About

FŌDA is a two-day festival for small-scale food & drink suppliers from the South West.

There will be panel discussions, interactive discussions, specialised workshops, networking opportunities, and showcase the best food and drink the UK has to offer, celebrating localism. 

Symposium of Talks

The main element of the festival is a symposium on Sunday 28th September, with four panel talks chaired by food writer Xanthe Clay and Sharpham Park (ex-Mulberry) founder Roger Saul. Tickets are now on sale via the FŌDA website, as either half-day or full-day sessions.

The intention of the talks isn’t to get answers but to ask questions - and encourage delegates to challenge what and how they eat, and where they source their food from. The talks will be followed by Q&As with lively discussion and debate encouraged.

SALT: Discussing the effect of salt in our cooking and in our bodies with Philip Tanswell, Cornish Sea Salt; Ash Rampura, neuroscientist; Gurdeep Loyal, food writer; Josh Eggleton, chef. Josh will also be leading a salt tasting workshop.

FAT: Debating and debunking different types of fat with Margot Henderson, chef; Tomos Parry, chef; Tom Calver, Westcombe Dairy; Kalpna Woolf, food writer and High Sheriff of Bristol.

ACID: Farming without chemicals - regenerative vs organic with Yeo Valley; David Rowley, Head of Productive Growing, The Newt; Liam Fitzpatrick, Farm Head Chef, Our Farm by Simon Rogan.

SWEET: How communities and groups can incite change with Max La Manna, chef and campaigner; Tom Herbert, founder The Long Table; Emma Hopkins, Mother’s Manifesto; Josh Eggleton, chef; Eleni Morus, Bristol North West Food Bank; Natalia Middleton, Food Behind Bars.

What's on Over the Weekend

Producer Village

Throughout the weekend, visitors can visit the FŌDA Producer Village - a representation of localism in the form of an old-fashioned market, celebrating the best Bristol and southwest producers. There will be artisan makers to discover including cheeses, wine, local spirits and produce. At the centre will be a BBQ with The Pony chefs serving food to takeaway, plus samosas by 91 Ways and pasta by the Square Food Foundation.

The Pony Farm Bus

Making its debut at FŌDA, The Pony Farm Bus is an interactive learning centre converted from a vintage double decker bus, complete with hydroponic growing, a demo kitchen and library of resources. With access to food education remaining a challenge around the UK, The Pony Farm Bus aims to drive nationwide understanding of how our food is grown, in a playful and engaging way. The Pony’s intention is to visit community groups and schools around the UK in 2026 - bookings are now open with no charge for schools or charities. At FŌDA, the bus will host pizza and pasta making workshops to engage children with learning about food.

Sourdough Workshops

Dr Vanessa Kimbell, a professional baker and leading expert in nutritional bread, will be hosting sourdough workshops. The sourdough loaf will serve as a symbol and talking point for positive approaches to health and cooking, and the need for greater transparency around mass produced foods.

Food & Art Exhibitions and Workshops

In line with the Arnolfini’s cultural output, there will be exhibitions within the centre itself, including John Carey’s ‘Chefs in Lockdown’ exhibition; ‘We Feed the UK’ - portraits of radical-minded folk behind the regenerative farming movement; and food-themed Family Art Workshops, including vegetable printing and traditional Japanese Gyotaku.

Schedule of Events

Saturday 27th September, 10am - 4pm

• Producer Village around the quayside

• Food & Art Workshops

• Food & Art exhibitions

• Sourdough Workshops (12pm-4pm)

• The Pony Farm Bus

Screenings Sunday 28th September, 10am-6pm

• Producer Village around the quayside

• Food & Art Workshops

• Food & Art exhibitions

• The Pony Farm Bus • Screenings

• SYMPOSIUM PANEL TALKS: Salt, 10am / Fat, 12pm / Acid, 2.30pm / Sweet, 4.30pm

Key Information

Dates: Saturday 27th - Sunday 28th September 2025

Address: Arnolfini Arts, 16 Narrow Quay, Bristol BS1 4QA

Booking: The main activities across the weekend are free to attend, with no booking required. Sunday’s Symposium is a ticketed event. Tickets for the symposium are now on sale and can be bought for either a half-day session (2 x talks) at £45pp, including breakfast or lunch by The Pony; or a full-day session (4 x talks) at £85pp, including breakfast and lunch by The Pony.

Website: www.fodafestival.com

Instagram: @foda.festival