MEET OUR JUDGES

Rozz Algar is a highly experienced business and marketing consultant with over 30 years’ experience helping organisations achieve market-leading positions. She began her career at Saatchi & Saatchi, managing major retail accounts including Sainsbury’s, before leading marketing functions for national brands, including the UK’s largest farming cooperative. Rozz has also run her own brand and organisational development consultancy, supporting businesses from startups to FTSE 100 companies. A Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, she specialises in brand strategy, business growth, and delivering practical, insight-led solutions that drive measurable and sustainable commercial success.

Louise has worked in the food & drink industry since graduating, gaining experience across hospitality, contract catering and events, e-commerce and now in a commercial role for Müller. She currently works closely with retailers to develop growth strategies and drive category performance. This varied background gives her a well-rounded perspective on the industry, from front-of-house operations to commercial decision making. With experience spanning multiple parts of the supply chain, Louise brings broad industry knowledge shaped by both customer-facing and strategic roles.

I’m an entrepreneur, presenter, and micro-investor passionate about empowering women-led ventures. As a Director of Heriots Patisserie, I built the brand into a multi-million turnover business spanning e-commerce, retail, and production. Alongside my business ventures, I’ve invested in and mentored women led start-ups with a focus on sustainability, innovation, and social impact. My work bridges food, culture, and community, and I continue to champion representation and inclusion across the food and drink sector.

Dr. Lilla Bessenyei graduated in Pharmacy in 2016 and has since specialised in Holistic Health, Superfoods, and Nootropics. With extensive experience in Sports Recovery and functional nutrition, she has spent the past four years focusing on the food and drinks industry. Collaborating with Brand Relations and now Branding Innovations, she works closely with emerging and established brands in the functional and wellness sectors, including SpaceGoods, VitClear, and Carouse. Passionate about evidence-based innovation, Dr. Lilla also serves as a judge for the Quality Food Awards, recognising excellence and progress in the industry for the past three years.

Martha runs Sound Bite PR, a marketing agency that focuses exclusively on food, drink and hospitality. Starting her career within international marketing at Scotland’s national tourist board, Martha has gone onto work with businesses of all sizes from largescale distillers and artisan food producers; to retailers, restaurants and hotels. For many years she ran regional food group, Food from Fife, bringing together stakeholders from across the supply chain and tapping into Scotland’s national food policy. Along with her business partner, Jessica Sneddon, she has been named as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in Hospitality by Code Hospitality.

Highly experienced business mentor specialising in the food industry, with over 30 years’ expertise covering food manufacturing and retailing. After graduating in Food Science Jo worked with Unilever, Sainsbury’s, and an independent family business. Following successful completion of an MBA, she spent many rewarding years at Bettys and Taylors, working as Operations and Change Director. Now, Jo runs her own consultancy, guiding food businesses through strategic growth, business improvement and operational excellence. She is also a part-time Lecturer at Leeds Business School and a volunteer mentor for charities. She is dedicated to empowering business owners and their teams to realize their full potential and has been fortunate to work with, and support, many inspiring female food entrepreneurs.

Margaret Dineen is the CEO and Founder of Irish Food Trade Connect, an innovative trading platform dedicated to supporting the growth and scale of food and drink businesses. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Margaret is passionate about helping companies trade profitably both domestically and internationally. She is a strong advocate for gender equality at the boardroom table, where, as of 2025, 27.9% of board members in large Irish enterprises are women and 22% in SMEs. Margaret believes that women's skillsets are pivotal at the strategic level, and she inspires the next generation of women in food and drink to pursue their ambitions.

Ruth Dolby’s 40 years+ career in the food & drink industry has revolved around kitchens, test kitchens, factories and boardrooms. Spanned food service, manufacturing, retail [selection, development and auditing], freelance food developer/ project lead and 10 years ago co-founded heading up Food Science Fusion. Ruth is a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science & Technology; is passionate about developing new innovative ingredients and products; learning and knowledge exchange. She has built a company that offers a blend of practical development for innovation application where culinary and food science meet commerciality. The Food & Drink Industry is at a stage where great responsibility and opportunity are merging as key drivers for best practice: health & safety, nutrition & diet, sustainability & affordability. If it is not eaten it is not nutritious; if it is not sold and paid for it is into commercial and if it is wasted, it is bad for the planet.

