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Private Chef and Catering Consultant.

I grew up in Devon and started my cooking career at the age of 15 at the Coppa Dolla Inn, Broadhempston. I then went on to run the kitchen at the Church House Inn in Holne for a couple of years until I headed off to London when I was 18, where I cooked for the likes of Marco Pierre White and John Christophe Novelli. I also spent 5 years as Snr Sous chef for one of the worlds leading hotels, “One Aldwych Hotel” on the Strand, where I helped it become one of the most green hotels in Britain. From there I travelled with the Ferrari F1 team catering for the drivers and VIP’s around Europe until I came back to London to work for Tramp a private member’s club in Piccadilly, cooking for the rich and famous.

I then went on to open Hugh Fernley Whittingstall’s new flagship restaurant, River Cottage Plymouth in Devon. It become the most sustainable restaurant in the country along with many more accolades. As Snr Head chef for River Cottage, I was also involved with the setting up of 2 more River Cottage sites, in development, designs, procurement, training and offer. My time with River Cottage helped me reinforce my passion for produce and working ethics on sustainability.

For me it’s always been about supporting our local communities, sourcing locally and sustainably, working closely with the seasons and using wild and foraged food.

So I have now stepped out from the helms of the stainless steel ship and into chef consultancy, so I can share what I have learnt and achieved along the way to help and guide others in achieving their dreams.

I also provide Private Chef services, from small intimate dinner parties to large weddings and events. Using whats Seasonal, Local, Organic and Wild at the time.

Joe Draper

Testimonials

Joe Draper is a very talented chef and I hugely enjoyed working with him during his time at the helm of the River Cottage Canteen, Plymouth. He opened the Canteen for us in 2011, and remained as head chef for 4 years, using his considerable creative talents to devise many outstanding new dishes. Embracing and celebrating the River Cottage approach to seasonal cooking and sustainable sourcing, he forged relationships with many excellent local producers and took the restaurant from strength to strength.

Joe is a natural host as well as a chef, and I’m sure in his new venture he will continue to display his wonderful hospitality as well as his flair and passion for food. I wish him all the very best, and can't wait to see what he achieves in the future.

Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. April 2015

I have known and worked with Joe for many years, both in London and the West Country. Joe represents an unusual and rare thing, he is both talented and creative in the kitchen and steady, reliable and clued up in the office, making him one of those chefs that will be in demand for many different types of project. Joe has been helping me at my new venture Green Sauce and helping run Hall and Hearty community dining events since leaving River Cottage Plymouth after running a very tight ship there for over 4 years regularly and consistently meeting targets and hitting budgets whilst keeping a culinary eye on the ball and serving some top class food. In short, Joe is a very talented chef who is ready for anything

Tim Maddams, Co-Founder Green Sauce Ltd

I have been lucky enough to have worked for and with some of the most influential chefs in the country, but none more talented and astute than Joe Draper. We first met at the River Cottage canteens where I headed up the development chef team. It was obvious on our first meeting that Joe had all the necessary acumen to not only produce some of the finest food in the southwest, but also be financial savvy to run a busy kitchen. Over the next 3 years Joe became my right hand man, working with me closely on kitchen development through ergonomic design, menu and recipe development. His depth and knowledge of sustainable produce from land and sea, gives him an edge far beyond an everyday consultant and given the most simple of projects can elevate them to great heights. Joe has since worked with myself on various independent projects through my own family consultancy ‘The Kitchen shrink’ and will continue to do so well into the future

Andrew Green, The Kitchen Shrink

My Columns and Articles

Devon Life August

Devon Life August

March 11, 2015

Devon Life July

Devon Life July

March 11, 2015

Devon Life June

Devon Life June

March 11, 2015

Devon Life May

Devon Life May

March 11, 2015

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Contact

Joe Draper

07811120350

joedraper@kitchenconsultantchef.co.uk