public function load(ObjectManager $em) { $cat = new Thing(); $cat->setName('Edgar the Cat'); $bull = new Thing(); $bull->setName('Joe the bull'); $categoryRed = new Category(); $categoryRed->setName('Red'); $cat->setCategory($categoryRed); $bull->setCategory($categoryRed); for ($i = 0; $i < 20; $i++) { $thing = new Thing(); $thing->setName('Dummy thing ' . $i); $thing->setCategory($categoryRed); $em->persist($thing); } $em->persist($cat); $em->persist($bull); $em->persist($categoryRed); $em->flush(); }