Thursday 24 July 2008 - British Library Sound Archive Visit

At 3.30pm at the British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB.
Nearest tubes: Euston, Kings Cross or St. Pancras.

Since 1998 the British Library Sound Archive (www.bl.uk) has been collecting oral history life story recordings with people involved in all aspects of food production in the UK. The collection includes interviews with farmers, retailers, manufacturers, restaurateurs and food writers and to date over 300 recordings have been archived at the British Library. This collection documents the many changes that have taken place in the food industry within living memory and is a valuable and unique resource.

During this session Polly Russell, Content Specialist at the British Library, will talk about how these recordings have been collected, play examples from the collections and reflect upon their value to current and future researchers. It promises to be a fascinating workshop. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served.

To book a place, please send a cheque for £5 for members plus £10 for any guest, made payable to the Guild of Food Writers to Jonathan Woods, Administrator, The Guild of Food Writers, 255 Kent House Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1JQ. Places can be provisionally reserved by emailing .

This event is only open to members of the Guild of Food Writers and their guests.

Tuesday 30 September 2008 - Annual Lecture Dinner

At Fishmongers' Hall, London Bridge, London EC4R 9EL
Nearest tube: Monument
Nearest station: London Bridge

The topic of of this year’s Guild of Food Writers Lecture Dinner is 'Sea Change' - the realities and problems of achieving sustainability. Our distinguished guest speakers are Callum Roberts, Professor of Marine Conservation at York University, and Dr Tom Pickerell, National Shellfish Development Officer.

The lecture will be followed by a dinner prepared by award-winning Executive Chef Stephen Pini, showcasing the finest sustainable fish and seafood from Britain.

The evening is generously sponsored by Waitrose.

Canapés and chilled Tio Pepe will be served in the Court Room overlooking the river from 6.15pm; the lecture will start at 7.00pm. There will be a question and answer session after the lecture, followed by dinner at 8.15pm.

Dinner will be served in the magnificent Banqueting Hall, followed by coffee in the Court Drawing Room, giving us an opportunity to view Annigoni's famous portrait of the Queen.

We hope that as many of you as possible will join us for what promises to be a unique occasion. Tickets for the lecture, drinks and dinner will be £40 for Guild members and £50 for guests. If you prefer to come for just the drinks/canapés and lecture and not stay for dinner, there will be a charge of £20 for Guild members and £25 for guests.

To book your places, please send a cheque for the correct amount, made payable to the Guild of Food Writers to Jonathan Woods, Administrator, The Guild of Food Writers, 255 Kent House Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1JQ. Places can be provisionally reserved by emailing .

This event is only open to members of the Guild of Food Writers and their guests.