Academy sessions to boost region’s independent food and drink scene

The Independent Food and Drink Academy (IFDA) – a joint venture run by Leeds Beckett University and Leeds City Council (LCC), and supported by Leeds Business Improvement District (LeedsBID) - was launched in April. It provides advice, support, training and exclusive events to independent enterprises, from street food traders to established businesses, who become members.

On Thursday 8 December between 6pm-8.30pm, members will have the opportunity to celebrate the IFDA’s first Christmas with an event co-hosted by North Brewing Co, at their Brewery Tap in Sheepscar Grove, Leeds.

‘Managing business growth: from bars to brewery’ will include a talk from the brewery’s Co-Director Christian Townsley, as well as a brewery tour. Food will be provided by the IFDA’s Pizza Loco.

Charlotte Nutland, part of the IFDA team at Leeds Beckett, said: “Our member events are for businesses in the region who are looking to meet business advisors who can share their expertise, network with like-minded businesses and gain insights into the food and drink scene. This is a completely unique opportunity to gain contextualised business support.

“This week alone we’ve had some brilliant events for our members, and there are more in coming weeks and the New Year. It’s not too late for further independent food traders to become academy members and reap the benefits of our sessions.”

Events this month have included an evening with street food café owners Mylinh and Sengy of venue Banh & Mee, located in Kirkgate Market. The duo hosted the session ‘From China to Vietnam – Banh & Mee Foodpreneurs’ at their café premises. Members heard how, after years of working in the world of Asian restaurants in a family business, the pair’s venture into Viet street food has evolved from their passion.

On Tuesday (15 November) the IFDA ran their very first Business Health Check speed dating.

Charlotte commented: “The concept of this exciting event was to give businesses access to a range of professional business advisors who brought a broad range of experience and expertise on: food and drink, fast moving consumer goods, start-ups, funding, marketing and branding and finance.

“Members brought their business plans with them and spent up to 20 minutes with each advisor talking through their plan. Feedback from the session was excellent and we’ll definitely be running further like it in the near future. All 100% of our members who attended agreed that they found our business advisors engaging and knowledgeable in their business area, and also that their expectations of the event were met.”