Celebrating International Women’s Day 2026 at Mercato Mayfair – Recap
Here’s a recap of our three inspiring panel discussions at the beautiful Mercato Mayfair along with a mini food & drinks fair celebrating female-founded food businesses.
To mark International Women’s Day 2026, Women in the Food Industry returned to the beautiful Mercato Mayfair with three inspiring panel discussions and a mini food and drinks fair celebrating female-founded businesses.
Set in a stunning Grade I listed former church, this full-day event bought together women from across the food world to share ideas, experiences and lessons learned – the good, the challenging and everything in between.
From exploring what the future of food really looks like, to opening up the realities of getting a food book published, through to growing a food business with integrity, these sessions were designed to be open, practical and genuinely useful. Each panel ran for two hours, giving space for real conversation, audience questions and shared learning – all aligned with #GiveToGain.
10:30 – 12:30 | The Future of Food
What does the future hold for the food industry? Leading nutritionists, nutritional therapists and food experts explored key shifts shaping what and how we eat. Topics included weight-loss drugs, personalised nutrition, ultra-processed food, Big Food’s response to change, food culture, global food systems and emerging trends from the USA and beyond.
14:00 – 16:00 | How Easy Is It to Get a Book Published?
From cookbooks to food memoirs and fiction, explore food writing as both a revenue stream and a powerful branding tool. Attendees met published authors who shared what it really takes to succeed in the competitive world of food and recipe publishing.
16:30 – 18:30 | Growth with Authenticity
Whether you’re nurturing an idea or scaling an established food business, learn how to grow without losing your values. Our attendees heard from women who have built successful food brands and non-profits, sharing the lessons, challenges and breakthroughs behind sustainable growth.
What happened at the event?
✨ Big-picture thinking on food, nutrition and global systems
📚 Real talk about food writing, publishing and storytelling
🌱 Honest insights on building and scaling food brands with authenticity
🤝 Great food, great company, and the chance to discover exciting female-led food businesses
Over lunch and in the afternoon break there was Mini Food & Drinks Fair
Our attendees bought lunch from an offering of international cuisines made with fresh, sustainable ingredients at Mercato Mayfair. Then discovered and sampled products from our curated selection of female-founded food & drinks brands.
Including
Louisa’s Honey – Award winning honey
Ramtang – Lemon & Lime Citrus Liqueurs
Ka Na Homecooked – Authentic Award winning curry base!
Dapur Mariae – Award winning Malaysian cooking sauces
The Garden of Eva – Award winning preserves made from watermelon rind
Little Big Flavour Kits – Award winning Sri Lankan curry spice kits
Bhangra Blends – South Asian drinks brand redefining cocktails and mocktails
Earthnutz – Award Winning Peanut Protein Crisps
Luxwells – Award winning botanical infused water beverages
The Persian Kitchen – Award winning flavours from the Middle East
Some of our supporters
