Aaron Latham – Executive Chef at Chartwells and Senior winner, Compass Chef of the Year

Aaron has been working at Chartwells, the education sector of Compass Group UK & Ireland, for over three years. He is currently Executive Chef for Chartwells at De Montfort University and was recently crowned winner of the senior category at the Compass Chef of the Year competition after winning bronze last year.

Aaron has had an interest in food from a young age and was inspired further by his friend’s parents who owned a local Chinese restaurant. While working as a part-time butcher Aaron decided to complete a culinary course at college. Following on from this, Aaron went on to work in various bistros, restaurants and pubs before going freelance and catering for weddings and parties where he cooked for a number of high-profile guests. Before joining Chartwells, Aaron worked as a chef trainer, teaching culinary courses at a college in Leicester.

Since he started working at Chartwells, Aaron has had the opportunity to showcase his talents by entering competitions like Compass Chef of the Year and hopes to enter more in the future. He is keen to help develop the skills of his team so that they all have an opportunity to compete for culinary awards.

On Compass Group UK & Ireland:

“Compass is a great place to work. I have received brilliant support from some of my colleagues including fellow chef James Hart who also won the senior title at Compass Chef of the Year in 2015. Compass has provided me with a number of opportunities to really show my culinary talents and passion for food. I was extremely proud to have won Senior Chef of the Year. My wife encouraged me to take part this year as when I won bronze last year she was in hospital with our new-born daughter, so this win is really for them!

“I plan to develop my career further within the business and inspire other chefs to take part in competitions and reach their goals. I think anyone considering a career as a chef in this exciting industry should just go for it. If you continue to work hard, there is no reason why you won’t succeed!”