Meet the speakers of the Global Pure Plant conference 2026
The Pure Plant Global Conference brings together some of the world’s most influential chefs, food innovators, researchers, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who are shaping the future of plant-forward gastronomy.
On this page, we will gradually reveal the complete speaker lineup. New speakers will be announced regularly in the months leading up to the conference, giving you the opportunity to discover the inspiring personalities, groundbreaking ideas, and innovative projects that will take center stage in Bruges.
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First speaker
We are honoured to welcome Virgilio Martínez as the very first speaker of the inaugural Pure Plant Global Conference. As the pioneering chef behind restaurants Central & Mater, Virgilio Martínez is internationally celebrated for his groundbreaking approach to biodiversity, sustainability, and the exploration of native ecosystems through cuisine. His work goes far beyond the plate, connecting gastronomy with nature, culture, and scientific research. Book your tickets for the conference.
Second speaker
Joining us is Eddie Shepherd, the visionary chef behind The Walled Gardens in Manchester (UK), proudly awarded 5 Green Radishes by We’re Smart.
Renowned for pushing the boundaries of pure plant gastronomy, Eddie combines culinary creativity with cutting-edge technology to create extraordinary dining experiences. During his presentation, he will share how he cooks with plants beyond the world of fruits and vegetables, working with flowers, trees, seaweeds and wild foraged foods to capture unique flavours, and how technology and innovation help make this possible.
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Third speaker
How can changing the way we eat help transform our food system? Tobias Leenaert, co-founder of ProVeg International, shares his vision on accelerating the shift towards a more plant-rich future.
The way we currently produce and consume food is having a negative impact on the climate, nature, people, and animals. ProVeg is dedicated - together with We’re Smart - to raising awareness of how we can drive positive change through food-systems transformation. We empower people and institutions to help reshape the global food system by making plant-rich foods and alternative proteins more accessible and appealing. Transforming the way we eat and produce food plays a vital role in building a healthier, more sustainable, and equitable future that benefits everyone. Book your tickets for the conference.
Fourth speaker
Dr. Emily Leeming, PhD, is a nutrition and microbiome researcher, registered dietitian, and former chef. At King's College London her research explores how food shapes the gut microbiome and our health. She is part of the PROSPECT team running the EAT-FIBRE study, a clinical trial investigating fibre and the risk of early-onset colorectal cancer. Dr. Emily is an international keynote and TEDx speaker, Daily Mail columnist, and regular media contributor. She is the author of two best-selling books, Genius Gut and Fibre Power.
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Fifth speaker
Hein Deprez is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Greenyard. With a clear vision of the future of food, he started out in 1983 with a small mushroom farm. In one generation, he built Greenyard into a global leader in fruit and vegetables, offering a unique range of fresh, frozen, and prepared products. For over 40 years, he has championed the belief that the world needs more fruit and vegetables.
He believes that pure-plant food – real food that stays close to its natural origin and holds nutritional power – will help to address some of today's most urgent challenges: the urgent move to healthier diets while solving the pressure that current food production puts on our planet.
During the International Pure-Plant Congress, he will share his vision on why this transition is imperative, the importance of taste and accessibility in achieving it, and how growers, chefs, retailers, and food companies can harness the pure power of plants to create a healthier future for people and the planet.
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Sixth speaker
Yves Segers places the food transition in a historical perspective. He shows how eating habits have changed over time and explores the role that policy, technology, trade and culture have played in shaping those changes.
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Seventh speaker
Alex Holt is Chief Sustainability Officer at Ahold Delhaize and a seasoned global retail leader with over 20 years of experience. She focuses on combining business performance with positive impact on people and the planet.
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