About Cheeky
“When Cheeky say they love what they do….they mean it!” - Patty Cappelleris, CBA
With an impressive combination of business, cooking, training, public speaking and presentation skills, Director Leona Watson and her team of Chefs and Event Managers, are ready to take your next event or conference to another level.
We’re not interested in doing same-old cooking classes or even standard food presentations…we’re 100% committed to making everything we do a fun and memorable, interactive EVENT! Why? Because we love it! And we know it works for our clients.
Your Cheeky Director – Leona Watson
Before Leona started Cheeky Food Group, she was a successful marketing consultant for both large and small corporations, including Microsoft in the UK, Optus, CBA, QANTAS, Virgin Mobile and MBF. She also worked in event management organising Australia Day activities and the massive Fosters Great Aussie Picnic in Brisbane for 60,000 and 100,000 people respectively. Yes big parties!
But her love of cooking, entertaining and throwing great parties sent her to the Whitsundays to work on a yacht as a cook and tour guide, then to complete Le Cordon Bleu training. Cheeky is the fulfilment of a long held dream….”to combine my corporate background and business skills, with my love of entertaining and bringing people together. Come to my place and you’re likely to end up in the kitchen …even if it’s pouring the cook a vino! Cheeky makes me smile every day, especially when I see our clients and our staff so happy with what we create”.
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Leona Watson
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As Leona says, “I have a very simple philosophy in life…if it’s not fun, I’m not interested! But it can’t be frivolous either. So by making Cheeky fun, professional and successful, we do the same for our clients. Our objective is to create big smiles all round and to bring people together, which is what being “Cheeky” is all about. And yes we all love a great party!”
“When I worked in large corporations, I had to arrange team and client
events, so I know how stressful it is to find something that suits everyone, and to please the people who’ve ‘done it all’. I can honestly say that Cheeky offers the best group event I’ve been to…and I’ve been to plenty! I personally
100% guarantee it”.
The Cheeky Team!
Name… Richard Chancellor
Position…Executive Chef
Life before Cheeky…Originally from England I came to Australia to visit a girlfriend (now my wife) while on a round the world trip. I was into good food before living in Australia but Sydney really got me hooked.
Favourite Dish…a whole salt baked ocean trout with an authentic French salsa verde. The freshness of the ingredients, the simplicity of the preparation combined with the sensational flavour always brings a smile to my face.
What I love about working with Cheeky… I love how am constantly reminded about the power of food, how doing a simple human act like cooking together can have such a positive effect on people.The champagne may help too!
Name…Suzanne Sprod
Position…Marketing and Sales
Life before Cheeky…Suzanne has over 8 years experience in marketing and events with her roles taking her from the corporate world to training and beyond!
Favourite Dish…Can’t go past anything that has Chorizo, pine nuts and Danish feta! Works with pasta, pizza, almost anything!
What I love about working with Cheeky…finally being able to combine
my passion for event management with my love of food and throwing a great party!
Name…Jason Ludwig
Position…Head Chef
Life before Cheeky… Jason has worked over 15 years in the industry working with a range of chefs from Tetsuya’s and Aria restaurants to name a couple.
Favourite Dish… OH definitely, Chocolate Ganache Torte in Chocolate Pastry with Kahlua Mascarpone and Hazelnut Praline.
What I love about working with Cheeky...I am a people person and I always loved teaching my apprentices and being able to bring out their passion. Now that is exactly what I do but with people who didn’t even know they were going to cook.
Name… Christina Stagg
Position… Sales and Accounts
Life before Cheeky… I worked in a variety of admin & customer Service roles while travelling extensively. From Hotels to Health Clubs, to Department Stores. I even taught theatre at a Summer Camp in the US!
Favourite Dish… As a severe chocoholic I love indulgence food. Waffles with melted chocolate and strawberries would just about make my day!
What I love about working with Cheeky… The fun factor! Working for a company that helps people have a ball is fantastic. It’s great to be passionate about your product and pass this passion on to the clients.
Name…Darren Mallett
Position…Cheeky Chef
Life before Cheeky… With over 19 years of sleeves rolled up restaurant work, I’ve also
enjoyed hosting “Blokes in the Kitchen” culinary demonstrations with sporting celebrities
Favourite Dish… SEAFOOD and eat it. Anything seafood brings childhood memories of collecting pipis to make fritters on the beach and lazing in a tidal pool after excess indulgence on oysters straight from the rocks.
What I love about working with Cheeky… SATISFACTION. Watching the clients, individually and as a team create a Cheeky banquet. I get to see close up the process of their learning, their team thinking and their culinary efforts.
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