Announcing Sheila Dillon, our 2025 seminar series keynote speaker

Sheila Dillon, the much-loved and hugely appreciated presenter of The Food Programme on BBC Radio 4, has agreed to open our 2025 Seminar Series ‘Liverpool’s Food Culture – have we got one?’ Sheila, who is from Hoghton, near Chorley, Lancashire, has been working on the nation’s food profile at the BBC for over 20 years. She started her food journalism in the USA as editor at New York’s the Food Monitor magazine. Sheila is also the host of the BBC Food and Farming Awards.

On Thursday 2nd October, at the Cunard Building, home of Liverpool City Council, Sheila will answer our provocative opening question: “The Food System in the UK – how good is it?” We want to commence our journey into food sustainability in the Liverpool City Region by putting our local situation into the wider national context.

In the second seminar, on 16th October, we will explore farming in the region and where the food goes that we grow, and the final seminar, on 30th October, will bring the discussion right into our own domestic kitchens and the restaurants and cafes where we choose to eat.

We are very pleased that the first seminar is being hosted by Liverpool City Council and supported by our Waterfront and City Centre Neighbourhood Manager Gary O’Rourke. We will make sure we invite personally anyone with responsibility for food in the city and the region. We want to ensure our series provokes a wide and inclusive discussion so that Engage and local residents can contribute to improving our food and nutrition offer.

We’re sure you’ll agree that Sheila will be a fabulous opening speaker to kick-off the series and if you have only heard her on Radio 4 then you must come and meet her in person whilst she is with us in Liverpool.

Want to hear more? Join our seminar!

You can find out more about the our 2025 seminar series here, and book tickets for each seminar via the buttons below:

SEMINAR ONE: The Food System in the UK – how good is it?

With local food producers, and a keynote from Sheila Dillon, BBC Radio 4 presenter The Food Programme and BBC Food and Farming Awards.

SEMINAR TWO: Farm to Fork – is our food journey sustainable?

With local food producers, and a keynote from Chris Walsh and Helen Woodcock of Kindling Farm, Prescot L35

SEMINAR THREE: Food Home and Away – are we making the best decisions?

With local food producers, and a keynote from Lucy Antal, Feedback Global Senior Project Manager Regional Food Economy and Lead for Food Justice; Director Alchemic Kitchen CIC; BBC Food and Farming Awards, Community Food Champion 2021