In celebration of International Women’s Day, the focus of this episode of Qs Cast is Women Driving Change in Food & Drink. We recently launched the Women in Food & Drink Awards to recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of women across all levels of the food and beverage supply chain, with an aim to spotlight those shaping the future of a more diverse and inclusive sector. 

Today, our Marketing & Content Manager Ella Jackson is joined by 3 inspirational women from the world of food and drink:

✨Mex Ibrahim, Co-Founder of Women in the Food Industry ✨ Laura Emson, National Director of People at CAMRA and Advisory Board Member of Women On Tap ✨ Ayesha Kalaji, Chef Patron at Queen of Cups

To find out more information about the Women in Food & Drink Awards, and Women in the Food Industry, head over to the websites below:

✨ Women in the Food Industry: https://womeninthefoodindustry.com/

✨ Women in Food & Drink Awards: https://wifdawards.com/WIFDA26/en/page/home

And today, we’re not just talking about these flavours—we’re tasting them. In this special episode, we are joined by 4 of our expert judges; Sergey, Susan, Olivia and Ekta, live in the studio for a guided tasting of standout products from the Winnie’s range.

So settle in and get ready. This is a story of heritage, passion, and flavour without boundaries… and we can’t wait to share it with you.

Our latest episode of QsCast is hosted by the Quality Food Awards Brand Director, Beth Treleaven. In this episode, Beth is joined by Fiona Staunton - owner of Fiona's Food For Life and one of our longest-standing Irish Quality Food and Drink Awards judges.

In this episode Beth and Fiona discuss the menopause, in honour of Menopause Awareness Month, and how the symptoms of menopause can be alleviated through a healthy diet.

Fiona shares her personal experiences and her top tips on how, without making any radical lifestyle changes, women can make some simple, practical dietary changes to support their health during menopause.

Head over to the Quality Food Awards website to download your free Menu Planner download and three delicious, nutritional recipes to help you to get started on your own journey:

• Chocolate seed bar
• Lentil Salad
• Edamame, pea and mint salad

Our latest episode of QsCast is hosted by Chair of Judges Simon Wright. In this episode, Simon is joined by:

• Beth Treleaven: Director of the Quality Food Awards
• Ella Jackson: Marketing and Content Manager, Quality Food Awards
• Beth Jordan: Event Co-ordinator, Quality Food Awards

In this episode, the panel discuss one of the nation's favourite foods - chocolate.

As well as being Chair of Judges at the Quality Food Awards, Simon Wright oversaw the launch of Green & Black’s, including the UK’s first certified Fairtrade chocolate bar, Maya Gold. Simon is also a member of the Academy of Chocolate.

Join us as we explore five different types of chocolate:

1. M&S Madagascan vanilla White Chocolate | 30% cocoa 
2. M&S single origin Hazelnut Vegan Chocolate | 42% cocoa | Peru
3. Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate | 20% minimum cocoa
4. M&S single origin Dark Milk Chocolate | 54% coca | Dominican Republic
5. M&S single origin Dark Chocolate | 75% cocoa | Ecuador

Discover:

• The ingredients and processes that make these types of chocolate so different
• What to consider when buying chocolate
• How to assess the Quality of chocolate by its appearance, touch, snap, aroma, mouthfeel and aftertaste

You may wish to purchase these products and try them as you tune in! Please find the links below:

• M&S Madagascan vanilla White Chocolate
• M&S single origin Hazelnut Vegan Chocolate
• Cadbury's Dairy Milk Chocolate
• M&S single origin Dark Milk Chocolate
• M&S single origin Dark Chocolate

In our second episode of QsCast, Chair of Judges Simon Wright is joined by Charles Banks of thefoodpeople. Together they discuss what it means to be innovative in the ever-evolving UK food industry and what our judging panel look for when judging how innovative a food product is.

We are excited to introduce our brand new Innovation of the Year category. Throughout the judging process, all entries in this year's Qs will automatically be considered for this category. Our judges will identify our entrants' products that they consider to be particularly innovative and advance them to a final round of judging. The winner of this prestigious accolade will be announced at our awards ceremony in the Autumn.

Our first episode of QsCast is hosted by Chair of Judges Simon Wright. In this episode, Simon is joined by:

• Gavin Hands; Strategic Business Growth Specialist
• Anthony Hester; Food and Beverage Director
• Jonathan Richer; Meat and Ingredients Consultant
• Tara Taylor; Founder of award-winning Good Grain Bakery
• Dominic Weaver; Food & Drink Journalist

 In this episode, the panel discuss their inside tips and tricks on how to put together a Quality Food Awards entry that does your product justice.

Later in the episode, the panel share some of their favourite products from previous years and what they’re excited to see in this year’s judging.