Member Toolkit

Guilds were formed in the Middle Ages to band together craftsmen and the professions to protect and support their members. The Guild of Food Writers may not have such a long history as The Worshipful Company of Drapers or indeed Tinsmiths but our function is much the same. 

You may have joined the Guild of Food Writers for recognition of your professional status or for networking opportunities – these are valid and sensible reasons – but there is much more on offer to members.

Take time to explore the Members’ Area of this website by logging into your own member area. You should find many of our member benefits listed in the new Member’s Area section of the main menu that appears once logged in. If you don’t know your username and password or you struggle with any aspect of your member area on the website, contact our Administrator, Kim Furnell. 

You will be able to consult The Pay Review Survey which is invaluable when pitching for work – it covers a very wide range of things which members might find themselves doing. Details of a free Tax Helpline available to members are listed there as is information on who to contact for information on insurance you may need if doing demonstrations, holding classes or catering. 
 
Whilst we currently do not have a specific arrangement with solicitors,  we do have an arrangement with a firm of accountants who can offer tax advice. Do email our Committee member for Member Services Ren in strictest confidence with any professional issues you may have.
 
The Guild regularly holds workshops which are not only about food but also to do with the business side of what we do – they may not sound as enticing as some but they are well worth investigating.  Are you registered with ALCS or PLR to receive your secondary royalties and monies from book loans? Did you realise you can earn money from articles you wrote up to five years ago? Want to know about self-publishing or pitching? There’s a workshop for those too and videos of previous workshops are available via the Guild’s YouTube channel.  
 
Do also consult the list of Member Discounts available – it could save you a chunk of money.
 
And those networking opportunities? We now offer a host of events both online and in-person ensuring that, no matter where you’re based, you can meet new friends and colleagues to share information.

And finally, please don’t forget to consult our FAQS for more information about your Guild membership, and everything we offer.