Recap – Celebrating Women in The Food Industry Panel & Lunch at The Grand, York – 5th March 2025

Did you miss our IWD 2025 event?  Women in The Food Industry brought together inspiring women in the North of England for a morning celebrating International Women’s Day followed by lunch at The Grand, York

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

From overcoming challenges to breaking barriers, the panellists offered invaluable insights into what it truly takes to thrive in the food, drink and hospitality sector.

Aimed at aspiring chefs, entrepreneurs, & hospitality professionals, this event aimed to create connections and celebrate the incredible talent shaping Yorkshire’s food and drink scene.

AGENDA

10.30am – Arrival & Registration

11am-12 noon – Panel event & Q&A chaired by Cara Houchen – Director of Take A Bite Media

Join our panellists including: Saskia Roskam & Lisa Shepherd – Co Founders of The Biskery, Sally Spilman of Spilmans Farm established in 1941, Colette Safhill – MD of Goat Drinks & Myth Drinks , Laurissa Heywood – co-owner & restaurant manager of Pignut and Samiria Effa currently head chef at Bar & Restaurant EightyEight at Grantley Hall.

12.15pm – Lunch and networking

MEET THE PANELLISTS

Lisa & Saskia, co-founders of The Biskery, are on a mission to make one million people feel appreciated by the end of 2028. Using the UK’s favourite treat: biscuits!

They understand the impact of unreasonable levels of attention to the small things that deepen relationships.

Their biscuit gifts encourage people to be more creative and intentional in building relationships with the people they love, work with and those whom they serve.

All the while prioritising quality ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and sustainability in every area. This includes supporting family-friendly employment options.

Colette Safhill is the Founder and Managing Director of Goats Drinks and Myth Drinks. She has a background in psychology and has a particular interest in the impacts of alcohol on society.

Myth is rooted in Colette’s passion for creating beautiful products without alcohol which are relevant to the occasion and without compromising on taste or quality.

Goat is all about a community driven by energy and fun, with a range of natural energy drinks at its core.

Colette often finds herself speaking out on issues which impact women and is excited to be speaking at this first Women in the Food Industry in the North event.

Colette is part of the founding group of incredible women bringing this much needed voice to the North and is looking forward to many more events in the future.

Laurissa Heywood is the co-owner and restaurant manager of Pignut, an acclaimed Michelin-recommended and 3 AA Rosette-awarded fine dining restaurant in Helmsley which opened in 2023. Passionate about sustainability, hospitality, and exceptional guest experiences, Laurissa has played a pivotal role in establishing Pignut as one of Yorkshire’s standout dining destinations.

With years of experience in restaurant management at some of York’s top establishments, including The Rattle Owl and The Star Inn The City, Laurissa’s expertise in wine pairing, team leadership, and sustainable dining has shaped Pignut’s ethos. Under her guidance, the restaurant has earned recognition for its hyper-local sourcing, zero-waste philosophy, and innovative approach to modern British cuisine. In 2024 she was awarded a prestigious Acorn Award by The Caterer, Pignut received Carbon Neutral certification from Carbon Neutral Britain and won the Yorkshire Post Tourism Awards, Newcomer of the Year.

Beyond Pignut’s success, Laurissa is dedicated to fostering community partnerships, such as working with Helmsley Walled Garden and forging relationships with local producers, suppliers and artists.

Sally Spilman is a dedicated farmer and business owner, playing a key role in running Spilman’s Farming alongside her husband Richard and their sons, Tom and Joss. Based in Sessay, North Yorkshire, the 700-acre family farm has been at the forefront of sustainable agriculture and diversification, offering everything from Pick Your Own experiences to a farm shop, café, and play barn.

With a passion for seasonal produce, Sally and her family grow an array of crops including asparagus, strawberries, raspberries, wheat, and barley. She has been instrumental in expanding the farm’s offerings, helping to establish one of Yorkshire’s first Pick Your Own experiences over 47 years ago—a move that shaped the farm’s success today.

Sally continues to be a driving force behind Spilman’s, helping to evolve the business while maintaining its strong family values and deep connection to the local community.

Huddersfield-born Samira Effa started her career at a local restaurant whilst still at school, where she developed her love of rich flavours thanks to her Iranian mother and Nigerian father. Since then, she has gained a wealth of experience all over the country in various Michelin-starred restaurants including 21212 in Edinburgh, Alimentum in Cambridge and Bohemia in Jersey.

Samira, now based in North Yorkshire, has also worked as a senior production chef for TRUEfoods, which helps to develop premium products for the restaurant industry. Samira became head chef at Bar & Restaurant EightyEight at Grantley Hall in June 2022.

She is set to leave her role this year to focus on her own venture, Epicurean Duo, a private dining experience which she co-founded with George Birtwell, Head Chef of Events at Made In Oldstead. She has also appeared on BBC’s Great British Menu three times.

This event was held at Yorkshire’s luxury 5-star Edwardian Hotel, The Grand, and was a must-attend event for all food producers, food writers, chefs, hospitality professionals, influencers, bloggers and those with a strong interest in the food industry for International Women’s Day.

Do sign up to Women In The Food Industry’s newsletter to be the first to hear of future  events.

You may also like our feature on The Biskery – Bespoke, Personalised Biscuits Brand led by Mothers.