Kayleigh Dragonetti, Mess Manager
Age: 31 years old
About me:
I currently work for Sodexo and have done for the past 6 years; I am a Mess Manager in a lovely manor house called Government House Officers Mess in Aldershot. I have worked in Hospitality since I left college ranging from bars, pubs and military establishments. I have a 3-year-old boy and a partner in the army so when I am not working, I am keeping busy spending time with my family.
Education:
Secondary school: Sandhurst School until 2006 where I received 6 grade C’s, 2 B’s 2 D’s
HE/FE: National Diploma in Media Studies, NVQ Hospitality Management level 3 (Compass/ESS), Currently finishing my Hospitality level 4 (Sodexo)
Nathan Racey, FutureChef Regional Finalist
Nathan studied Food Technology at Hall Mead School and always knew he wanted to be a chef and found food technology more interesting than his other subjects because it was hands on. Nathan has always had an interest in cooking and began his career through the FutureChef Programme in 2014, making the London Regional Final in 2015. He credits the start of his career to his mentor Mark Reynolds who offered him work experience whilst at school and employment as an apprentice when he had left school. Despite having to take some time out due to Covid-19, Nathans work ethic never changed, and he was soon back working with Mark at Tottenham Hotspurs, where he is completing his Level 3 apprenticeship through Westminster College through Levy Restaurants.
Nathan already in his short career has a number of industry awards under his belt! In 2019 he was crowned the Levy Restaurants Chef of the Year, came second in the Compass Chef of the Year and was awarded a merit at Hotelympia for his participation in the Junior Chef Competition. Nathan says his biggest achievement to date is winning the Trainee Chef of the Year at the Food Service Cateys in 2019
Nathan’s ambition is to work his way through the kitchen and soak up as much experiences as possible. He would like to travel and see and experience different culinary practices and would like to have his own little place but wants to learn everything he can to be able to fulfil his ambition.
Hayley Cancea
I am 23 years old and work in the food manufacturing industry. When I was 14, I won Springboards Future Chef, from this I completed some work experience in Michelin starred kitchens. However, I enjoyed the scientific side of food, so completed my degree at Sheffield Hallam and am now a Graduate Development Technologist for Bakkavor. I joined the accelerated management scheme in November 2020 and am now based at Newark developing Desserts. We manufacture Desserts for all major Retailers, with capabilities to make cheesecakes, cream cakes, potted desserts, and pastries. In my spare time I enjoy exercise and am currently training for a marathon.
Education:
- 2013 – Future Chef Champion
- A Levels – Food, Business & English Language
- 1st Class Degree BSc Hons Food and Nutrition Sheffield Hallam – Placement year at The Coop
- Present – Accelerated Management Scheme with Bakkavor