The City Food & Drink Lecture is an annual, invitation-only high-profile fixture in the City of London and international food industry calendars. The Lecture is delivered by a leading figure in the British food business who is invited to speak about the issues they regard as most important in shaping the way food and drink is produced, distributed, marketed, sold and consumed. An expert panel then debates and explores the subject as well as wider questions from the audience A buffet supper is then served in the Old Library.
The food sector contributes over £112 billion to the UK economy and evokes many areas of debate and never more now, including sustainability, its carbon footprint, exports and imports post Brexit, the key role it plays in the physical and mental health of our people, sourcing, diversification and custodianship and much more. The City Food & Drink Lecture provides an excellent opportunity for discussion and debate on current and future food issues and encourages innovative thinking.
Held in the Great Hall at the prestigious Guildhall, the event is attended by c650. The City Food & Drink Lecture is supported by the eight City livery companies whose roots are in the food industry – namely the Worshipful Companies of Bakers, Butchers, Cooks, Distillers, Farmers, Fishmongers, Fruiterers and Poulters.
For details of our keynote speaker and panellists, please click here
Tickets are by invitation only. However if you would like to express interest in attending the event, please contact
Fiona Patrick, the Event Director fiona@cityfooddrinklecture.com
Organisers
The City Food & Drink Lecture is organised by the eight City livery companies whose roots are in the food industry – namely the Worshipful Companies of Bakers, Butchers, Cooks, Distillers, Farmers, Fishmongers, Fruiterers, Poulters.
Worshipful Company of
Bakers
The Company is the City’s second-oldest recorded trade guild, being first mentioned in the ‘Pipe-Rolls’ of Henry II in 1155. Often blamed for the Great Fire of London, in which it lost its Hall, the Company has been in residence at Harp Lane since 1506. Its modern raison d’etre is its links to support the baking industry, particularly at the grassroots level of bakery education.
Worshipful Company of Butchers
The Butchers’ Company can trace its history as far back as 975 AD when, in the Ward of Farringdon Without, a Butchers’ Hall existed. Today, the Company is a vibrant organisation supporting an active trade by way of training, education and charitable work. Almost all its members are involved in the meat industry and thus share a common value in good fellowship.
Worshipful Company of Cooks
Receiving its first Royal Charter in 1482, the Cooks’ Company supports apprentice chefs training at Westminster Kingsway College and sponsors catering competitions across the industry and in the armed services. It also funds major charitable projects related to education and catering, through the ‘Adopt a Chef’ programme for schools and by making grants to charities such as Crisis UK, The Clink and the Treloar Trust.
Worshipful Company of Distillers
The Worshipful Company of Distillers was founded by Royal Charter in 1638, conferring powers and duties in the regulation of the trade of distillers – and those engaged in the preparation of artificial and strong waters – in the Cities of London and Westminster. Today, this vibrant Company is c.90% trade/trade-related, with an active livery of c.400. Recent initiatives include corporate sponsored freemen, the development of a mentoring programme and a series of charity auctions which have raised several millions.
Worshipful Company of Farmers
The Worshipful Company of Farmers is the City of London Livery Company dedicated to the positive promotion, better understanding, visibility, management and development of UK agriculture.
Its principal charitable purpose is agricultural education, delivered through its portfolio of highly respected courses and the provision of training, grants, bursaries and educational awards to inspire, drive and recognise excellence.
Worshipful Company of Fishmongers
Since 1272, the Fishmongers’ Company have been purveyors of standards and practices in the selling of fish. Fishmongers’ Hall, sited on the River Thames, is a spectacular setting for the convening of highest-level debate. We champion the sustainable management and use of the marine environment, to support the prosperity and well-being of our fishing industry and our island nation. Our diverse portfolio of programmes spans our oceans and rivers, alongside the burgeoning aquaculture industry and funding for scientific research. Our support for the fish trade covers all aspects of the industry; from coordination with the largest businesses in the sector, to connecting people to locally-caught in-season seafood through our Discover Seafoodprogramme, we work to uphold and promote a sustainable, thriving UK seafood trade. Through our support of the Fish in School Hero Programme , we also hope to inspire the next generation of fish lovers, by giving young people the skills and confidence to prepare and cook fish.
Worshipful Company of Fruiterers
Over the 700 years of its history, the Company has assumed different roles. Today the Company promotes excellence across all sectors of the fruit industry, as well as supporting education and research. It is active in raising funds and giving to charity. Half of its members are involved in the fresh produce industry.
Worshipful Company of Poulters
The Poulters’ Company, in common with other livery companies, was founded in the Middle Ages to control the provision of services and the manufacture and the selling of goods and food. The Company’s charitable role is increasing and it is active in promoting research and education in the trade through its charitable trusts, with a strong nucleus of members from the various branches of the poultry industry.
City Food & Drink Lecture 