MEET THE TEAM
JAMES DEVONSHIRE - HEAD OF THE COOKERY SCHOOL & TUTOR
James has been part of the Daylesford food team since 2015, initially as the sous chef in the Café kitchen before seizing the opportunity to join the Cookery School. As passionate about eating good food as cooking it, Yorkshire-born James spends all day in the kitchen at Daylesford before going home to create nourishing, unfussy meals for his family. He believes that you're never too young to appreciate good, simple food and never too old to start learning to cook it! James brings to the table a passion for home curing, years of experience in some of the best restaurants in the Cotswolds and a ready supply of dad jokes.
JAMES HEARFIELD - HEAD TUTOR
James Hearfield is the Cookery School's head tutor, who is in his seventh year here at Daylesford. James brings with him a wealth of experience as a food lover, chef and inspiring tutor. Having worked throughout the United Kingdom, James loves the relationship that Daylesford nurtures between the land and the food that we cook. From day-to-day, James spends time talking with those who make, rear and grow our organic produce to make sure that we are using the very best seasonal ingredients throughout the year. James’ philosophy of allowing our wonderful ingredients to do the talking, cooking simply and imparting maximum flavour in all of our recipes, is integral to The Cookery School’s ethos.
SOPHIE JONES - NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & OFFICE MANAGER
Sophie Jones grew up on a working dairy farm in rural Herefordshire before studying business and events management at university. After graduating, Sophie had a summer job delivering strawberries which is when she first learned about Daylesford. Her curiosity to find out more about how food can be produced according to the rhythms of nature sparked an interest in sustainable farming and agriculture.
Sophie has been part of our Cookery School team for several years, where she works as New Business Development and Office Manager. She is passionate about sharing simple, home-cooked food.
IONE PETIT, JUNIOR TUTOR
Ione Petit developed an enthusiasm for food from a young age. Her first forays in the kitchen were baking projects as a child, which led to an interest in other forms of cooking, particularly finding creative ways to use up ingredients that might otherwise go to waste.
As a young adult, Ione enrolled at Ballymaloe cookery school in Ireland, which like Daylesford has an organic farm and an ethos that focuses on growing, cooking and eating seasonally. She gained experience cooking in ski chalets, in cafés and delicatessens in Paris and by working as a private chef. A self-confessed Francophile, Ione studied French at Bristol University, where she was able to connect her passions for food and France.
She came to Daylesford via our Future Foodies internship in October 2020, which provided in-depth overview of all the production units based at our Cotswolds farm, including opportunities to work in the Market Garden, Bakery, Creamery and The Wild Rabbit. She joined the Cookery School team as a Trainee Tutor the following April.
RHAYA JORDAN - RESIDENT NUTRITIONIST
Rhaya is a qualified naturopath, nutritionist and herbalist who has been in practice for 30 years. She was one of the core team that introduced the first Bachelor of Science in Nutrition Therapy in the UK. Rhaya has lectured at both undergraduate and post-grad level and now runs workshops for the public. Rhaya’s core speciality is supporting people with diabetes and she delivers an online programme along with retreats for diabetics. Rhaya is also interested in sustainable agriculture and food, holding a Permaculture Design Certificate. She is available for private appointments via Bamford in Brompton Cross and is resident nutritionist at Daylesford.