University College Birmingham student
• Heerum Fleary – Founder and Director of TickEat Group, a specialist food and beverage company connecting brands with buyers across the travel sector
• Melissa Tofani is a former University College Birmingham student whose career has taken her from the world of Michelin-starred restaurants to the wine industry where she is manager at Loki Wine, one of the UK’s most awarded independent wine merchants.
• Sanah Masood – Patisserie Chef Lecturer at Birmingham College of Food.

…and more inspiring voices from across the Midlands food and hospitality community.

🎤 Three panels, lunch and networking. One inspiring day.

• Equality in the Hospitality World
  Real conversations about women’s experiences, opportunities and creating a more inclusive hospitality industry.
• Culinary Education & Careers in Food
  Discover the many routes a career in food can take – from private cheffing and contract catering to product development, education and beyond.
• Food for Good
  Explore how food and hospitality can be a force for positive change in our communities and society.

Who should attend?

This event is ideal for anyone curious about the creative and commercial world of supper clubs and alternative food businesses, including:

• Culinary arts and hospitality students exploring their future careers (UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM STUDENTS CAN APPLY FOR FREE TICKETS)
• Chefs and culinary professionals at every stage of their careers
• Food and hospitality professionals working across the wider industry
• Women considering a career change or new direction
• Food entrepreneurs and business owners
• People working in food for social good and community initiatives
• Educators and academic staff
• Anyone who wants to connect with and learn from women across the Midlands food community

You don’t need to have a particular job title or career path to attend. If you’re passionate about food and curious about where it can take you, we’d love to see you there.

FIND OUT MORE & BOOK THE BEST OF THE MIDLANDS TICKETS HERE.