“Borough Talks” series returns with stellar line up of celebrity chefs and foodies

After a sell-out season in 2015, Borough Market will once again host its Borough Talks series from May to September, connecting London foodies with their food heroes and debating some of the industry’s biggest issues.

The talks boast a line-up of giants of the food world, including food stylist and writer Olia Hercules and writer, journalist and broadcaster Jay Rayner, alongside some of its newest virtuosos. New for 2016 is the In Conversation series, where two of the UK’s biggest food stars, revered cookery writer Claudia Roden and giant of the British restaurant scene Pierre Koffmann, will each spend an evening on stage delving deep into their experiences of the international food scene.

Keith Davis, managing director, Borough Market, said: “As London’s oldest food market, we have always been a place where people come together to connect over food. These talks give us a chance to engage with visitors on a deeper level and discuss the wider topics that impact the food landscape around us. The talks also give people an opportunity to hear from innovators and thought leaders in the industry, up close, in a wonderful, intimate setting.”

Details of events:

Tuesday 10 May 2016, 7pm – 9pm
You are what you eat: what shapes our food choices?
The first of six events, You are what you eat: what shapes our food choices? will feature a panel discussion about the influence of advertising, design, nostalgia, family traditions and self-images on our culinary choices. Moderated by chef, food writer and author Sybil Kapoor, the panel will include Bee Wilson, food writer, historian and contributor to The Guardian and The New York Times; Olia Hercules, author of the acclaimed book Mamushka; award winning food photographer Patrice De Villiers and Michelin-starred chef James Lowe of Lyle’s Shoreditch fame.

Tuesday 7 June 2016, 7pm – 9pm
The secrets of a successful food start-up
Attendees will get exclusive tips and tricks about how to start the next big culinary sensation from some of the industry’s most successful food entrepreneurs at The secrets of a successful food start-up. Panellists Jenny Costa, founder of Rubies in the Rubble; Bonnie Chung, founder of Miso Tasty, former food blogger and secret supper club pioneer; Jordan Frieda, co-owner of London restaurants Trullo and Padella and Claire Ptak, owner of east London bakery Violet, will talk about what it takes to create a successful food business in modern Britain.

Tuesday 14 June & Tuesday 28 June 2016, 7pm – 9pm
In Conversation
On 14th June, cookbook writer and cultural anthropologist Claudia Roden will sit down with Boyd Tonkin, senior writer at The Independent, to give the audience a glimpse into her life as a pioneering food writer, and the role she has played in revolutionising Western attitudes towards other cuisines.

Come 28th June, Michelin-starred chef Pierre Koffmann will share stories from his 50 years working in the industry with Bloomberg’s chief food critic, Richard Vines. Audiences will get a taste of Koffmann’s life as a young chef in Strasbourg and Toulon before he went on to open La Tante Claire, launching his meteoric career in London.

Tuesday 5 July 2016, 7pm – 9pm
Coming together: can food be a force for change?
The role of food as a catalyst for social change will be debated at Coming together: can food be a force for change? Tristram Stuart, campaigner, author and founder of Feedback will be joined by Rosie Boycott, Chair of the London Food Board and food advisor to the Mayor of London, Arthur Kay, designer, entrepreneur and founder of Bio-bean, and Roberta Siao, the Brazilian chef who oversees pop-up restaurant and social enterprise Mazi Mas. Questions will focus on whether a shared love of food can transform lives and regenerate communities.

Tuesday 20 September 2016, 7pm – 9pm
Pariahs to pioneers: the changing face of British food
The final talk in the