Josh Eggleton Launches FŌDA, a new ‘Festival of Food Ideas’ at the Arnolfini in Bristol this September

FŌDA is a new ‘festival of food ideas’ taking place at the Arnolfini in Bristol this 27th-28th September. It incorporates an artisanal Producer Village along the quayside and the launch of The Pony Farm Bus. The finale is a symposium chaired by food writer Xanthe Clay and Roger Saul, with a line-up of expert speakers including Margot Henderson, Tomos Parry, The Newt, Our Farm by Simon Rogan, Gurdeep Loyal, Max La Manna, Alice Power, Yeo Valley and Cornish Sea Salt. Symposium tickets are now on sale.

The festival was founded by Josh Eggleton MBE and Shona Graham of Team Canteen. Josh is chef-owner of The Pony Group, with restaurants across Bristol and Somerset. Josh spearheads various charity and community projects, including Team Canteen with Shona Graham - a not-for-profit CIC supporting food banks and underrepresented communities in the city.

Josh first launched FŌDA as an industry event, but this year it opens to the public for the first time, at the iconic Arnolfini arts centre on Bristol’s harbourside. Josh was inspired by ‘Food on the Edge’ in Galway, Ireland - its founder JP McMahon will officially open FŌDA at the industry launch night on 26th September.

Tackling some of the big issues around food today - from health to regenerative farming and education - FŌDA will bring together industry professionals, leading experts, grassroot organisations and consumers. Ideas and inspiration will be shared through panel talks, workshops, exhibitions and an independent Producer Village along the waterfront.

Josh Eggleton: “I’ve always wanted to use the energy and culture that we have here in Bristol to create nationwide conversations around food. The aim of FŌDA is to challenge our perceptions of, and relationship with food, from how we source it to how we eat it. And crucially, how we pass this knowledge on to the next generations. My hope is that this will become an annual event providing the public with access to a broad range of experts at the top of their game; and that we’ll have some lively debate.”

Image - FŌDA festival

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