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Yanet Acosta

Yanet Acosta | The Foodie Studies Madrid, Spain

Biography

Yanet Acosta is a journalist, writer and university lecturer specialising in critical cultural studies of gastronomy (Food Studies) and in gastronomic journalism and communication. She holds a degree and a PhD in Journalism from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, as well as a postgraduate qualification from Columbia University in New York. She worked for Agencia Efe for a decade and has contributed to media outlets including Público, El País, El Mundo and La SER.

She is the founder and Academic Director of the Máster de Comunicación y Periodismo Gastronómico at The Foodie Studies and teaches at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid. She is a member of the UNESCO Chair in Communication Research and previously directed the Curso de Experto en Periodismo Gastronómico y Nutricional at Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Acosta is co-editor of Food Studies en español. Investigación actual en gastronomía y comunicación (Fragua, 2024) and the author of three novels, two cookbooks, a collection of short stories and a historical essay. In 2020, she received the Primer Premio Nacional de Periodismo Gastronómico «Álvaro Cunqueiro».

Sessions

15:30h

Talk | . Talent Z

Talent Z. Values in Transformation for a New Generation

Yanet Acosta The Foodie Studies Journalist, writer and lecturer Speaker

2026-11-02 15:30 2026-11-02 14:00 Europe/Madrid Talent Z. Values in Transformation for a New Generation Media attention surrounding today’s gastronomy seems to focus more on the past than the present. There is little space at congresses and round-table discussions for the voices of a new generation whose talent we appear to be overlooking. Their values represent a transformation that we need to listen to, and their representatives are people we want to engage in dialogue with in order to understand the current context of producing food, cooking it and eating it. ForumLab

Mon 2

15:30h - 14:00h ForumLab Free access

16:00h

Round table | . Talent Z

Digitalisation. Beyond Social Media

Alatz Bilbao Bakea* Chef Speaker

Yanet Acosta The Foodie Studies Journalist, writer and lecturer Moderator

Oriol De Pablo VICIO CEO Speaker

Alba Aguilera Port de Barcelona & Arenys de Mar Fisherwoman and boat owner Speaker

2026-11-02 16:00 2026-11-02 17:00 Europe/Madrid Digitalisation. Beyond Social Media It seems impossible to think about running a restaurant without comprehensive digitalisation across the business: from reservations to production, purchasing, human resources and financial management, as well as the image the business wants to project, its philosophy and the leadership of areas such as the kitchen, front of house or wine service. But is this what Generation Z, the generation of digital natives, is actually doing? What is their relationship with the web and the online world? Do they see these spaces as necessary for success? Is an online presence enough to attract customers and win awards? Do they still aspire to more traditional approaches, such as relationships with the press and food critics? What is their relationship with influencers? ForumLab

Mon 2

16:00h - 17:00h ForumLab Free access

18:00h

Round table | . Talent Z

Generation Z: A New Era for People

Yanet Acosta The Foodie Studies Journalist, writer and lecturer Moderator

Esther Obiols CETT Work Placements Manager Speaker

Silvia Müller The Self-Investigation Development and Partnerships Director Speaker

Carlos Casillas Barro* Chef Speaker

2026-11-02 18:00 2026-11-02 19:00 Europe/Madrid Generation Z: A New Era for People Cooking is one of the professions with the highest levels of burnout and is also one of the environments where violence and mistreatment have been most visible. How does Generation Z deal with this stigma? Do people now matter more, regardless of their background or gender? Is it time to do away with the chef? And what about mental health? What value does this generation —the first to have been able to choose from a wide range of schools and some universities— place on education and training? Where does social commitment fit within a business-driven economy? Is this the moment for Talent Z? ForumLab

Mon 2

18:00h - 19:00h ForumLab Free access