Jen launched Chocolate Tours in London in 2005, alongside writing restaurant reviews and working in marketing. In 2008 she started work as a Buyer for M&S, eventually moving into New Product Development for McDonalds UK. She has now been leading tours and chocolate tastings for over 20 years, expanding into Ice Cream, Baked Goods and Patisserie, plus bespoke tours for tourists, locals, companies for entertaining clients, and for retailers looking at trends. She continues to write a weekly newsletter called The Next Delicious Thing, judge chocolate and general food awards, consult on food innovation, and host events.

With a strong foundation in hospitality, beginning my career in my family run Public House I went on to run my own pub and a catering franchise in a busy Golf club. I then went on to become Head Chef for Priory Hospital, honing my skills in high-standard catering for healthcare. Transitioning into Sales, I’ve since built a successful commercial career in the varied world of Foodservice. I’m now Head of Sales at Elite Fine Foods- a premier foodservice provider in the Southeast. I lead a dynamic team focused on delivering exceptional products and tailored food solutions to chefs and businesses across the region.

Helena has worked over three decades in food and drink development and manufacturing for companies including Marks & Spencer, Greencore, Domino’s and now Sainsbury’s. She has been responsible for market-leading product ranges and innovation across a broad spread of categories and is a previous Gold Q award winner. Helena has in-depth experience of prepared foods for both in and out the home, with expert knowledge across both health and ethnic foods. She has also worked on the manufacturing side, giving her a truly holistic understanding of the end-to-end process of bringing a product proposition to market. Additionally, Helena has worked as a Product Development Consultant in the drinks sector including the no and low category and the foodservice industry with Domino’s, and on the team of panelists for F&D Reviews. As a core team member of Sainsbury’s DEI team, Helena is a strong promoter of diversity and a believer that inclusivity in the industry results in better food, stronger businesses, and a more resilient food system for everyone.

With over 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, I have built a career specialising in flavour and flavour ingredients across a wide range of market sectors including savoury (food coatings and marinades), snack seasonings, beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), confectionery, and dairy. My extensive background in New Product Development (NPD) has equipped me with a diverse and adaptable skill set, allowing me to thrive in dynamic environments where no two days are the same; whether collaborating on customer projects, creating presentations, exploring emerging trends and keeping up to date with changing food guidelines, providing solutions to customer projects and becoming a trusted advisor.

Seeing a product that I have worked on appear on a supermarket shelf is a moment of pride and fulfilment, knowing I played a part in its journey. My passion for food and drink extends beyond the workplace; I enjoy discovering new product launches, reading food magazines, and indulging in culinary shows like MasterChef and The Great British Bake Off.

A highlight of my career is my role as a judge for the Quality Food Awards for the past four years. This role has allowed me to engage with cutting-edge innovation, evaluate products on taste, texture, and other criteria, and connect with inspiring peers across the industry.

As a woman in food, I’m proud to have raised two children—half of that time as a single mum—while maintaining a fulfilling career. I strive to be a role model to them and am incredibly proud of the young adults they are becoming. Balancing work and family life has helped me develop strong organisational and interpersonal skills that continue to serve me well. Eating and drinking for a living what more is there to love?"

Karen Green is a UK grocery and food sales expert, who works with food and drink companies to enable them to launch into the UK market. She is a former grocery buyer for industry giants Tesco and Boots and, for the last 10 years, she has been helping companies achieve profitable sales growth through consultancy, coaching and key note speaking. Karen is the author of two best selling books, Recipe for Success and Buyerology. Alongside her client work, she is currently studying for a Masters in World Food in Italy.

I’m a communication and people specialist with a career rooted in food, drink and languages. Over the past five years, I’ve worked closely with founders and senior leaders across fast-paced Scottish SMEs. I’m currently People Lead at Beer52 and Eebria, where I support dynamic growing teams and help shape positive workplace cultures. Originally from Ireland and now based in Scotland, my background includes several years in the coffee industry and working with one of Scotland’s largest bakery businesses. As someone who is multilingual and trained in business communication, I’m forever curious about the people who make a business what it is, and am endlessly inspired by those who bring great food and drink to life.

Mex Ibrahim is a passionate advocate for gender equality and co-founded Women in the Food Industry in 2019, now a non-profit, championing inclusion, leadership, and empowerment across the sector. With expertise in sustainability, entrepreneurship, and ethical eating, Mex is a trustee of the charity School Food Matters, a member of The Guild of Food Writers, and serves on the advisory board of New Food Magazine. She also runs a successful digital strategy business and was named Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion at the 2025 Speciality & Fine Food Fair Awards.

