Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2026 at MM Mayfair London: Shaping the Future of Food – Recap
Sustainble Gastronomy Day 2026 at Mercato Mayfair London – 📅 8 June | Recap
Chefs, food leaders & sustainability experts grouped together for inspiring panels exploring the culture, challenges & future of sustainable gastronomy. On 8th June 2026 we celebrated Sustainable Gastronomy Day with a dynamic day of conversation, insight and connection, bringing together 17 leading voices from across food, drink and hospitality. Through three thought-provoking panel discussions and a mini food fair, we explored who is shaping the future of food, what practical steps businesses can take today, and what must change across the system to build a more sustainable and resilient industry.
All photography by Liesel Bockl
Whether you’re a chef, founder, policymaker, student or food professional, this event offered fresh perspectives, real-world insight and meaningful discussion at the intersection of culture, sustainability and leadership.
🏛️ Set within the stunning surroundings of Mercato Metropolitano Mayfair – a beautifully restored Grade I listed former church – this full-day event created space for honest conversation, audience participation and shared learning.
10:30 – 12:30 | Shaping Sustainable Gastronomy: Women, Culture, and the Power Behind Our Food Systems
This opening panel brought together leading voices from across the food industry to explore how women are shaping sustainable gastronomy through culture, leadership, and influence. From heritage and identity to system-wide impact, the discussion set the stage for the day by examining the human forces driving change in how we produce, experience, and value food. We heard from Angela Malik – Global Hospitality & Food Systems Leader, Ceri Gott – Executive & Team Coach, Former Chief Growth & Culture Officer, Hawksmoor, Juliane Caillouette Noble – CEO of The Sustainable Restaurant Association (The SRA) Niki Behjou – Author and Owner of Award Winning GF Bakery Stall & Sue Couter – Food Expert & Sustainability Advocate.
Nicola Macdonald has written a great recap and insights from our opening panel for Speciality & Fine Food Fair.
14:00 – 16:00 | From Principle to Plate: A Practical Guide for Sustainable Food Businesses
The second session moved from ideas to action, exploring how food businesses of all sizes can embed sustainability into everyday operations. Bringing together expertise from across food, nutrition, policy, and safety, the panel will share practical approaches to sourcing, menus, waste, and responsibility – offering realistic steps that can be implemented immediately. We heard from chef Ayesha Kalaji, public health expert Nureen Glaves, Lauren Johnson from Aramark UK, Sareta Puri from Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming, & food safety expert Daria Liutcerina on this panel.
16:30 – 18:30 | The Future of Sustainable Gastronomy: Leadership, Systems, and What Comes Next
As the food system faces growing pressure – from climate change to food security – what comes next for sustainable gastronomy? Our closing panel brought together senior leaders from across food, hospitality, and policy to explore the structural shifts, leadership decisions, and system-wide changes needed to shape a more sustainable future. We heard from Tanya Haffner from MyNutriWeb, chefs Mehak Kansal, of Binda’s Eatery, Kate Fortescue of Ample and Vanessa Marx of Bingham Riverhouse | B Corp , sustainable food coach Andrea Zick PHd and Stevie Back of Sitopia Farm.
🌱 Each panel ran for two hours, allowing time to go beyond surface-level discussion and explore the real opportunities and challenges facing food, drink and hospitality today.
What Attendees Enjoyed
✨ Inspiring conversations with leading voices across food, hospitality and sustainability
🎤 Three expert-led panel discussions with audience Q&A
🌍 Fresh perspectives on the future of sustainable gastronomy
🍽️ Practical insights for food businesses, restaurants and hospitality professionals
🤝 Opportunities to connect with chefs, founders, policymakers and industry leaders
🏛️ A unique full-day experience in one of London’s most beautiful food venues
💡 Honest discussion on the challenges, opportunities and future of the industry
🛍️ A curated mini food fair showcasing sustainable food and drink brands to discover, sample and shop.
Including – Humanitea – vegan tea lattes, AllThatMatters – baked wild puffs, RamTang’ – Lemon Liqueur, Kloudy Matcha – feel good energy in a can, Chili Maven – authentic Mexican Salsa Macha and mole, Garden of Eva – award winning preserves made from watermelon rind, Luxwells – botanical infused water beverage range, IVA PLANTS – award winning herbal teas and Miss Kim Kickass Korean Food (all pictured above).
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR MORE UPDATES AND PHOTOS OF THE DAY!
In the meantime you might like to book tickets for our event for London Climate Action Week on 23rd June – Stories from the Frontline: Women in Food & Climate Action.
Some of our supporters
