THE STORY OF CHEF DAN JOLLEY
Award-winning chef Daniel Jolley is somewhat of a culinary entrepreneur. He’s used his fifteen years of experience in Michelin starred kitchens to create his own healthy snacks and meal preparation company.
Lancashire-born Daniel began cooking after meeting Northcote Manor’s Chef Ambassador Nigel Haworth at a college open day. Despite being dressed in jeans and a hoody - Nigel spotted Daniel’s eagerness and ambition for cooking and quickly offered him a job as an apprentice in his coveted one-starred Michelin kitchen.
It was here Daniel’s passion for food was harnessed into professional cooking. Daniel says he is ‘ever-grateful’ for getting a lucky break at the age of 16 into the a well respected hotel, learning techniques that have served him well since. From knife skills, to plating styles and how to be clean, disciplined and organised in a busy environment.
It was while at Northcote Manor, Daniel won his first award Young Chef of the Year 2007, before leaving to join the prestigious The Square restaurant in Mayfair under the eyes of Phil Howard.
It was while at The Square Daniel really harnessed his passion and finesse for cooking and learned to be part of a bigger team and operation. Daniel rose to become head of fish section, before being offered a job in Paris under revered two-Michelin starred chef Helene Darroze at her restaurant by the same name.
Daniel said: ‘Helene was the best chef I’ve ever worked for and she inspired me immensely under her tutelage.’ Daniel won Helene over with his tenacity and hard work ethic and became junior sous chef at the tender age of 20.
Missing the UK and wanting to expand his CV Daniel left Paris to join Jesmond Dean House in Newcastle, before being head hunted to be the Head Chef at acclaimed Fishermans Lodge at the age 23.
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After two years in the North-East, Daniel joined the team at Living Ventures as a development chef and helped command the opening of Manchester House with Aiden Byrne, before becoming the head chef at Award-Winning The Lake district hotel - Linthwaite House.
With a keen interest in sport, Daniel spotted his dream job to work at Liverpool Football Club and was offered to become one of their fine dining team preparing food on match days for VIPs and supporting the players with their nutrition during training. It was here Daniel won Stadium Chef of the Year 2018.
Daniel’s northern charm, dedication to learning and passion for food cemented him as one of the favourite chefs among the players and was quickly snapped up to be the private chef for both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
With his foot firmly in the door of sports, cooking and nutrition, Daniel set up his own business in 2018 - Restaurant Ready - a fine dining at home experience and meal prep service which is based on nutrition, health and fitness.