Pastry chef Matt Jones came to London from his native Seattle three years ago with his wife, and settled quickly into life in Angel, Islington. Following a career change in the US from graphic design, and many years managing a catering company and running catering departments, he decided to go freelance, which is how he now teaches regularly at our fabulous Central Street Cookery School.

He regularly runs Ready Steady Cook classes at St Luke’s for over 55s in south Islington who want to learn how to use up produce from their fridge and cook healthy meals at home. He is also part of our Monthly Cookery Club, where chefs with different specialities host an evening event in the Cookery School. As Matt says: “There’s a special atmosphere and people are willing to learn and want to be part of it. It’s about more than food, and the social interaction and teamwork are equally important elements”.

Matt was thrilled to be part of the Royal visit by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in March, but as an American he was not nervous about meeting Royalty. The enormity of the event hit him afterwards, particularly when he mentions to other people he prepared food with the future King of England!

Along with cookery classes at St Luke’s, Matt also works across London as a pastry chef. He loves the variety of work he gets involved with, and recently found himself at Lord’s Cricket Ground preparing desserts. According to Matt, London is a great place to be for a pastry chef, and they’re always in demand with a growing market for afternoon tea. However he’s now able to have a good balance between work and recreational time, which is something many chefs don’t have.

Matt will be running a Monthly Cookery Class at Central Street Cookery School on Wednesday 24^th October 2018.