Is cooking a lost art?

Borough Market is opening its doors to the public with a series of brand new food debates delving into the some of the most important and relevant issues relating to food today.

The monthly panel events, taking place in the market’s Three Crown Square, will see some of the most respected names in the industry – including producers, traders, journalists and activists – discuss a variety of topics that are currently driving the news agenda and creating buzz in the UK food scene.

The series will launch on 30th June with Is Cooking a Lost Art? hosted by chef, food writer and broadcaster Sybil Kapoor. It will explore the nation’s relationship with cooking in the context of lifestyle and cultural change, raising questions about the risk of generation Z losing valuable knowledge and skills.

Other panelists include London historian Bee Wilson and Stephanie Wood from School Food Matters as well as journalist and presenter Rosie Birkett who will question if we’re fast becoming a nation of voyeurs and abandoning our role as active cooks.

The second debate, taking place in July, will ask What makes a good cookery writer? In a world dominated by Instagram, blogs, Twitter and the increasing digitalisation of content, is the face of cookery writing changing?

The Melting Pot – How London’s Food Scene Shapes What We Eat will follow in August, with restauranteurs, traders and trend experts discussing the fast-paced and ever changing food landscape in the capital, how that translates across the country and what is likely to be the next big foodie craze.

The final event, The Future of Food, which will take place in September and close the market’s year-long 1,000th anniversary celebrations, will look ahead and question what we’ll be eating in 50 years’ time – as well as how and where we’ll be doing it.

The debate will be led by Professor Tim Lang and will see other panelists cover wide-ranging topics from ultra-processed food to the shrinking retail environment and even alternative sources of protein.

• Is Cooking a Lost Art?, Tuesday 30th June, 7pm-9pm
• What Makes a Great Cookery Writer?, Tuesday 28th July, 7pm-9pm
• The melting pot, how London’s food scene shapes what we eat, Tuesday 25th August, 7pm-9pm
• The Future of Food, Tuesday 29th September, 7pm-9pm

Tickets cost £15 and are on sale now. Cover price includes entry to the debate, as well as food and drink tastings from Borough Market traders.