The Team at Fuel for Learning
Damian Currie, Founding Director & Executive Chef
“My kids have been complaining about bad school food for years, so when Nuno approached me to start this project, I thought it would be a great new adventure and something I’d love to be involved in. Producing freshly prepared, healthy & tasty food on a tight budget has proved challenging but absolutely possible.
I have been a chef since I left school. It has allowed me the opportunity to travel around the world & I have spent time working in some great restaurants in The South West, Toronto & Vancouver before finally settling here in London. My first love is Italian food where my passion for fresh, clean & unfussy flavours first took root and still drives how I like to cook today."
Casey Parry, Chef
Casey has been with the crew at Hackney New Primary School since 2018. In that time we’ve seen him grow into an excellent & capable chef, cooking for big numbers and handling the pressures of service in the same way he handles everything; good humour and a positive attitude. Casey continues to be a huge asset to our team here at FFL.
Born and raised in London Fields, Casey is a local boy through and through.
Emilio Garcia, Kitchen Assistant
Emilio joined our team in 2020 in the middle of the Covid Pandemic. That was a challenging time for Fuel for Learning, when we needed to adapt lunch services on a weekly basis in line with government guidelines.
In spite of those challenges, Emilio has been fantastic throughout. With his great attitude and proactive work ethic, he has been a welcome addition to the team!
Emilio was born in Argentina but grew up in Madrid before moving to London to study English & Psychology.
Sharon Bryan, Mealtime Supervisor
Sharon has worked with us since 2018 and has always been a key member of the team. She is adaptable, reliable and absolutely lovely with the students.
Sharon is from Tottenham, North London but has lived in the US where she has family. She currently lives locally, in East London.
Nuno Mendes, Founding Director
Nuno is a director and co-founder of Fuel for Learning. He is an acclaimed chef and restauranteur and brings a wealth of expertise to the team. Nuno’s passion for good quality ingredients and ethical practises has helped to shape Fuel for Learning’s ethos.
Nuno is from Lisbon, Portugal. He has spent his career working all over the world. notably in the United States where he trained at the California Culinary Academy in San Fransisco.
Nuno now lives in London Fields with his partner and children.