I started my career in Hospitality at the age of 15, and worked in Restaurants in London, Australia and New Zealand, before returning to the UK with a passion to inspire, teach and train the next generation of Chefs.
I taught for 8 years, and found new opportunities afterwards with Compass Group, developing the Chef Apprenticeship Academy, recruiting 16–19-year-olds into the business and supporting their training.
In 2014, I became Head of School for the UK’s first Career College for Hospitality and Enterprise with Bromley College – delivering GCSEs to 14–16-year-olds within a Hospitality environment; building a College from a blueprint and opening a fully functioning restaurant where Students were employed and learned their new trade as well as gaining their GCSEs through industry-sponsored Hospitality projects.
In 2015, I returned to Compass Group as Exec Chef for ESS Government Services, which later led to a Nationwide role. Three years ago I was promoted to Culinary Director, where I’m responsible for the food offer for our clients in the UK Military.
I’m still a supporter of helping young people into my Industry, and support Springboard UK and also Compass’ own Apprenticeship programmes.
My role also extends globally and I hold one of the nineteen positions on the Compass Global Culinary Council, advocating and supporting positive changes for our Chefs worldwide. I represent the UK on a “People” sub-committee, discussing gender and race equality, levelling up of pay, responsibilities, job roles and understanding how to support Chef-colleagues in my position.