Jenny is a farmer’s wife living on a regenerative family farm in South Cambridgeshire and is a Food Columnist writing for Country & Town House, the Cambridge Independent and Rural Life magazine. Jenny is an award-winning Author, a Producer and a Campaigner, who co-founded #Fish24; the first national 24hr social media campaign highlighting and celebrating the British fish and seafood industry. Jenny is also an Ambassador for Love British Food and The Country Trust, and is a member of The Guild of Food Writers and The British Guild of Agricultural Journalists.

Lisa Kerr MCIM works in Product Management & Innovations at Puratos, shaping strategies for better food solutions. With sixteen years in food and drink across the UK and internationally, in B2B and B2C, she uses consumer insights to spot opportunities and turn ideas into market ready products. Lisa blends creativity with disciplined delivery, translating trends into action to solve customer challenges and support brand value. Committed to responsible innovation, she brings sustainability into the mix where it strengthens outcomes and meets evolving consumer needs.

Aida Khan is a London-based restaurateur, chef and creative director best known for founding Shola – Karachi Kitchen, a Pakistani, South Asian, female-led hospitality brand founded in 2019. Her professional journey in food spans nearly two decades, beginning with food television and cultural storytelling in Pakistan, followed by formal culinary training in London in 2016 and extensive experience across restaurants, events, catering and media. Aida has led operations across restaurant concepts, pop-ups, large-scale catering and hospitality collaborations, including culinary partnerships with Soho House London. She has collaborated with global brands including Disney, Netflix and L’Oréal, and her work has been featured on ITV’s Lorraine, John & Lisa’s Kitchen, BBC Good Food and Food & Travel Magazine. Alongside her commercial work, Aida actively supports emerging leaders in food and is developing community-focused initiatives centred on skills and access.

I am an Award Winning Irish Food Blogger and self taught Photographer, Food stylist and content creator. I started sharing my passion for food through my recipes back in 2017 on my blog, Soulful And Healthy and it gained quite a following from people who enjoyed trying my recipes and new dish ideas.

I was born and raised in Bangalore, Southern India, I moved to Dublin in 2012 after my marriage. Being the foodie that I have always been from my childhood, I created my blog to share simple, easy recipes after I became a Mum, as I wanted to do something for myself. As my blog gained popularity, it went on to win The Best Irish Blog Award in the UK in 2018.

As my creations gained attention, I decided to become a Food Photographer and Food Stylist, and I have worked with many Irish food brands and Irish producers. Now my recipes are published in many leading publications like The Irish Times, The Taste, The Journal and many such magazines and newspapers both local and International. I had the opportunity to become the Brand Ambassador for Kenwood World, where I shared my recipes and photos along with many top famous chefs. I have been interviewed by RSVP magazine and The Independent where I had the opportunity to share my journey. I have also worked with some of the most popular restaurants in Dublin as a Photographer and Stylist. Since my family expanded we moved to Wexford, a beautiful seaside town and I still continue to share my passion for food through videos and I still enjoy photo shoots with local food trucks.

Lucy Matthewson is an International Trade Consultant with over 25 years’ experience across the food, drink and fresh produce supply chain. Having spent much of her career as a senior buyer for leading UK retailers including Waitrose & Partners and Fortnum & Mason, she brings deep, practical insight into how products succeed on shelf: From quality, provenance and sustainability to pricing, logistics and compliance. Lucy now works internationally with food and horticulture SMEs, helping them access UK and European markets through export readiness, buyer engagement and market intelligence. Her work bridges commercial reality with inclusive, sustainable global trade.

I am a passionate foodie whose world revolves around writing, photographing, tasting, judging, cooking and eating great food, often through the lens of an Instagram story. After completing a Diploma in Food and Wine at Leiths School of Food and Wine. I founded a London catering company, celebrated for fresh, Middle Eastern‑inspired dishes shaped by my years in the region. A Diploma in Food Journalism propelled me into writing about the culinary cultures of the Middle East. My books include The Galilean Kitchen and Freekeh, Wild Wheat & Ancient Grains, with Nourishing the Jewish Soul due to be published this autumn. I am a Great Taste judge and author of the Substack newsletter Cultural Bites delving into the culinary culture of my heritage and the eclectic flavours of a region shaped by generations of women and the ancient landscape that continues to influence its food traditions.

