Through lively presentations and Q&A sessions, you’ll learn about everything from funding a startup to hiring staff and building an engaging story for your brand. The day is an incredible opportunity to learn first-hand from leading Young British Foodies, as well as a great chance to network with people who share your passion for food and drink.

Content

• Head chef Tomos Parry, winner of the Young British Foodie Chef of the Year Award in 2014, shares practical advice on the differences between running a pop-up and opening a restaurant, while giving tips on making the most of the London food scene

• Dana Elemara, founder of food and cosmetics business Arganic, offers expert guidance on how to grow a business organically without outside investment, as well as tips on developing a brand story and gaining press coverage

• Street food vendor Mark Gevaux, aka “The Rib Man”, gives practical advice on getting started in the street food industry – from how to find a great place to trade to how to promote your business on social media

• Tom Gosnell, founder of Gosnells London Mead, shares advice on how to refine your big idea for a food business, plus tips on setting up a team and funding your startup

About the Young British Foodie awards

Now in its fifth year, the YBF awards celebrate new talent in the UK food and drinks industry, and culminate in a dazzling awards night catered by some of the UK’s finest chefs, bakers and producers. Over the years, judges have included world-renowned chef Yotam Ottolenghi, Guardian restaurant critic Marina O’Loughlin, KERB founder Petra Barran, and Justin Gellatly, the star baker who created St John Bakery.

This masterclass takes place ahead of this year’s YBFs. Nominations will be open shortly, keep an eye on their website for more details, the-ybfs.com

Host profile

Lily Jones is one of the co-founders of the YBFs and the owner of the popular cupcake business Lily Vanilli. Since starting up her business from her kitchen in Hackney, she’s opened concessions at Harrods and Selfridges, and worked with clients including Elton John, Vogue, Hello Kitty and Downing Street. Find Lily Vanilli on Twitter here.

Speaker profiles

Tomos Parry is head chef of Kitty Fisher’s restaurant in Mayfair, and the winner of the Young British Foodie Chef of the Year Award 2014. Kitty Fisher’s has been featured as one of Time Out’s Top 10 Best Restaurants, and was ranked 16th in the UK at the National Restaurant Awards. Tomos has published recipes and articles for Observer Food Monthly, The Sunday Times magazine and Stylist. He tweets@Tomos_PP.

Tom Gosnell is the founder of London’s only meadery, Gosnells London Mead. Before starting up Gosnells, he worked in strategy roles at Virgin Media and for consultants LEK. It was while working a nine to five job that he developed the recipe for his mead and set up the company. Find Gosnells London Mead on Twitter here.

Dana Elemara left a well-paid career at Goldsman Saches to start something meaningful. Arganic is a consciously minded company based in Shoreditch that supplies argan oil to the food and cosmetic industries. Launched four years ago, Arganic is stocked internationally, and works with the likes of Marks and Spencer, Selfridges and Ottolenghi. Find Arganic on Twitter here.

Mark Gevaux is a butcher and London street food vendor, known for making some of the best ribs in the capital. The Rib Man runs at Brick Lane market every Sunday. He tweets @theribman.