Meet Jacqueline Wise Chef
Expert in her Field
Bringing people together through good food has always been a passion and joy for our founder and Head Chef Jacqueline, an adventurous spirit and nature lover, always happiest outdoors.
Originally completing a History Degree and working in an unfulfilling London corporate role, Jacqueline's passion for connection through cookery inspired her to re-train as a Professional Chef in 2013. She completed The Cordon Bleu Diploma at Tante Marie Culinary Academy and holds a Level 4 Diploma in Professional Culinary Arts. She has worked at The Ritz London, two Michelin Star restaurants, Buckingham Palace and many inspirational establishments throughout her career.
Jacqueline is an ambassador for Eat Wild and Sussex Underwater, and also a member of Pasture for Life and the Sussex Wildlife Trust.
Creative, Ethical Cooking
Jacqueline loves to hunt, fish, forage and grow her ingredients, as well as showcase local producers. Cooking outdoors over fire where possible, she is passionate about building a likeminded community of nature-loving foodies who care about their own and other's wellbeing, and that of the planet. To her, it is all connected. Her aim is to tie rustic authenticity and sophisticated indulgence, while producing truly exceptional and memorable moments for every client, and to inspire others to do the same in their own kitchens of any level.
Jacqueline has been on both TV and BBC Radio, including winning the Channel 4 show 'Win it cook it' with Simon Rimmer. She has worked with notable chefs including Nigella Lawson, Anthony Boudain and Ludo Lefebvre, as well as many unsung heroes of the hospitality world, crafting her menus and growing her knowledge.
Jacqueline is a regular demo chef and presenter at Food Festivals such as Smoke and Fire (UK's Biggest BBQ Festival) and South Downs Food Festival. She is known for her fun sense of humour and energy on stage, as she tries to change the world, one stomach at a time!
Inspiring Change & Connection
Jacqueline's cooking style embraces her European heritage, with a lean towards traditional French & Mediterranean cuisine. In her menu design and recipe development she specialises in game, sea-food, fire-cookery and wild flavours. Jacqueline also loves elevating classic recipes to their ultimate potential. Classics are classics for a reason!
As an experienced gardener and hedgerow forager, based near Chichester, West Sussex, Jacqueline is surrounded by an abundance of fantastic ingredients from Selsey lobster to wild samphire. This has fostered a passion for hyper-seasonal and organic produce, with a focus on soil health. Her aim is to educate our growing audience about the importance of how we source and cook our meals, reduce food waste, improve our own mental and physical health and the health of the planet, through cooking outdoors and with nature in mind.
What We Do
The ingredients we use are ethical, seasonal, sourced locally, and served with passion and flair. We are based near Chichester in West Sussex and offer our services across Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.
What do we offer?
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Dinner party catering in your own home or holiday home
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Luxury 10 course tasting menu experiences
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Private party catering including canapés, sit down meals, BBQs, buffets, bowl food and more
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Corporate event catering and design including workshops and team building activities
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Retreat catering specialising in UPF free, ethically sourced seasonal food
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Foraging & Fire Cookery demos and experience days for groups
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Brand collaborations including pop-ups, content creation and more
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Wedding catering available through our sister company Kelmsley Catering
We cater for all dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free. Bespoke menus are available upon request for all needs, individual requests are seen as a point for creativity and are never a problem.
With experience creating stylish and inspirational events for leading brands and high profile individuals, we can help your vision become reality. Not just your menu, but also with immersive cooking experiences, event styling, creative bar services, pop up kitchens, marquee and equipment hire, time plans, floristry, on the day coordination and much more.
Meet the Team
Since 2013 we have grown to include a happy band of creative individuals who share our Founder's enthusiasm, high standards and exceptional attention to detail in all things food. Jacqueline has personally trained every private chef and front of house team member in the specific recipes, cooking skills, plating techniques and level of service we offer and pride ourselves on.
Private Chef
Chef Tom
Tom is our resident expert on high calibre service (having served Queen Elizabeth II twice)! Having previously run a large hospitality agency and managing at many prestigious events such as Royal Ascot, Cheltenham Gold Cup and running the Harry Bloom restaurant at Brighton Amex stadium he took a culinary change and joined Chef Jacqueline. Our in house development has brought Tom's passion for cooking up to the high JWC standards and he is proud to now call himself Chef.
Private Chef
Chef Hayley
With years of experience in private dining, Hayley loves creating memorable food experiences with a personal touch. Passionate and creative in the kitchen, she pays close attention to every detail to make each dish special. Always eager to grow, Hayley has picked up a variety of culinary skills through cooking courses around the world.
Private Chef
Chef Vicki
Having know Head Chef Jacqueline for many years, Vicki has progressed leaps and bounds in her chef skills through the JWC development training. She now is equally skilled on the BBQ as on the hob, and loves delivering our incredible dishes to our deliciously high standards. Vicki also has quite the talent for singing and dance, being part of a Spice Girls tribute band!
Private Chef
Chef Izzy
With a wealth of experience as a private chef, working high end weddings and in top Chalets, Izzy's passion for good food and cookery never fails to inspire. She loves to cook vegetarian and vegan food especially, focusing on using the seasons as a guide. She is also a ceramic artist which helps to bring a creative energy to her work in interesting ways. Izzy has worked with Jacqueline for over 5 years, and particularly enjoys creative food presentation and pastry work.
Private Chef
Chef Karleen
Having worked with Jacqueline for nearly half a decade, there isn't a recipe of Jacqueline's chef Karleen doesn't know. A true foodie, her meticulous preparation for private dining, passion for good food and excellent sense of humour makes her a popular chef with our regular customers. From Australia originally but having travelled the world, she is particularly passionate about Mediterranean food, with her favourite dessert being the perfect panna cotta, yum!
Private Chef
Chef Sam
With over 25 years of experience in the culinary world, Sam has worked in leading head chef roles across the South in high end restaurants and award winning establishments. He is organised, professional and always ready for a quick joke and a smile to keep the kitchen atmosphere tip top. His cooking is creative, with excellent presentation and we are lucky to have someone with his knowledge and wisdom as part of our team.
Customer Service
Mini
With 25 years of experience in corporate events, we are fortunate to have Mini's support in the office for all areas of organisation and logistics. Her attention to detail is ferocious, and she brings motivation, dedication and an unstoppable vibrance to the family! When she is not busy organising us, she can be found in the kitchen ensuring all of our food is up to scratch! A dedicated food lover, she also enjoys long walks on the beach with her beloved terrier building up an appetite for our next event!
The Front of House Team
David, Lou, Tom, Emily, Andy, Sally, Oscar, Bea and many more...
Our front of team are a professional and friendly bunch who pride themselves on their personal service. With decades of catering and event experience between them and personal training from Jacqueline, they help our chefs to prep your food, as well as serving, clearing and washing up, all with a smile!
We can offer a bar service for larger events, serving the drinks you supply.
If you are a chef or hospitality professional wanting a better work-life balance, or a skilled home cook looking for new opportunities please get in touch, as Jacqueline is always looking to welcome new team members.