With International Women's Day just around the corner, why not celebrate women in the food industry at these events?
Picture: Eusebi Deli
Eusebi Deli will mark International Women’s Day on the 8th of March with two exclusive events with award-winning author, Anne Pia in aid of The Moira Anderson Foundation.
Eusebio, owned by Giovanna Eusebi, is a well-known Italian restaurant in the heart of the city’s West End. Everything is cooked on site, including their own pasta, which is made daily is the ‘pasta lab’, focaccia and sweet treats.
Picture: Dr Anne Pia
Anne Pia is an acclaimed Italian-Scottish author and poet. Her memoir, ‘Language Of My Choosing’ offers an insight into the Scottish Italian community over a 40 year period; the challenges of migration, immigration and the sad legacies of racism. Anne Pia’s book invites readers, like its writer, to tear up all the scripts society has written for them and find their own words.
The first event of the day will start with readings from Anne’s book, ‘Language of My Choosing’ followed by a question and answer session and discussion on the key themes of the book.
Following on from the readings, the second event will be a three-course dinner, starting at 6:30pm. Giovanna and Anne will host the dinner and the menu will showcase the Italian flavours of their culinary roots.
Both events will be held in aid of The Moira Anderson Foundation, a Scottish based charity supporting those affected by childhood sexual abuse. 10% of all ticket and book sales on the night will be donated to the charity.
Owner of Eusebi Deli, Giovanna Eusebi said: “We’re thrilled to have Anne Pia with us to mark International Women’s Day and to support the invaluable work of The Moira Anderson Foundation. Anne’s book, ‘A Language of My Choosing’ resonates strongly with so many of the Italian-Scottish community and we’re honoured to have her with us to mark this special day.”
The first event is complimentary and will take place from 4pm to 6pm and tickets must be reserved ahead of the event.
Tickets for the dinner are priced at £35 per person and can be booked by phoning Eusebi Deli on 0141 648 9999.
Picture: Julie Lin
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2019, the inaugural Scottish Women in the Food Industry event will bring together a diverse mix of female food and drink leaders and entrepreneurs to discuss the issues impacting women working in food-related careers in Scotland.
Hosted by Sound Bite PR in collaboration with London-based Women in the Food Industry, the first event, a panel discussion and networking afternoon will take place on Monday 4th March from 4pm – 6pm.
Jessica Sneddon, Director of Sound Bite PR said: “We are delighted to be launching Scottish Women in the Food Industry to celebrate the fantastic female talent working in the industry in Scotland. While we have plenty of examples of major success stories, there is still some way to go to overcome the challenges and barriers that women continue to face in their careers.
“Scottish Women in the Food Industry aims to provide a platform for women to come together, share their thoughts, discuss pertinent industry issues and celebrate their successes as we work towards an even brighter future for women working in Scotland’s vibrant and fast-evolving food industry.”
Chaired by Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, the panel will include Fiona Burrell, Principal, The New Town Cookery School; Sumayya Usmani, Cookbook Author, Food Educator and Broadcaster; Jack Mitchell, Director, TRUEfoods Ltd; Julie Swee Lin, Chef Patron, Julie's Kopitiam; and Dale MacPhee, General Manager, Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian.
Picture: Fiona Richmond
With a focus on the theme for International Women's Day 2019, #Balanceforbetter, a call-to-action for driving gender balance across the world, issues such as the gender pay gap, opportunities and challenges in the workplace and barriers to career progression will be explored.
The panel discussion will be followed by networking and refreshments, offering guests and speakers the opportunity to mingle, make connections and discuss the topics raised during the panel discussion.
Julie Swee Lin, Chef Patron, Julie's Kopitiam added: “I'm honoured to be a panellist this year for Scottish Women in The Food Industry.
"Cooking is something that has been extremely close to my heart from a young age. Not only is it a passion but it's a medium in which I'm able to connect with my Malaysian heritage and learn more about my mother's background.
:It's this passion which has brought me to open a restaurant and allowed me to work with some of the most inspirational women in the food industry. We work every day in order to combat machoism within kitchens and squash the acceptance of daily sexism in the industry.”
The event is free to attend with an optional donation to Smartworks Edinburgh, which provides styling advice, high-quality interview clothes and interview training to women looking for work.
Women in the Food Industry Scotland is open to anyone working in the food, drink and hospitality industry or anyone with an interest in the subject.
