Innovative Ways to Build Confidence & Overcome Challenges in Hospitality – Monday 24th February – Craft Guild of Chefs Wellness Event

Date: Monday, 24th February 2025

Time: 5.15pm - 7pm

Location: Extract Coffee Roasters, London
5 Morocco Street
London SE1 3HB

Price: FREE

Tickets: Available here

Confidence Building in Hospitality

Join Craft Guild of Chefs Wellness Ambassador Andy Aston and an inspiring panel of female industry leaders including Women in the Food Industry co-founder Mex Ibrahim as they share personal stories of resilience, building confidence, and achieving success in the hospitality industry. Discover how they’ve tackled challenges head-on, and leave with practical, actionable tips to boost your confidence and support your colleagues in doing the same. This session promises to be both insightful and inspiring.

We are delighted to be part of the first Craft Guild of Chefs Wellness event of 2025.

The panel includes

Mex Ibrahim - Co-Founder Women in The Food Industry - Confidence building hospitality

Mex Ibrahim
For almost 8 years Mex Ibrahim was Head of Marketing & Social Media at Great British Chefs – the UK’s fastest growing food website. In April 2019 Mex co-founded Women In The Food Industry. It became a Community Interest Company in July 2023 and is THE place for conversation, insight, podcasts, stories, news, resources & community support as women across all verticals of the UK food industry face obstacles of inequality & inclusion.

Mex is also MD of her own freelance social media, digital marketing and content creation agency, a member of the Guild of Food Writers, an Associate of the Royal Society of Public Health, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, sits on the Editorial Advisory Board for New Food Magazine and is Trustee of the charity School Food Matters.

Chef Ruth Hansom

Ruth Hansom
Ruth Hansom became the first-ever female Craft Guild of Chefs Young National Chef of the Year. She has since represented the UK on the world stage at the World Skills Finals and reaching the finals of BBC’s Great British Menu. Her achievements showcase her extraordinary talent and unwavering determination. Her tenure at The Princess of Shoreditch solidified her position as one of the most outstanding young chefs globally, earning the restaurant a prestigious place in the Michelin Guide and 3 AA Rosettes. Beyond the accolades, Ruth’s cooking reflects a unique blend of innovation, respect for provenance, and a steadfast commitment to sustainability.

After spending 10 years in London, Ruth returned to her North Yorkshire roots, where her time at the Swinton Estate further strengthened her connection to local ingredients and culinary traditions. In February 2024, she embarked on her most personal project to date: Hansom Restaurant and Wine Bar. This venture brings her journey full circle, offering a dining experience that showcases her years of learning, experimentation, and mastery of her craft.

Sarah Frankland - Executive Chef

Sarah Frankland
Sarah Frankland joined Pennyhill Park in 2016 as Head Pastry Chef and is now Executive Chef at the resort property in Surrey. As a highly experienced and respected Pastry Chef and one of the UK’s leading voices in pâtisserie and chocolate craft, Sarah brings significant experience and a fresh approach to the role, and has taken a less than conventional path to the position of Executive Chef. She is responsible for sourcing and the supply chain management, along with the organisation of the different kitchens across the resort and the professional development of the hotel’s chefs.

She has enjoyed great success within the kitchen while also adding a spoil of high-profile accolades.  In 2019 she won Craft Guild Of Chefs Pastry Chef Of The Year, was awarded Best Afternoon Tea by Hotel F&B magazine and appeared as a finalist in Channel 4’s Bake Off: The Professionals.

Prior to this Sarah has also won The Caterer’s Acorn Award along with commendations at the World Chocolate Masters, Mövenpick Gourmet Dessert Chef, and a William Heptinstall Scholarship.

April Lily Partridge

April Lily Partridge
April Lily Partridge is a 31 year old British Chef, from Chingford. She has been a chef since she was 17 years old, starting at the original “The Ivy” in Covent Garden where she learnt the basics under her first mentor Gary Lee. Having competed in competitions as a young cook such as the Craft Guild of Chefs Young National Chef of the Year coming runner up and winning the Observer Food Monthly Young Chef of the Year in 2014.  She moved on to work at The Clove Club under Isaac Mchale and then travelled to New York for a one year visa at Blue Hill at Stone Barns under Dan Barber.

When she returned to London, she went to work at The Ledbury under Brett Graham who became her mentor, where she fell in love with the passion and rare energy of the restaurant. April worked here for just under 2 years before covid struck, and during the pandemic she kept herself busy working at Notting Hill Fish Shop, opening up her own business Prils Pantry and gaining 3rd place at NCOTY in 2022 becoming the highest placed woman in the history of the competition . When the Ledbury reopened she returned as Sous Chef, where she stayed for another 2 1/2 years and was part of the team that achieved 3 Michelin Stars and Number 1. Restaurant in the Country at The National Restaurant Awards 2024. She also won the “One To Watch” award at the NRA in 2023.

Her biggest achievement to date is winning The Roux Scholarship in 2023, becoming only the 2nd woman in the award’s history to win the competition. She is currently working as a Development chef for Opus Provisions under her previous Head Chef Matt Hewlett (Ledbury), working directly with suppliers and helping to source the best of British produce. She hopes to open a restaurant and bakery of her own in the future.

Yvette Janse van Rensburg

Yvette Janse van Rensburg
Yvette Janse van Rensburg is a Performance Coach who specialises in helping burnt-out but driven individuals in demanding industries unlock their potential and achieve sustainable success. She’s rewriting the narrative on the connection between health and career success.

With 15 years of experience working with corporate leaders and high achievers, Yvette’s unique approach blends evidence-based strategies from sports psychology, behavioural science, and health optimisation to build resilience, confidence, and sustainable performance.

Passionate about empowering individuals to thrive under pressure, Yvette has worked extensively with professionals navigating high-stress environments, including services sectors. She deeply understands what it takes to excel when the stakes are high, and the pace is relentless.

On this panel, Yvette will share practical insights on building unshakable confidence, tackling challenges with clarity, and creating a ripple effect of empowerment that extends beyond your career into every area of your life. Expect actionable strategies and inspiring stories to help you tackle your next big move with confidence and purpose.

Register for your free ticket & find out more here

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