Get To Know Us

Ian

Having grown up with the family business Ian knows it inside out and from top to bottom. Over the years Ian has seen the team go from strength to strength and with Jacaranda now approaching its 25th Anniversary we are delighted to say the company remains as vibrant and progressive as ever.

Ian has always had a passion not only for fabulous food but also for bringing together the best people in order to achieve our collective goals of delivering the best events, food and service to our region.

Jamie

Jamie is our Director of food and has been with us for 15 years. Jamie loves creating new menus and especially enjoys spending a couple of days in the office with the Managers. At home Jamie has a lovely wife, Justine and three daughters who often come to help at events. Jamie likes to keep active and enjoys cycling, running and the gym! He loves to walk his dog, Peanut, who is a valued member of the office.

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Whisky sours or anything with whisky!

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. King prawn and salmon won ton, warm king prawn, leek and tarragon salad, tom yum broth

Nigel

Nigel is our Operations Director and looks after the events team. He has been with the company for over 13 years after spending the previous 10 years working for event caterers in London. Since leaving the Capital he has embraced the country lifestyle and enjoys long walks, pub lunches and always carries his golf clubs in the boot of his car just in case there is time for a cheeky round of golf.

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Cold lager after a long walk

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. ‘Coffee and Cake’ cappuccino semi-fredo with warm brioche chocolate pudding and bitter chocolate sauce

Phern

Phern has been a Manager at Jacaranda for over 9 years. Her ‘baby’ is Cowdray House and she excitingly had her own wedding there in May 2024 with her husband Johnny, who she met at Jacaranda! In the office known as the Queen of cocktails, she is always on hand to help with quantities and recipes – she likes to drink them too! Outside of work Phern likes to spend time with her friends & trying new restaurants.

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Espresso martini or Aperol spritz

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. White chocolate and dehydrated raspberry parfait with pistachio crumb, caramelised white chocolate, raspberry jelly and fresh raspberries

Jago

Jago is our Head Chef who has been with us for 14 years. Jago loves being in the prep kitchen and ensuring everything is done to the highest quality to then going out on events and presenting beautiful plates of food. Jago met his wife, Jane at Jacaranda and together they love to travel the world and go on lots of adventures. In his spare time he enjoys fixing cars and mechanical issues!

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Pina colada

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. Mexican spiced polenta with sweet potato and halloumi enchilada, tomatillo salsa, black beans and avocado

Hannah

Hannah is our Marquee Event Manager and has been with Jacaranda for over 9 years; starting off as a waitress and then joining the office in 2018. Hannah is the table top hire guru and loves to design your wedding with you. Outside of work Hannah spends most of her time down the yard with her horses and competing. She also loves to sing and travels to London for lessons. Hannah is always looking to be outside and will do as much work as possible in the sun!

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Spicy margarita

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. Orecchiette with tomato fondue, pine nuts, basil sauce, shaved parmesan

Jenni

Jenni is Jacarandas’ office Manager and also runs our Staffing Department. Jenni has been with Jacaranda for 6 years and is the first smiley face you see when you walk into the office. Outside of the office Jenni spends time with her family and walking her lovely dog, Bertie. Jenni is always hungry and on the lookout for snacks and has somehow managed to introduce ‘Wine Wednesday’s’ to the office which we all enjoy.

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Porn star martini

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. Tomato tart tatin with creamed mild Sussex goat’s cheese infused with basil, wild rocket salad and rocket pesto

Chermain

Chermain or Cham as she is known to the team, is one of our Event Managers. Having worked in an array of different events and industries, Cham was keen to take on a new challenge. She manages all of our weddings at the stunning Northbrook park as well as a few other venues. Outside of work Cham leads a very active life with her husband and dog, Ozzie, who all love to run and explore. Cham also enjoys trips to London to visit her friends and family.

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Aperol spritz

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. ‘KFC’ Korean fried cauliflower, kimchi slaw, spicy miso dressing

Emily

Emily is our newest event manager, she joined the office in 2024, having worked as a waitress at Jacaranda for over 4 years. Emily runs a selection of our venues, but you may occasionally see her pop up on a Marquee! She loves to spend her time outside walking and training her two gorgeous dogs, Willow and Millie. Emily also loves to cook and is always asking our chefs for the best recipes!

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Hugo spritz

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. Sharing lemon and chilli chicken and tarragon aioli with roast spiced butternut, red onion, charred courgettes, red pepper and pumpkin seeds with tahini dressing

Jess

Jess is one of our event managers and she has been with Jacaranda seasonally since 2019. Jess got married with Jacaranda in September 2023 to her lovely husband Andy, they have two children and love going for walks along the beach. Jess loves getting mucked into your event and you might catch her dancing in the kitchen, keeping the team positive and spirits high!

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Negroni

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. Spiced lamb fillet with lamb tajine beignet, roast and pureed butternut, chargrilled tenderstem broccoli, baby courgettes and mint salsa verde

Lorna

Lorna has been running the Accounts Department at Jacaranda for the last 10 years. She may not be customer facing but is a much valued member of the team, and keeps the wheels turning! Lorna is our excel expert who we always go to when we are stuck. Outside of work Lorna has two lovely daughters and two cats who keep her busy. She has just completed Couch to 5K, and loves park runs on a Saturday morning.

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. A classic G&T

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. Burrata, peach, pomegranate seeds, pomegranate reduction, honey, basil,sourdough toast

Dan

Dan has been with Jacaranda for 13 years and is one of our Sous Chefs. Dan loves the energy of an event and also loves to create new street food ideas for our sister company ‘Coco Dining’. At home Dan spends time with his family – Ayse, and their three daughters. He also loves to play football and enjoys golf but only in the sun!

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Peroni (it's actually a woo woo!)

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. Duck breast, braised leg, red cabbage puree, heritage carrots, potato and thyme galette, jus

Pete

Pete is one of our Sous Chefs and has been with Jacaranda for 9 years. Pete loves designing new dishes for our menu and trying new combinations – which are always delicious. Outside of work Pete loves to catch some sun in the garden with his wife, Julie. Pete’s son Leon or mini Pete as we call him, also comes to help us whenever he can, and we absolutely love them as a team.

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Espresso martini

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. Beef carpaccio, pickled daikon, radish, shallot, wasabi mascarpone, yuzu vinaigrette

Mark

Mark is our wonderful Kitchen Porter who ensures everything is clean for the chefs and our events. He has been with Jacaranda for years and loves it. Mark enjoys being around the chefs, but occasionally likes coming down to the office for a chat with managers. At home he loves to watch the football with his cat Bailey, and during our quieter months he likes to travel around Asia.

Q. What's your favourite cocktail?
A. Cosmo

Q. What's your favourite Jacaranda dish?
A. Vietnamese bahn
mi – crusty baguettes filled with spiced pork and pickled vegetables

Chas

Chas is our office security, he takes his role very seriously and has been in this position for 8 years. Chas enjoys clearing up snacks and going on long walks with his friend Peanut. However his favourite thing is going on adventures in the van with Ian, to deliver and collect our Coco Vans.

Likes: Sardines
Dislikes: Cucumber

Peanut

Peanut is our office entertainment and has been coming to the office since he was a puppy! He likes going on long walks with his friend Chas and sneaking snacks of everyone in the office. If Jamie doesn’t give him his milk in the morning then we all know about it!

Likes: Milk
Dislikes: Oranges