Starting off as a chalet chef, Diana climbed the rungs to founding her own specialist food ventures. This included a catering company and a refined delicatessen in Chelsea. She infamously taught at The Grange Cookery School in Somerset for seven years and has been with The Avenue for over ten years. This Mother Duck engages and educates her students with undying character and warmth.
With a knack for trailblazing twists on classical dishes, Diana simply loves food and is identified for her delectable culinary creations that will amuse and delight your palette. She does not do boring! [/person][/one_third][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Sophie Horsford” title=”Managing Director & Events Manager” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Sophie-on-laptop-Giselle.jpg” pic_link=”” linktarget=”_self” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”0″ pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”0″ icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”4px” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Sophie, Diana’s daughter, is the absolute driving force behind The Avenue.
Her previous experience in corporate entertainment means she can identify exactly what people want, down to the finest detail. Sophie is on a constant culinary journey of discovering new exciting recipes and restaurants – and she’s always up for releasing the fridge to create magic out of nothing. Good food leaves her absolutely spellbound.
Having travelled extensively, this gypsy has cooked her way through the most exotic of lands – one local course at a time. She really has acquired a great knowledge of international cuisines and cultures (don’t get her started on Sai Ua – Chiang Mai sausages!).
If you have any queries about anything and everything, Sophie’s your girl.
Email: info@theavenuecookeryschool.com[/person][/one_third][one_third last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Richard Horsford” title=”Chef & Teacher” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Rich-with-piping-bagPiotr-1.jpg” pic_link=”” linktarget=”_self” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”0″ pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”0″ icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”4px” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Richard is Diana’s son, making The Avenue very much a family affair. His previous experience have included Chalet Hosting, prestigious Corporate Events and working as a chef in the South of France.
Richard is a self-confessed Foodie, with an interest in modern cooking techniques. His flair for experimental cookery will certainly broaden your culinary horizons. Working extremely hard to share his enthusiasm with the students and push out the traditional boundaries, he is the youth and energy in the Kitchen.[/person][/one_third][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Jason Parish” title=”Assistant Chef” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Jason-Headshot.jpg” pic_link=”” linktarget=”_blank” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”” pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”” icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Jason previously worked as a Head Chef at a Soho Restaurant for twenty years.
After beginning his career in publishing, he decided to retrain at Westminster Catering College, which came as no surprise to his family who had taken over a small Hotel Restaurant in S.W France. He had spent many enjoyable holidays there helping in the kitchen – as well as foraging in the nearby woods for Truffles and Wild Mushrooms.
After completing his course he worked for various London Restaurants before landing his first Head Chef position at Aurora in Soho. Here he developed his style of short seasonal menus, cooking for hundreds of thousands of customers including a number of celebrities.
Now wishing to pass on all his practical experience and the odd anecdote has found the perfect “Avenue”.[/person][/one_third][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Monica Gil Ruiz” title=”Chef” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Monica-1.jpg” pic_link=”https://www.londonbasquekitchen.co.uk/” linktarget=”_blank” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”” pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”” icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Monica is a Spanish Londoner. She was born in Bilbao and was brought up by her grandparents in a very foodie family in North of Spain. It was her grandmother who inspired her love for good food and cooking.
Having moved to London 14 years ago she worked in the city for over 10 years and then decided to pursue her passion for food. Quitting her city job she enrolled in Leith’s School of Food & Wine, where she trained for a year. Since then, Monica has worked in some of the top restaurants in the UK and now runs her own bespoke catering company – London Basque Kitchen (www.londonbasquekitchen.co.uk), showcasing the best of both Spanish and British food.
Bringing a great knowledge of food and a great spirit with it, she fits into the Avenue family well![/person][/one_third][one_third last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Ben Blackburn” title=”Support Chef” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_7216-e1492596016318.jpg” pic_link=”” linktarget=”_self” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”” pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”” icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Ben has worked in the U.K, France and the U.S as a private chef, events caterer and teacher for four years following training at Leith’s School of Food and Wine.
Not averse to working in pressurised environments on NHS wards under his previous guise as a pharmacist he decided to change careers and follow his passion to work with food. Although a a keen traveller and classically French trained he loves to show off seasonal British dishes and ran a series of sell out pop-ups celebrating the best in Northern English cuisine.
As friendly as he is enthusiastic Ben loves nothing more than to impart his fervour for food on everyone who comes through The Avenue’s doors.[/person][/one_third][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Fran Jackson” title=”Assistant Chef” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Fran-snapshot-300×300.jpg” pic_link=”” linktarget=”_blank” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”” pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”” icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Originally from Cheltenham, Fran moved to London to study at the Leiths School of Food and Wine. During her time there she discovered her passion for all things sweet so she enrolled on the patisserie course at Le Cordon Bleu.
