Andi Oliver is a renowned British chef, broadcaster, and former musician. Initially gaining fame in the 1980s with the band Rip Rig + Panic, she transitioned to television in the 1990s, hosting shows and covering major events.

Oliver has built a successful culinary career, running restaurants and establishing "Wadadli Kitchen" for Caribbean cuisine. She's widely known for hosting BBC's Great British Menu and appearing on Saturday Kitchen.

Her cookbook, The Pepperpot Diaries, was released in 2023, celebrating her Caribbean heritage through food.

Christarose Maphosa is a Food Technologist and Innovation Buying Manager at Tesco, with prior experience at Nestle and Pladis Global. She holds a First Class degree in Food Science and Nutrition and is recognized as an influential leader in the food industry.

Maphosa has been instrumental in bringing diverse products to market, including the UK's first boneless raw mackerel at Tesco. She is passionate about sustainability, quality, and nutrition in food, with a focus on impacting large populations.

She is also a co-chair of Tesco's Race & Ethnicity Network.

Known for her flavorful and accessible plant-based recipes inspired by her Caribbean and West African heritage, Rachel gained prominence through her popular YouTube channel, launched in 2017.

She has authored two bestselling cookbooks, "Rachel Ama's Vegan Eats" and "One Pot: Three Ways," and was named a 2019 rising star of the food scene by The Observer.

Gbemi Shitta is the award-winning Founder and CEO of SweetDoughThings, an innovative confectionery company specialising in vegan, sugar-free, and allergen-free sweet treats.

As the UK's first manufacturer of vegan, sugar-free candy floss, she exports globally, with exports accounting for 80% of turnover since starting in 2021. Gbemi, with a background in Law, also serves as an FSB South London Area Lead, advocating for small businesses.

Dawn Burton is a respected foodpreneur with over 30 years in the food, catering, and hospitality industry.

She co-founded the UK Caribbean Food Awards, celebrating top Caribbean food and drink businesses.

As owner of Caribburton Caterers, Dawn actively promotes and supports the vibrant UK Caribbean food sector through these ventures and the Caribbean Food Collective.

Marsha Barnett is a co-founder of the UK Caribbean Food Awards, a significant event established to celebrate and recognize outstanding Caribbean food and drink businesses across the UK. She also runs her own catering business, JerkShack.

Recognizing a need for greater support and networking within the industry, Marsha, alongside Dawn Burton, played an integral part in setting up the Caribbean Food Collective, which aims to promote, connect, and support UK-based Caribbean food and drink businesses.

James Cochran is an acclaimed British chef and restaurateur, celebrated for his innovative cuisine blending Vincentian and Scottish heritage.

He trained at esteemed establishments like The Ledbury, earning recognition as the "Champion of Champions" on BBC's Great British Menu in 2018.

James sells his scotch bonnet jam in supermarkets around the country. In addition, he is a keen advocate of using goat meat, working closely with goat supplier Cabrito to help spread awareness of goat as a sustainable food source.

Joana Yeboah-Acheampong is the visionary founder of Aftrad Village Kitchen, a renowned brand celebrated for its authentic Ghanaian cuisine and innovative Afro-fusion dishes.

Driven by a passion to share the rich culinary heritage of West Africa, Joana has successfully grown Aftrad Village Kitchen into a beloved establishment.

Her commitment to traditional flavours, combined with a modern approach, has earned her widespread recognition within the food industry and a loyal following among customers.

Shirley White is the visionary founder of OTC Beverages, a multi-award-winning brand of non-alcoholic drinks.

Launched in 2018, the company offers premium beverages like ginger beer and sorrel, rooted in traditional Caribbean flavours. Inspired by her father's 80th birthday and a desire to preserve cultural culinary legacies, Shirley left a career in financial services to create OTC.

Her brand focuses on natural, high-quality ingredients, aiming for global reach while honoring heritage.