Storytelling with Authenticity – International Women’s Day – Recap
On 11th March 2026 Women In The Food Industry held an empowering evening on authentic storytelling to celebrate IWD2026 – designed for women in food, hospitality and creative industries.
✨ What happened?
• A workshop – Why Food Brands That Tell Stories Win (and How to Start Telling Yours)
• A panel on authentic food storytelling, exploring culture, history, identity and visibility in food
Thanks to @lieselbockl for many of the photos
Why Food Brands that tell stories win (and how to start telling yours)
In a world where everyone is posting, the food brands that stand out are the ones that know how to tell meaningful stories. Stories that create connection, trust, and recognition long before someone ever buys.
This practical session led by Women In Food Industry co-founder Mex Ibrahim was designed to help you understand what food storytelling really is, why it’s becoming essential for food businesses in 2026, and how to start using it intentionally in your own content. Storytelling isn’t about oversharing or being dramatic. It’s about clarity, meaning, and helping people understand why your food and your brand exist.
After Mex presented the attendees grouped together to brainstorm what it was about the food brands they loved which made them the best storytellers.
Authentic Storytelling Panel Discussion
The workshop was followed by an insightful panel on authentic food storytelling, exploring culture, history, identity and visibility in food. We heard from the following:
Anjula Devi – author of 15 Minute Indian, 290k+ Instagram followers, consultant chef at Man Utd
Sohini – Smoke & Lime – supper club host telling stories of ingredients and colonial history
Soha Darwish – Food Writer & Culinary Consultant
Mex Ibrahim – Women In The Food Industry co-founder – chaired the panel.
Key highlights of the event
Sampling and tasting from local female founded food, drinks and lifestyle businesses
Including – Love By Cake,
Drinks and complimentary grazing tables included
Session on what good food storytelling really is and how to learn from those doing it well
Panel featuring inspiring women in the food industry
Mesmerising Classical Indian dance by Sohini
There was plenty of time for networking over drinks and the grazing table
WATCH THIS SPACE AS MORE PHOTOS ARE ADDED FOR STORYTELLING WITH AUTHENTICITY
Some of our supporters
