Careers with Compass
Leanne Turk - Lead Development Chef
Tell us about your current job role and your responsibilities?
"Leading a team of two other development chefs creating recipes and concepts across our various sectors. I work in all areas of recipe creation, innovation and insight, nutrition, ingredient optimisation, implementation and delivery"
And a little about your culinary journey?
"I found my passion for cooking when working in my parent’s pub. Between the ages of 16-19, I attended Westminster Kingsway College and did a three year professional chefs diploma training in professional cookery, front of house and kitchen management. During this time, I partook in work experiences at Le Gavroche, Locanda Locatelli and a restaurant in Gailllac in the south of France.
After college, I initially worked at the three-rosette Boxwood Cafe for Gordon Ramsay Holdings, but moved to fine dining at Goldman Sachs International and later, fine dining within Compass Group UK & Ireland. I progressed to Food Development Chef for Chartwells (Primaries, Secondaries and Academies).
My role as a Development Chef within Chartwells included recipe development and creation, delivering innovation and being compliant to the School Food Standards. My development covered sugar reduction in desserts for menus for the Compass Group 2020 Health & Wellbeing Strategy and more recently completely allergen free dishes on central menu to support pupils with allergens and intolerances. After three years, I progressed into becoming the Lead Development Chef for Compass Group. I lead on the food and concept development that the team delivers into the business."