Tante Marie - The Staff
Tante Marie takes enormous pride in its teaching staff, who are professionally qualified and bring with them a wide range of experience.To maintain the exceptionally high standard of the courses offered, the staff use a large part of their recess periods between terms for research and preparation. The staff/student ratio is very favourable with one teacher to a maximum of 10 students. Teamwork and dedication are the most vital ingredients of Tante Marie's success. Coupled with the philosophy that learning to cook is an enjoyable experience, this gives the School a unique, friendly atmosphere of caring and mutual co-operation within which students are inspired
to excel.
Andrew Maxwell
Managing Director and Principal
Andrew's association with Tante Marie began in 2006 when he was employed to assist the then principal, Marcella O'Donovan, with the day to day running of the school before becoming Deputy Principal in 2007. Andrew trained in 1998 and after spending 2 years teaching, went on to work in Australia's 2000 Restaurant of the Year, MG Garage, for two years before returning to London and working at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in Chelsea, and then Thyme in Clapham. He is involved with every aspect of the school and regularly teaches and examines the students.
Sue Alexander
Director of Studies
Sue Alexander also trained at Tante Marie and went on to gain a Certificate in Education. Sue returned to teach at Tante Marie and has headed Tante Marie's teaching since 1984. Sue's vast knowledge of the culinary arts and relentlessly high standards continue to inspire and encourage all our students.
Claire Alexander-Brown
Deputy Director of Studies
Claire is a former Tante Marie student. She graduated as top student in her class and has now been teaching at Tante Marie for 9 years. Whilst being heavily involved in the day to day management of the teaching staff and organisation of the courses at Tante Marie, Claire is also a popular and skilled teacher whose enthusiasm and approachable nature gives her a natural talent for getting the best out of our students. She has attained her Postgraduate Certificate in Education and has extensive experience in food styling, cake decorating and recipe development as well as being naturally artistic and creative after a background in floristry and private catering.
Alex
Gear
Alex has come from a background of teaching cookery. Trained in 1995, Alex then went on to work in private and contract catering, including private dining and events planning. Alex has been teaching since 2003 and has a City and Guilds 7407 Stage 2 teaching qualification. Her organised and methodical nature along with her professional experience shows in her teaching and is reflected in her students.
Ann-Marie Bowen
Annie, another graduate of Tante Marie, has recently attained her Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and has been teaching at Tante Marie for 6 years. Annie is an experienced food stylist which combined with her experience as a teacher, make her an example for the students to aspire to.
Helen Gray
Helen is a former graduate of Tante Marie. After graduating as top student in her class and working as a private chef, Helen went on to work for Marcus Wareing at the Savoy Grill and then in the Royal Kitchens at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral and Sandringham.
Vera Crawford
Vera is also a former Tante Marie graduate and top student in her year. After finishing at Tante Marie, she set up her own business in Indonesia which she sadly lost in the Tsunami in December 2005. She has worked tirelessly to re-build her career and brings a wealth of cooking experience to Tante Marie. She is passionate and devoted and accepts nothing less than perfection in her cooking. Her self discipline is an example and inspiration to students at Tante Marie.
Ally Molyneaux
Ally, another former Tante Marie graduate and also top student in her year, worked at Kensington Palace after graduation. She has now been teaching at Tante Marie for two years and her youth and enthusiasm have made her hugely popular amongst the staff and students. Ally also has a City and Guilds 7407 Stage 1 teaching qualification.
Debbie Volans – School Secretary
Debbie has recently joined team Tante Marie as PA to the Principal and School Secretary. In her previous life she was Communications and PR manager for a multi-media computer training and education company. When her husband was posted to Singapore she left the world of business and concentrated on raising her family. Since returning to the UK she has worked in Recruitment and helping her husband establish his Interim Management business.
Alex has come from a background of teaching cookery. Trained in 1995, Alex then went on to work in private and contract catering, including private dining and events planning. Alex has been teaching since 2003 and has a City and Guilds 7407 Stage 2 teaching qualification. Her organised and methodical nature along with her professional experience shows in her teaching and is reflected in her students.
Ann-Marie Bowen
Annie, another graduate of Tante Marie, has recently attained her Postgraduate Certificate in Education, and has been teaching at Tante Marie for 6 years. Annie is an experienced food stylist which combined with her experience as a teacher, make her an example for the students to aspire to.
Helen Gray
Helen is a former graduate of Tante Marie. After graduating as top student in her class and working as a private chef, Helen went on to work for Marcus Wareing at the Savoy Grill and then in the Royal Kitchens at Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, Balmoral and Sandringham.
Vera Crawford
Vera is also a former Tante Marie graduate and top student in her year. After finishing at Tante Marie, she set up her own business in Indonesia which she sadly lost in the Tsunami in December 2005. She has worked tirelessly to re-build her career and brings a wealth of cooking experience to Tante Marie. She is passionate and devoted and accepts nothing less than perfection in her cooking. Her self discipline is an example and inspiration to students at Tante Marie.
Ally Molyneaux
Ally, another former Tante Marie graduate and also top student in her year, worked at Kensington Palace after graduation. She has now been teaching at Tante Marie for two years and her youth and enthusiasm have made her hugely popular amongst the staff and students. Ally also has a City and Guilds 7407 Stage 1 teaching qualification.
Debbie Volans – School Secretary
Debbie has recently joined team Tante Marie as PA to the Principal and School Secretary. In her previous life she was Communications and PR manager for a multi-media computer training and education company. When her husband was posted to Singapore she left the world of business and concentrated on raising her family. Since returning to the UK she has worked in Recruitment and helping her husband establish his Interim Management business.