Since graduating, Fran has worked as a private chef at several locations around London.
In 2017, she started her own cake company called Up & Rise, which prides itself on delivering freshly made, bespoke cakes and desserts. Alongside these pursuits, Fran hugely enjoys teaching at The Avenue and particularly loves helping children discover the joys of cooking. [/person][/one_third][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Eloise Minton” title=”Holistic Chef” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Eloise-300×300.jpg” pic_link=”www.eloiseminton.co.uk” linktarget=”_blank” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”” pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”” icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Growing up in California, with a father in the food and wine industry, Eloise was exposed to vibrant and exciting flavours as a child. Her passion to experiment, and natural affinity with food, was evident from an early age.
As a teenager, living in England, Eloise experienced a health problem which lead to years of experimenting with diet, healing techniques and lifestyle changes.
Eloise is now an acupuncturist, nutritional therapist and a retreat chef (www.eloiseminton.co.uk).
Over the last decade, her study of nutrition and Chinese medicine has afforded her a deeper understanding of health. Whilst her work as a private chef for some of the UK’s best yoga and healing retreat companies has seen her develop an extensive menu of tasty food… that just ‘happens’ to be healthy.
Eloise is known for her informative yet lighthearted approach to cooking and nutrition, and we are thrilled that she will be sharing her expertise and flare for delicious food at The Avenue.[/person][/one_third][one_third last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Becky Wilkinson” title=”Assistant Chef” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/IMG_5056-2.jpg” pic_link=”” linktarget=”_blank” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”” pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”” icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Becky worked in the Nigerian Oil & Gas industry for some years before realising her passion was food, she ditched one oil for another and started her training at Leiths School of Food & Wine.
Becky soon realised that food reminded her of her glorious childhood growing up on a fish farm in Kent, having worked at Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant her love for lobsters continues and she joins us at The Avenue with her great enthusiasm and knowledge.
As well as teaching Becky also works with food on TV, assists on the creation of books & as a private chef. We are happy to have her work with us![/person][/one_third][one_third last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Nikola Cucic” title=”Cake Designer” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Nicola-nikki-e1498476199934.jpg” pic_link=”http://www.ndcake.com/gallery.html” linktarget=”_blank” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”” pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”” icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Nikola is an amazing lady who designs incredible cakes at her SW London cake business, NDCake Atelier.
She is fuelled by indefatigable energy and boundless creativity. An acclaimed artist and graphic designer Nikola is a creative genius and has joined us at The Avenue to share her undeniable cake making talent. [/person][/one_third][one_third last=”yes” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][person name=”Andrea Falcone” title=”Mixologist” picture=”https://theavenuecookeryschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Andrea-mixing-cocktails.jpg” pic_link=”http://oliveandpineapple.co.uk/” linktarget=”_blank” pic_style=”none” hover_type=”none” background_color=”” content_alignment=”” pic_style_color=”” pic_bordersize=”” pic_bordercolor=”” pic_borderradius=”” icon_position=”” social_icon_boxed=”” social_icon_boxed_radius=”” social_icon_color_type=”” social_icon_colors=”” social_icon_boxed_colors=”” social_icon_tooltip=”” email=”” facebook=”” twitter=”” instagram=”” dribbble=”” google=”” linkedin=”” blogger=”” tumblr=”” reddit=”” yahoo=”” deviantart=”” vimeo=”” youtube=”” pinterest=”” rss=”” digg=”” flickr=”” forrst=”” myspace=”” skype=”” paypal=”” dropbox=”” soundcloud=”” vk=”” xing=”” show_custom=”no” class=”” id=””]Andrea is what people today call a “mixologist”, even if he prefers to define himself simply as a bartender.
With 15 years of experience, spent mostly in London, he travelled and worked in a number of different environments, from luxury hotels to beach “gazebo style” bars, from Sydney to Cape Town and of course London and Milan – where he comes from.
His constant search for new flavours and techniques, and his passion for the bar industry have lead him where he is today in teaching cocktails classes and having loads of fun doing it – the perfect match for The Avenue Cookery School, Andrea ensures that extra fun stirred into the night!
His favourite drink?
“As much as I like playing with flavours and anything that’s new I find a dirty, stirred, vodka, triple olive martini hard to beat!”[/person][/one_third][fullwidth background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”0″ padding_right=”0″ hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””]
Close links with the Ski Travel Industry and other Job platforms
We have close links with a number of ski companies and other seasonal and non-seasonal job platforms to help with placing you as a Chalet Host, a chef or assistant chef positions.