Independent business and industry caterer Houston & Hawkes has partnered with Sally Abé, Great British Menu 2022 finalist and consultant chef of The Pem at the Conrad London St James hotel.

The AYALA SquareMeal Female Chef of the Year 2021 will work on a consultancy basis with Houston & Hawkes, providing strategic food development insight, and working with chefs to enhance the food and service experiences they deliver for their clients and guests. Sally has signed an exclusive agreement to work with Houston & Hawkes within the contract catering sector. The partnership, initially for a year, began last month.

Sally’s responsibilities will incorporate co-hosting events for clients and delivering interactive development masterclasses for Houston & Hawkes’ team members. She will also be writing a monthly blog for Houston & Hawkes covering a range of subjects from attracting female chefs to the industry and sustainability to food trends and the promotion of the hospitality sector.  

Announcing the news, Sally commented: “I am thrilled to be joining such a progressive company as Houston & Hawkes. The company’s ethos is in line with mine on so many levels, and I look forward to developing an exceptional and mutually beneficial relationship with the whole team.”

Simon Houston, co-founder and director at Houston & Hawkes, added: “Sally is a rare talent and such an inspirational chef and we are so proud to be taking our business forward while working alongside. Her achievements are well known and, as a business, we cannot wait to blend her incredible skills with our own successes in the field.”