The Team

Liam Farrell
Founder

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I have worked within heritage building and visitor attractions for over 20 years. I started Leafi because I felt there was a gap in the market for a catering company which put the quality of food above all else. My passion is for good honest food and working with a team of people I respect and have a great deal of fun with.

My main focus is on day to day operation, client communication and figures, but I keep an eye on all parts of the business.

liam@leafi.co.uk

Fiona Barber
Founder

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My background has been bars and events, working at the Royal Festival Hall and City Conference Centre. After taking time out to raise my children I wanted a new challenge.

Since founding Leafi with Liam, I have built on my passion for event planning to ensure all aspects of the events Leafi run are delivered with an attention to detail that is second to none.

fiona@leafi.co.uk

Rod Kemp
Company Director

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I believe food is more than a source of fuel. It’s a pleasure and should be enjoyed as such. I trained as an accountant, but soon realised it didn’t excite me as much as food does. I have worked in museums and galleries over the last 20 years and understand the complexities of running such organisations as well as the need to enhance the overall customer experience.

rod@leafi.co.uk

Sandro Cortese
Office Manager

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I run the finance department where I have a hands-on approach to managing the accounts of all the Leafi sites and ensuring all controls are in place. I am here to support and train at site level. Travel and new culture are my pursuits.

sandro@leafi.co.uk

Vanessa Lam
Food Development

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At the age of ten I won a cake competition in a women's magazine with a Dundee cake. From then on I knew I wanted to cook and the rest is history. I ran my own successful business for 20 years, ‘Ransomes Dock’ in Battersea but Leafi is my new calling. I oversee the cooks and kitchens and I ensure consistent delivery throughout the business.

vanessa@leafi.co.uk

Paula De Silva
Warner Bros.

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Working at Warner Bros London Head office, Time Warner with a numerous separated divisions including television, home video, theatrical, online and consumer products. I started working in catering in 1993. My first job was at the Barbican Centre as catering assistant and I ended up gaining passion for hospitality. The customers, food and days are never the same. Reading and discovering new places to eat are just two of the things I enjoy outside of work.

Café and Hospitality Manager
Warner Bros.

paula.dasilvatrancoso@wbconsultant.com

Sueli Pinheiro
St John's

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I have had a career in catering for 18 years and I am passionate about food and service. I previously worked at Dulwich Picture Gallery for 16 years and joined Leafi Catering a year and a half ago. I have known Liam and Fiona for many years and they are as passionate about food and service as I am and I believe we make a great fit. I enjoy travelling, dining out at some of London's most reputable restaurants and spending time with my family and friends.

General Manager
Footstool Restaurant

sueli@leafi.co.uk

Catarina Jacques
Burgh House

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Events producer, project manager, experienced in customer service, all put together with my passion about art made me a Leafi manager at Courtauld Institute of Art. The possibilities to combine visual arts and food are my motivation in catering. As a professional in dance, Dance and Travel are my hobbies in my personal life.

General Manager
Burgh House

catarina@leafi.co.uk

Jodie Thompson
Foundling Museum

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I have over nine years hospitality experience working in a range of venues including a 17th century guesthouse in Winchester and a private members club in Pall Mall. I have a passion for the industry and strive in a customer focused environment. I have a love for planning and logistics which come from my events past and studying a BA Honours Degree in Events Management. Outside of work I love to travel, cook and spend time with family and friends.

Café and Events Manager
Foundling Museum

jodie@leafi.co.uk

Netto Aldemar
Geffrye Museum

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I joined Leafi in 2014 and have worked at the Courtauld Gallery, Whitechapel and Geffrye Museum. I truly love working in the hospitality industry with a passion for customer service, working as a team and client relations. In my spare time you will find me shopping or eating somewhere new.

Café and Events Manager
Geffrye Museum

netto@leafi.co.uk

Karolina Grazulyte
Courtauld Gallery

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I am an ambitious individual whose agenda is all about going the extra mile to create a mouth-watering food experience and give excellent customer service. From an early age I have had a passion for catering and hospitality which has led me to study Hospitality and Tourism Management in the UK. During my studies I have gained valuable knowledge, which helps me in my current job as catering manager of the Courtauld Gallery.

General Manager
Courtauld Gallery

Leafi.Leafi@courtauld.ac.uk

Adam Rushton
Playhouse B&K

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I am a hospitality professional, restaurateur and caterer. I took a hotel and catering diploma at college after school before my first position as a commis sommelier at Lucknam Park, Bath. I studied at the Ritz, London before a season on the Isle of Sark to control a restaurant for the first time.

I opened Rushton’s Delicatessen in 2002, customer service awards and even ‘Retailer of the Year’ helped progress the business. An outside catering company ran from 2005 to 2009 performing large events and functions.

Café and Events Manager
Playhouse Bar & Kitchen

playhouse@leafi.co.uk

James Noakes
Turner

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A trained chef and a passionate foodie. Working my way up from Commis to Head Chef and working in many prestigious venues including Canterbury Cathedral & Leeds castle before moving into management. Along the way I achieved a HND in hospitality management. In the years prior to joining Leafi I have held senior management roles in hotels, conference & event centres and leisure venues. For me provenance is the key focus, it must be local, sustainable and ethically produced. Working with local suppliers, farmers and growers gives us amazing produce and supports the local community.

General Manager
Turner Contemporary

JNoakes@turnercontemporary.org

Richard Shaw
Foyles

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Joined Leafi in September 2010. My background is in general management of mutli faceted sites, overseeing the operations, ensuring key customer service standards are met and delivering financially. I have worked at many of London’s prestigious venues including The Orangery at Kensington Palace, Tower of London, The British museum, St John’s Smith Square and Waterstones Piccadilly. My primary focus is ensuring both the customers and the clients are well looked after, and happy.

General Manager
the Café at Foyles

richard@leafi.co.uk

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About Us

The Team

Liam FarrellFounder

Fiona BarberFounder

Rod KempCompany Director

Sandro CorteseOffice Manager

Vanessa LamFood Development

Paula De SilvaWarner Bros.

Sueli PinheiroSt John's

Catarina JacquesBurgh House

Jodie ThompsonFoundling Museum

Netto Aldemar Geffrye Museum

Karolina GrazulyteCourtauld Gallery

Adam RushtonPlayhouse B&K

James Noakes Turner

Richard ShawFoyles

Liam Farrell
Founder

Fiona Barber
Founder

Rod Kemp
Company Director

Sandro Cortese
Office Manager

Vanessa Lam
Food Development

Paula De Silva
Warner Bros.

Sueli Pinheiro
St John's

Catarina Jacques
Burgh House

Jodie Thompson
Foundling Museum

Netto Aldemar
Geffrye Museum

Karolina Grazulyte
Courtauld Gallery

Adam Rushton
Playhouse B&K

James Noakes
Turner

Richard Shaw
Foyles