FOOD DURHAM ADVISORY BOARD

Simon Raine

OWNER, WEARDALE CHEESE & CHAIR, FOOD DURHAM

Simon Raine is the MD and Cheesemeaker at Weardale Cheese. Based in the unique setting of an old Prisoner of War camp hut at Harperley, Simon hand-makes a range of hard and semi-soft, white, blue and smoked cheeses, which he sells across the north east to farm shops, deli’s, pubs, restaurants and at food fairs and festivals. Graduating from Newcastle University with a BA (Hons) in Economics and Economic History, Simon’s career began in the dairy division of Northern Foods. Before establishing Weardale Cheese in 2015, he was MD of a York based distribution company for 15 years. Simon is currently starring in his own one-man show, ‘Confessions of a Cheesemaker’, where scores of W.I. ladies across Co. Durham endure his talk on cheese.

Amy Mycock

PROJECT OFFICER, OASES

Amy studied County Durham’s local food system for a Masters by research in Anthropology, Durham University (2009-2011).  Her time researching local food activism led her to establish Fruitful Durham, a social enterprise which gleans local surplus fruit, grows fruit trees and shares skills about fruit production and cooking.  Amy is a coordinator of Durham Local Food, a grassroots news sharing network and she is an administrator for an online County Durham local food directory.  She has also carried out research on school milk schemes, has taught a course on food writing skills and has conducted food democracy workshops.  Amy is one of the founders of Durham Food Cooperative which buys ethical and local foods for its members.

Paul Taylor

DIRECTOR OF CATERING, DURHAM UNIVERSITY

Paul is Acting Director of Catering for Durham University. He has worked as Deputy Director of Catering (Retail) for the past eight years, with responsibility for creating and implementing the strategic plan for all retail catering services. Working with colleagues Paul has ensured the department makes a positive contribution to the student experience, whilst maintaining financial sustainability. Paul continues to support the catering services at Queens Campus, combining retail catering services and college dining for both John Snow College and Stephenson College. Prior to joining the University Paul gained extensive experience working with Starbucks Coffee Company. Paul’s roles ranged from New Store Opening Specialist within the Republic of Ireland to District Manager within the North East and Cumbria. As District Manager Paul was responsible for achieving operational excellence across nine high volume stores with an annual turnover of £11 million.

Jamie Thomas

PUBLIC PROCUREMENT SPECIALIST

Jamie Thomas is a public procurement specialist with particular experience in the policy and practice of social value, sustainable supply chains, and small business engagement. Originally from Scotland, Jamie has lived in County Durham for 14 years. Until 2018 he worked for Durham County Council where he was the lead officer for sustainable procurement and social value, helping to ensure the Council delivered on its commitments to sustainable food procurement, favouring seasonal and local produce and supporting specific initiatives such as Sustainable Fish Cities. Now a civil servant he remains based in Durham and retains a passion for ensuring that the money spent by public bodies with their suppliers not only delivers their immediate business needs, but serves the wider public good.

Stuart Wray

Head of Catering- County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust

Dr. Bruce Scholten

ACADEMIC, DURHAM UNIVERSITY

Lucy Wearne

PROJECT AND RESEARCH MANAGER, VISIT COUNTY DURHAM