Behind every great dish is a passionate teacher. Our team of chefs and culinary educators brings a blend of professional expertise, creative flair, and a love for sharing good food.
Daniel Saddler
Kitchen Manager
Say hello to Chef Daniel – our resident flavour expert! Before joining us, Daniel was a kitchen trainer at Fazenda, where he led top-tier teams and perfected the art of Latin American cooking. These days, he’s swapped the fast-paced restaurant world for our cookery school, where he loves sharing his skills in a relaxed, hands-on way. Whether you’re a total beginner or a keen foodie, Daniel’s classes are all about building confidence, having fun, and learning to cook seriously delicious food.
Whaheed Rojan
Chef
Whaheed brings a wealth of experience to the Cookery School, from the restaurant kitchens of South Africa to the galleys of the Queen Mary II. He’s cooked for many well-known celebrities like Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and even James Bond! He has a broad range of cookery skills and loves sharing his tips and tricks with guests. His speciality is South East Asian cuisine, and he loves adding some delicious new Asian dishes to our course lineup – packed with bold, vibrant flavours and exciting new techniques.
Joe Grant
Chief Operating Officer at Zest
A former Chef of 16 years, most notably as Head Chef at Leeds’s former and beloved Arts café bar & restaurant, Joe has always had a huge passion for food & people. Over the past 10 years, Joe has used his skillset to establish and lead on several Social Enterprises, specifically around training vulnerable adults in Catering & Hospitality. Whether it is through celebrating food, encouraging positive food choices or helping people make meaningful connections, Zest are making a difference and he’s proud to be part of that.
Sophie Palmer
Marketing & Sales Lead
With a background in events, festivals and food, Sophie has always been drawn to creative projects that bring people together. After several years living abroad and training in a variety of kitchens, she developed her love for food and the fast-paced world of pop-ups. Now back in Leeds, Sophie is proud to be part of its vibrant and growing food scene. She looks after LCS’s marketing – creating content, capturing photos, and helping to share the stories behind the scenes.
