Member Article

Marco Pierre White protege joins local food company

A chef who worked with Marco Pierre White has joined one of the UK’s leading chilled and frozen food companies.

John Connell is the newest development and innovation chef to be employed by SK Chilled Foods.

Based at the company’s head office in Wynyard, near Billingham, Teesside, the 46-year-old has joined an existing team of four chefs who create the dishes which are enjoyed by millions of people who shop at some of the UK’s biggest supermarkets.

The New Zealander, who now lives in Newcastle, has worked in some of the world’s best restaurants during his career, including Harvey’s the double Michelin starred restaurant once run in Wandsworth, London, by Marco Pierre White.

Father-of-three John said: “Prior to joining SK I was working as a development chef creating desserts for airlines, but savoury is much more my strong point, so when this opportunity arose I jumped at it.

“Having grew up in New Zealand and worked in Australia, I am very much driven by spices, so working for a company that specialises in Asian food suits my style of cooking.

“It’s a new challenge but I am looking forward to putting my own stamp on the food we make and coming up with new recipes using good, fresh ingredients.”

As well as working with Marco Pierre White, who he describes as a “very clever man”, during his time in the UK John has also been head chef at the Vermont Hotel in Newcastle, the five-star Seaham Hall Hotel and at Newcastle’s St James Park football ground, where he was consultant chef.

He has cooked for footballers and members of the Royal Family, including Princess Anne and Princess Diana.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Neil Shaefer .