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TwitterInternational Women’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate some incredible women in Leeds’ food scene! From researchers and chefs to innovative business owners, here are 12 remarkable women driving positive and local change in the Good Food Movement.
(1) Jade Crawley, Head Chef at Fearns Leeds Dock , previously at head chef at Eat Your Greens and before that cheffing at the Wild Plum, who talks to Anna Schindler about the kitchens she worked in where toxic masculinity was oppressive. Read the full article.
“My advice to other women… people can tolerate a lot of unacceptable things and you don’t have to put up with it. You may have to look a little further, but you can find kitchens where people are treated fairly. Read, go on stages, volunteer your time and lift the curtains on what happens in other people’s kitchens. Inspiration can come from anywhere.” – Jade Crawley, Head Chef at Fearns Leeds Dock.
(2) Manjit Kaur of Manjit’s Kitchen who has been named one of the 100 most influencial women in hospitality by CODE, who described her as a chef owner who has made a mark on the city’s Punjabi food scene. Manjit is open hearted, resilient and rooted in her community, whilst also helping to give other women a leg up and into work.
(3) Amy Wright – As the founder of Nell’s Urban Greens and Farm Microgreens UK, Amy grows these tiny plants in multiple varieties for her local community whilst inspiring a new generation of microgreens farmers – all from her back-garden grow house in East Leeds. READ MORE
(4) Sonja Woodcock is the food partnership coordinator for Leeds who has been striving for decades to build a healthy, sustainable, fair food system for everyone in Leeds. See article below from independent researcher and writer Gemma Bridge.
(5) Season Well CIC, aka Viv & Becky, have been helping people have a go at growing for over 7 years. Through classes and food growing and cooking projects, they’ve been sharing the love and joy of delicious, seasonal food across Leeds.
(6) Ali Morpeth of Planeatery Alliance is driving transformative change in food systems. Read More
(6) Ali Morpeth – Co-Founder Planeatry Alliance | Building a better food future for people + planet | Bridging the gap between sustainability and health to drive transformative change in food systems.
(7) Anna Shindler, the culinary genius behind Food With View, is a chef and writer, writing about Women in food. We highly recommend her vegetarian catering – it’s simple and delicious! You can taste for yourself at the upcoming Yoga Brunch at Leftbank Leeds. Meanwhile, why not check out their blog!
(8) Award-winning Emmanuelle Metz, of Metz Cheesemonger at Sunny Bank Mills, who emphasises artisan cheese for superior taste and quality.
(9)Tanalans, led by Tanya Cusan, an occasional supper club, offers a delightful vegetarian supper club inspired by her Colombian roots—think empanadas, frijoles, and vibrant seasonal salads straight from her allotment!
(10) Julie Nutchie of Bilberry Bee has over 35 years experience in the food industry and grows organic fruits and veggies right from her garden.
(11) Maureen Wilkes, opened Maureen’s Caribbean Food in Harehills in 2003—a community treasure amidst shifting eateries serving authentic Caribbean cuisine.
(12) Dr Effie Papargyropoulou is pioneering research into sustainable food systems for global food security while respecting our planet’s limits.
There are many other brilliant women working in Leeds’ Food Scene. Who would you love to shine a light on? Let us know in the comments!