Meet the Team

  • Gemma Hopwood

    Programme Manager

  • Carolyn Atherton

    Programme Coordinator

  • Idris Caldora MCA

    Executive Head Chef

  • James Holden

    North West Regional Chef

  • Ashley Marsh

    London and South East Regional Chef and University of West London Lecturer

  • Amandeep Verdding

    London Regional Chef

  • John McManus

    Sussex Regional Chef

  • Ibrahim Bellal

    Birmingham Regional Chef and University College Birmingham Lecturer

Contact emails

Gemma Hopwood - Programme Manager: gemmahopwood@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk

Carolyn Atherton - Programme Coordinator: carolyn@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk

Idris Caldora - West Midlands: idriscaldora@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk

James Holden - North West: jamesholden@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk

Ashley Marsh - London/Essex: ashleymarsh@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk

Amandeep Verdding - London: amandeep@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk

John McManus - Sussex: johnmcmanus@royalacademyofculinaryarts.org.uk

Ibraham Bellal - Birmingham: I.Bellal@ucb.ac.uk

adopt a school Trustees

  • David Coubrough (Chairman)

  • Amanda Afiya

  • Myles Bremner

  • Richard Dunne

  • Frederick Mostert

  • Bill Toner

  • Brian J Turner CBE

  • John Williams MBE

adopt a school MANAGEMENT AND FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE

  • Amanda Afiya

  • Simon Boyle

  • Gregg Brown

  • Idris Caldora MCA

  • James Holden

  • Helena Houghton

  • Debbie Julians

  • Simon King

  • Alice MacKinnon

  • Ashley Marsh

  • Matthew Marshall

  • John McManus

  • Ben Purton

  • Molly Shaher

  • Brian Turner CBE

  • Marc Whitley

  • Sarah Wilcox

  • John Williams MBE

Charity No. 1087567