Team

Nigel

Director

Since founding the business in 2003, Nigel Kennedy has built up an award-winning company with one of the best reputations in Scotland.

He started his career as a Restaurant Manager in Edinburgh and went on to learn professional cookery, finally becoming a head chef.

Nigel believes every Appetite client is an A-lister, and his ongoing objective is to ensure Appetite Events surpass the expectation of every client, every time, regardless of the scale of event planned.

It is his desire to run an ethical business; one that supports local suppliers and uses seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. This is very important, and Nigel is a strong believer in contributing to local communities and projects.

Philly

Director of Events & Marketing

Our Director of Events & Marketing, Philly Nicholson, joined Appetite in 2008, bringing with her a vast knowledge and great passion for events from experience working at prestigious venues such as the Glen Tanar Estate and the Signet Library.

Philly has pioneered many impressive events, including the Rolex Winter Wonderland; the Champions of Tennis; Dinner for Cartier; and successfully pulled off the daunting task of transforming a chicken shed into a banqueting hall.

An innovative creator, but a real stickler for detail, she enjoys getting to the very heart of what a client is trying to achieve. When it comes to translating a brief, and understanding the theatre of events, the sky is the limit; and Philly enjoys pulling the talented Appetite team together to brainstorm ideas that can successfully transform a client’s dreams into reality.

Over the years, Philly has helped grow the business into the thriving events company it is today, based on exceeding expectations with every event we organise, and has established a busy and happy sales team who benefit from her vast industry knowledge.

Kirsty

Director of Operations

As our Director of Operations, Kirsty Campbell can call on a her vast experience gained across a wide range of roles within the Events Industry; from sponsorship, event management and production, to sales, marketing and logistics.

Throughout, Kirsty has produced and delivered events for some of the largest brands in the UK including, IRN-BRU, Standard Life Investments, Aston Martin, Heineken and RBS, to name but a few.

With creative flare and a keen eye for detail, Kirsty is proficient in ensuring our clients events are delivered to brief, budget and on brand, ensuring best practice, no matter the scale. As a hands-on Director, you can be sure to find her mucking in on events with the whole team.

Rachel

Events Manager

Being a lady who loves food and loves a party, Rachel Haenow fitted right into the Appetite team when she joined as our Events Manager, in March 2017.

Having studied Events Management at QMU, Rachel launched her career in Edinburgh’s top hotels, upon graduation. With a wealth of experience, she loves working on special events: everything from Gala Dinners to creating your best Birthday bash.

When planning any event, the first consultation with a client is her favourite stage - ‘we’re great listeners!’ Every event is bespoke and it’s the point in the process to discuss all options, where everything is up for discussion, and every idea  – big and small – can be considered.

Robyn

Events Manager

Robyn Gilliland joined the Appetite team as Events Manager in early summer 2018.

Bringing vast experience having planned many events in fantastic venues from the Scottish Borders all the way up to John O’ Groats she is great at locating the perfect venue for an event.

Spending the last few years focusing on weddings, this is where her true passion lies. She is our ‘go to’ wedding planner within the team. She particularly loves it when brides bring a wildcard to the ‘table’, looking to add their own unique spin on their big day. After all that’s what it is all about!

Connie

Front of House & Operations Manager

Our Front of House Manager, Connie, is one of the newest additions to the Appetite team. After completing a degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management, Connie has held a number of managerial positions in the hospitality industry. Her skills gained first-hand and experience of working and travelling abroad, heightened her appreciation for good food and wine, and passion for working with people. This is what led her into this exciting, challenging and ever-changing career.

In her role, she ensures that Appetite events, which are intricately planned and coordinated by our Sales team, are delivered smoothly and efficiently onsite, with our fantastic event staff behind her.

Pippa

Marketing Manager

Pippa Dougherty has been working with Appetite as our Marketing Manager, developing marketing strategy and activity since March 2015. Having worked in the luxury goods sector for more than 18 years, she brings a wealth of experience and an exceptionally high standard of work to the team.  

Previously a long-standing client, she has seen first-hand the team’s passion for creating exceptionally delicious, varied menus and delivering beautiful events on numerous occasions.

Iain

Executive Chef

Iain Thomson joined the Appetite team in November 2018 and is enjoying his new challenge.

He discovered his passion for cooking whilst growing up in the Caribbean and knew from a young age that he wanted to be a chef. On moving to Edinburgh, he was quick to find his first job in a kitchen and has loved it ever since. He gained fine dining experience working under Neil Forbes at The Atrium and Martin Wishart.

After a season working in the Limousin in South-Central France, he returned to Edinburgh to work at Café St Honore and this is where he really learned the importance of sustainable cooking. Iain believes in using local seasonal produce that is responsibly sourced. A belief that was strengthened when he worked at Timberyard.

Ewan

Head Chef

Having worked previously as a Head Chef in Edinburgh restaurants, Ewan Mathieson joined the kitchen team in 2014 as our Senior Sous Chef, bringing to bear his wide variety of experience. He has cooked for politicians and Nobel Award winners; and he was personal chef to Chris Patten, the last Governor of Hong Kong. With more than 20 years’ experience, Ewan brings a great depth of skill to the kitchen and is notably admired by the team for his butchery skills and bread-making.

Ciaran

Sous Chef

Ciaran’s desire to be a chef followed a week of work experience with the Roxburghe Hotel’s kitchen team at the age of 13. This early experience gave him the drive to stick in and finish school. He joined Purslane Restaurant as a kitchen porter towards the end of his 5th year, working every section of the kitchen and progressing to sous chef over time. Ciaran continued to develop his career when he joined the Balmoral Hotel, gaining experience working for a bigger operation and along side some great chefs, including Jeff Bland.

Ciaran is delighted to have joined the Appetite Events team and is looking forward to developing experience in a different aspect of the hospitality industry, whilst fulfilling his passion for delivering outstanding, sustainable food.

Gerson

Kitchen Assistant

Originally from Brazil, Gerson Felippetto loves to travel, speaks many languages and has worked all over the world. Now, his multi-tasking skills are invaluable as our Kitchen Assistant and his happy outlook on life is a welcome addition to the team.

His favourite thing about Appetite is the team – and he says the staff lunches are pretty amazing too!

Alan

Kitchen Assistant

Alan Bailey joined the team at Appetite on a voluntary basis in early 2017 and quickly became an integral part of the team. Later that year he took up a full-time position as kitchen assistant. Alan’s interest in cooking started when he left school. His position in the Appetite kitchen has allowed for his continued learning and he is enjoying developing modern cooking skills and techniques.

Richard

Stores & Logistics

Since 2017, Richard Atkinson has been the face of Appetite Events ensuring the safe transportation of everything we require to deliver our fantastic events. With his super, sunny disposition, Richard is a vital part of the team and nothing is too much trouble; always going above and beyond to help throughout the whole business wherever he can.