Food Studies Centre network event at SOAS
The SOAS Food Studies Centre was delighted to welcome some 120 people to their second Alumni Network Reunion on Saturday 11th April 2026.
Past and current MA Anthropology of Food students, along with the Centre’s PhD students and research associates, and interested members of the public came together for a full and lively day of presentations, discussions and workshops.
Intellectually stimulating, a supportive space for knowledge sharing and inspiration.
The best-selling food and culture writer Ruby Tandoh opened the day with a fascinating insight into the life of Antoine Brillat-Savarin. Participants then heard from MA alumni about their diverse career stories – from marketing craft beer to working for the Dept for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs – and from current and past PhD students about their research topics – including monastic food in France and creole gardening in Guadeloupe.
After time to socialise over lunch some then learnt what goes into ‘artisan’ bread at an interactive talk and tasting with alum and head baker Morgan Williams. Meanwhile others participated in an inspiring roundtable discussion on sustainability in the hospitality sector with speakers including the well-known activist and proprietor Geetie Singh-Watson, green Michelin-starred chef Chantelle Nicholson and Alumni Network members working in this important area.
A lovely reminder of the bits I most enjoyed about the MA experience.
The day also included the launch of the Food Studies Centre’s essay competition in partnership with Vittles magazine, at which delegates were able to quiz successful editors, journalists and writers including Friend of the Food Studies Centre, award-winning cookbook writer Irina Janakievska.
Delegates continued sharing news and ideas with old and new friends at an evening reception generously supported by the Five Points Brewing Company and Oliveology.
Thanks go to Food Studies Centre Chair Dr Lizzie Hull and Research Associate Dr Anna Colquhoun for organising and chairing the event, with support from Merryn Tully, Dr Nafsika Papacharalampous, Jo Huergo, Dr Pauline Harlay, Marie Launay-Smirnov and Clément Beauvarlet.
- The Food Studies Centre Alumni Network comprises the Centre’s MA alumni, current and past PhD students, and research associates. Those eligible to join can register here.
- The FSC & Vittles Essay Competition runs until 30th November 2026. More info here.
- The next Alumni Network Reunion event will be in 2028.
- Information about the MA Anthropology of Food programme can be found here.
Image of participants: Linshu Shen