Maja Novak is a serial entrepreneur and certified sensory professional with extensive international experience in specialty coffee and food & beverage innovation. She founded and successfully scaled Space Cup, a globally recognized, design-driven specialty coffee brand celebrated for innovation, sustainability, and industry education programs, later acquired by a leading hospitality group. A long-standing member of the Specialty Coffee Association, International Women’s Coffee Alliance (US Chapter), Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, and Les Dames d’Escoffier, Maja is an experienced judge across global industry competitions. She is also an author at The Perfect Daily Grind, contributing to research and knowledge advancement in specialty coffee.

Gráinne O’Hogan is Chief People Officer at Sprout & Co, a fast-growing Irish food company on a mission to serve delicious food that makes people happy. She is as a team leader and community builder focussed on the intersection of people, culture, and social impact, with previous roles at Social Entrepreneurs Ireland, University College Dublin, and the London Symphony Orchestra. Gráinne holds postgraduate qualifications in cultural policy and philanthropy, has published research on employment pathways in Ireland’s national cultural institutions, and serves on the board Harp Ireland. In 2024, she launched the Irish chapter of Pitch a Friend, a global community event connecting people through friendship and powerpoint.

Dee is an Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant working with senior leaders in high-pressure roles, helping them thrive instead of burning out. She brings extensive experience from the food industry, spanning retail, manufacturing, start-ups and global food-tech organisations, including HelloFresh. Her background includes senior roles across strategy, innovation, and leading in fast-paced, complex environments. Now, Dee helps leaders achieve sustainable high performance by shifting how they think, feel and show up, not just what they do. Her work supports leaders to build resilience, engage teams and deliver long-term business results.

Leisa Pickles is the founder of Find Me The Leads, a specialist consultancy supporting food and drink producers to build effective routes to market within speciality retail. She brings a sector-wide perspective shaped by close collaboration with producers, farm shops, delis and independent retailers across the UK. Leisa helps founders develop confident sales outreach strategies, test opportunities and build sustainable retail relationships. She is known for her straight-talking, supportive approach and for championing early-stage food and drink businesses as they navigate the challenges of retail growth. Leisa is committed to supporting women-led enterprises across the sector.

Elit Rowland is the founder of Women in Wholesale and was recognised by The Grocer as one of the Most Influential Women in Wholesale. With more than a decade at JJ Foodservice, she’s passionate about food, inclusion, and helping women thrive across the supply chain.

AJ Sharp is a food commentator, broadcaster, and entrepreneur. She founded award-winning agency SHARP Relations, a communications consultancy specialising in food and drink. She's passionate about helping good people grow great food brands, and has built her career championing innovation, authenticity, and positive change across the sector.

She’s also the host of the Food Rebels the podcast and radio show with 130,000 weekly listeners, where she interviews inspiring changemakers who are redefining what the future of food should look like. A regular media contributor and fierce advocate for women in business, AJ is known for her warmth, insightful input and commitment to celebrating the people behind every great food story.

Denise has worked in the food & drink industry for over 25 years. and currently develops and  styles all the recipes and videos for the AHDB Domestic and Export Marketing projects and campaigns.

Her extensive experience ranges from working in food & drink PR,TV and media.  Some of her roles include:

• Working at the world-renowned Le Cordon Bleu Cookery School
• Senior Home Economist for Nestlé
• Food Advisor at the Sea Fish Industry Authority, where Denise worked across all sectors of the seafood industry to promote good quality, sustainable British seafood

Denise has a Masters in Culinary Arts from the University of Brighton and is a member of The Guild of Food Writers.

Michelle Trusselle is an accomplished chef with over 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry. After training at Westminster Kingsway College, she built her career in some of London’s most renowned restaurants, developing a strong foundation in culinary excellence. She has also partnered with well-established brands to deliver innovative social media campaigns that bring food stories to life. Today, Michelle leads culinary innovation across Aramark’s UK and Global Energy business, ensuring the food proposition continues to evolve, stay creative, and remain on trend.

Amy Wilkinson is the Founder of Fearless Foodies, a learning and development consultancy dedicated to helping people in the food and drink industry be braver, lead better and stay human at work. With over 25 years’ experience in Food Manufacturing across NPD, marketing and commercial roles, Amy brings real-world industry experience into every conversation. She is the host of The Fearless Foodie podcast and the founder of Fearless Women Connect, a free community creating space for connection, confidence and honest conversations for women in food and retail. In 2025, Amy was recognised by Food Manufacture as one of the most influential female leaders in the Food and Beverage sector and is passionate about championing inclusive, people-centred leadership.