Meet the Team
The Brasserie’s core is the students – it is their restaurant. Each service is staffed by MK College trainee chefs and servers growing their passion and skills in the industry. Some students can spend up to three years working in the restaurant, moving up the ranks.
Nico Baker – Head Chef
Like many young people, I wanted to be a footballer when I was growing up, which was my passion. I was always interested in food, but it was not until I went to Milton Keynes College that I discovered the complexity and diversity of the different types of food and flavours available. I would never change my profession for the world!
Completing my catering studies at Milton Keynes College, I set out to discover myself. Using my initiative and ambitions, I have worked in several local restaurants, feverishly bringing my unique skills and enthusiasm to each job.
Going full circle, I am now head chef at The Brasserie, my most outstanding achievement. Sharing my passion for food, I hope to pass on some of my passions, giving future chefs a little taste of what can be achieved.
Nico’s dish of choice:
Lasagne!
James Carr – Head Chef
I have been a chef for over ten years and have had some great experience working in some of the best restaurants in Milton Keynes, as well as working in restaurants across London, Norway & France.
Being a Chef had provided me with some amazing opportunities and I’m proud of what I have achieved so far – most recently I was awarded Milton Keynes Chef of the year 2021/2022. This was one of my proudest moments!
Joining the college in 2021, I wanted to pass on the skills that I’ve learnt to the next generation of chefs. I would say my food focuses on seasonal produce and exciting flavour combinations, taking a lot of influence from Japanese cuisine.
James’s dish of choice:
My favourite dish would have to be Ramen!
Ashley Blackford – Chef Trainer
I joined Milton Keynes College as a catering student back in 2016 as I had an interest in being a chef, and I haven’t looked back since. Fast forward 5 years and I joined the MKC catering team in October 2021 as a Chef Trainer. My job gives me the opportunity to show the students what I have been taught whilst being in the industry, where I can continue to learn and adapt my catering skills.
During my 6 years of being a chef, I have worked at Aqua, Craft & Cleaver, Oscar’s Bar & Restaurant, Crooked Billet, Wing Kingz, and now at MKC The Brasserie. I’m really looking forward to the new chapter of my career at MK College, I can’t wait to see where this takes me, but most of all, I’m looking forward to giving back and being a part of building futures. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than showing students what I know and watching them grow into top professional chefs.
Ashley’s dish of choice:
My favourite dish has to be a classic pasta carbonara. It’s always fun to make, requires good skill to make the pasta dough and to roll it out to the right size and thickness, it also always washes down with a nice glass of red.
Charlie Roberts – Chef Support
I have been working in the catering and hospitality industry now for 4 years, working in and around Milton Keynes, gaining knowledge and experience from chefs from all sections of the kitchen.
I started my career in a local Buckinghamshire hotel as a kitchen porter, and after about a year I became a commis chef at the same hotel, working on the starters and desserts sections creating dishes for the busy restaurant and bars within the hotel.
I then moved to Silverstone Race Circuit in 2021, working there for around 6 months. While I was there, I worked the 2021 British Grand Prix helping to cater for 100,000 guests over the course of the week. During my time at Silverstone, I worked in the different outlets, catering for corporate lunches and mass catering events. After the Grand Prix, I left and got the job of Support Chef at the college where I had been a student for three years previously.
Charlie’s dish of choice:
My favourite dish overall has to be butter chicken curry, and my favourite dish that I’ve created whilst working at the College was the artichoke tortellini that was on the February Level 3 taster menu.
Joanna Piatek – Front of House Manager
I have worked within the Hospitality industry for the last seventeen years; initially starting out as a waitress, then progressing through supervisory roles, and now currently in management, where I thoroughly enjoy the fast-paced environment and being around lots of people.
I joined the Hospitality team at MKC back in 2017. The best part of working in The Brasserie is seeing the students: developing their skills, pushing their boundaries, growing in confidence, and becoming professionals. I am proud to be a part of the students’ journey in being able to join our wonderful industry.
Joanna’s dish of choice:
Pierogi
Sadie Lowery – Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Professional Cookery Student
Back in year 10, I chose Food Tech for one of my options at secondary school as I became very passionate about working in the hospitality industry. After applying to MK College, I was then accepted onto the full time catering course.
On the catering course, we always work as a team, it feels like I’m part of an extended family! I’ve had experience working at the Silverstone race circuit, where I have also been offered additional work there by the Silverstone management for future catering events!
Sadie’s dish of choice:
Beef wellington
Jake – Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery Student
In year 9 I choose food as one of my gcse options with little enthusiasm, but I learned from my first job in a local café where the burning passion to cook comes from lighting mine to join professional catering at MK college. On the catering course we all band together to work hard and pull of amazing feats as a united team. With the experience I’ve gained as a chef I was given the chance to work at Silverstone circuit in a professional manner with greater chances on the horizon
Memphis’ dish of choice:
Tagliatelle with a roasted walnut pesto
Bethany Saggers – Barista
After successful completion of my Level 3 course, I got the opportunity to continue my journey with Milton Keynes College working in The Brasserie. Whether it’s making delicious coffees or creating luxurious cocktails, everyday is a surprise! Thursday Taste Nights are my favourite, and I enjoy seeing fabulous food coming from the kitchen every week. I am still learning new things everyday as well as developing my skills with an assessors course alongside working. Teaching and guiding the new students has been such a great experience and I look forward to developing greater relationships with them and watching them develop throughout the rest of the year and delivering the excellent service everyone experiences!
Bethany’s dish of choice:
Macaroni and cheese
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