Peter Van Zyl

Chef Pieter van Zyl leads many of the cookery courses and heads the food team at Chequers Kitchen. Pieter has been a chef since moving from his native South Africa to train and work in Switzerland as a young man.

Pieter has been teaching cookery classes for the past two years at the old Chequers restaurant and it was this experience that inspired him and business partner Stephanie to develop Chequers Kitchen Cookery School.

Stephanie Hayman

You won’t find Stephanie anywhere near the kitchen but she is the organizational brain behind Chequers Kitchen Cookery School. Stephanie makes sure the School runs smoothly and works behind the scenes to develop our social enterprise goals and Keen2Cook classes.

In 2013, Stephanie was recognized as Kent Life and Kent on Sunday’s Fine Food and Drink Hero for her work in raising the standards of school food in East Kent through Whole School Meals CIC.

Ralph Cade

Ralph has always had a passion for food. He cooked his first omelette at the age of six. After a career in London, Ralph set up The Dining Club in Deal seven years ago, bringing a different menu to the table every week for over 5 years. He now prefers simpler dishes where it’s all about flavour and sharing food, recipes and skills.

Deirdre Fenney

Deirdre is a guest tutor at Chequers Kitchen Cookery School taking time out from her successful business Creative Foodie to teach about cooking with spices. Deirdre’s passion and enthusiasm for food is shared with customers at her regular pitch at Deal market and various farmers’ markets in Kent, and through her catering.

Hilde-Marie Smith

Hilde-Marie has been a Private Chef since 2004. Born in South Africa, Hilde-Marie has a passion for good honest food – knowing where everything comes from without any interference by chemicals, flavour enhancers or emulsifiers. Hilde-Marie has developed expertise in styles including Thai and Italian and is a talented and inspiring teacher. We love having her as a guest teacher at Chequers Kitchen Cookery School!