Jilly Goolden

Widely recognised as the United Kingdom’s foremost wine authority, Jilly Goolden has spent over two decades transforming how the public understands and discusses viticulture. She rose to national prominence as a lead presenter on the BBC series Food and Drink, a programme that attracted audiences of up to eight million viewers. Throughout her eighteen-year tenure on the show alongside Oz Clarke, she became famous for her unconventional and evocative descriptions, replacing stuffy industry jargon with accessible comparisons to familiar scents and flavours. Beyond her iconic television work, she continues to reach readers through her Sunday Times best-selling books and regular contributions to every major national newspaper in Britain. Her versatile broadcasting career includes presenting stints on BBC1’s Holiday and various antiques programmes including Going, Going, Gone. She remains a frequent presence on screen, having appeared in popular formats such as Celebrity MasterChef and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. In recognition of her unique presenting style, she was previously named by the Radio Times as one of the most eccentric television personalities in the country's history. Today, she shares her connoisseurship through intimate tastings at her own dedicated Wine Room, hosting enthusiasts from across the globe. Audiences book her for her unparalleled ability to demystify complex subjects with infectious energy, professional depth, and a legendary command of the English language. On stage, Jilly Goolden is best known for talks on Wine, Food and Culture. Audiences leave with a clear, practical view of the subject rather than a generic overview — every keynote is shaped around the brief and the room. Their work resonates with leaders across Hospitality & Travel and Media & Broadcasting, where the themes translate directly into team decisions, customer experience and growth strategy. Jilly Goolden is regularly booked for After Dinner Speaker, adapting tone, length and format to suit the event — from a 20-minute opener to a full conference keynote with Q&A. Based in UK, Jilly Goolden travels internationally for engagements. To check availability or request a tailored brief for your event, send an enquiry and we'll come back with fees, dates and a short summary of how Jilly Goolden would approach your audience.