Nicole Pisani

Nicole Pisani is a chef who has worked at Yotam Ottolenghi’s Soho restaurant NOPI and Anna Hansen’s The Modern Pantry in London. Within 18 months of working at NOPI, Nicole was promoted to head chef in charge of the kitchen team. It was an incredible learning experience and her love for food was stimulated every day. That passion was ignited while travelling and then working in Australia. Working at Selah at Circular Quay in Sydney opened Nicole’s mind to food and cooking. She returned to her home in Malta and became head chef of the family restaurant, Snoopy’s, where Nicole’s innovation, creativity and rib-eye steaks built a strong following. A few years later, and Nicole was drawn to the food scene of London. In 2014, after answering a tweet from Henry Dimbleby, co-author of the School Food Plan, Nicole became the chef at Gayhurst Community School in Hackney. She couldn’t resist the opportunity to cook for children (more than 500 children every day), to share her love of food with growing minds. It has been one of her greatest, but most rewarding challenges to date. Nicole is passionate about highlighting the many amazing women who run kitchens all over the world, and the biggest compliment you can give her is your empty plate. Read about her most recent school adventures in The Guardian.