"This wonderful team catered our wedding! Such fantastic food and truly lovely people!"
Sam
Meet the some of the Baba Team
Matthew Hyde - Director
By the time I was 10-years-old I knew I wanted to be a chef and got my first job four years later cleaning mussels on a Friday and Saturday night. After graduating from catering college I spent the next few years working my way up from commis chef to head chef in various restaurants across the North of England, working in some of the most highly recognised and acclaimed kitchens in the UK. I love being in the kitchen, experimenting with flavour combinations and creating truly individual dishes for our customers.
Favourite Baba Dish: Yorkshire Lamb with Pomegranate with Prunes
Favourite Restaurant: Big George's, Oisten’s Fish Fry, Barbados
Ashley Hyde - Director
I started my career in hotels at a young age, working for Best Western and Marriott International. From there I gained valuable experience managing weddings and large-scale events and soon found my passion for food, events and customer satisfaction. Creating Baba was a dream come true. Working with our customers and being part of their journey to deliver the perfect event menu is an experience I’ll never tire of.
Favourite Baba Dish: Coconut Dhal with Pomegranate
Favourite Restaurant: Katz’s Deli, New York
Shaun Clayborn - Executive Chef
Our Executive Chef Shaun is cool, calm and collected. His leadership skills in the kitchen are second to none. He has a seriously impressive resume, having worked in Michelin star restaurants, such as the Star Inn Herome, and then moved to York to work at the Star Inn The City, before joining the Baba family! His passion for food and culinary skills have elevated our fine dining menus, bringing restaurant style to outside catering.
Favourite Baba Dish: Fillet of Yorkshire Pork with Chestnut Crumb, Ash Baked Celeriac, Truffle Pomme Anna.
Favourite Restaurant: L'Enclume by Simon Rogan
Becky Britten - Office and Event Manager
Becky has impeccable attention to detail, fantastic organisational skills and a slight obsession with stationary! Her background in hospitality has provided her with exceptional customer service skills which, paired with her natural charisma and passion for events, makes her the perfect person to plan your event.
Favourite Baba Dish: Sharing Feast menu, especially the pulled lamb with pomegranates
Favourite Restaurant: Phranakhon Tapas, York
Maggie Coll - Event Coordinator
Maggie’s extensive background in events has given her a wealth of knowledge that is invaluable to the team. Originally from Ireland, Maggie is now well integrated into Yorkshire life. She loves a logistical challenge and her creative nature makes her a brilliant asset to the Baba team!
Favourite Baba Dish: Gluten Free Pie and Mash
Favourite Restaurant: Bear Street Tavern, Banff AB, Canada (Best GF Pizza)
Rebecca Claxton -Event Coordinator
Local Yorkshire lass Rebecca joined the Baba team after spending multiple years in Spain experiencing the culture and, of course, the food! She embodies everything that Baba is: Rebecca is positive, enthusiastic and always has a smile on her face!
Favourite Baba Dish: Whitby Crab and cucumber caviar
Favourite Restaurant: Ottolenghi, London
Gabby Beetham - Event Coordinator
Gabby has a wealth of knowledge in the weddings industry, with previous experience in event operations! Her friendly and positive approach to work has enabled her to provide the best quality of service to all our clients. Gabby has also taken on the role of running the Baba social media platforms, she is our Instagram queen!
Favourite Baba Dish: East Coast Fishcakes with Samphire & Sea Herbs Alioli
Favourite Restaurant: La Coppola, Leamington Spa
Naomi Ball - Event Coordinator
Naomi has recently joined the events team, where she has already showcased her professional characteristics and positive attitude to work! With previous experience in the hospitality industry, Naomi was the assistant manager at Pizza Express, so her customer service is second to none. There is a running joke in the office, and that is to not ask her to make a cup of tea!
Favourite Baba Dish: Wensleydale & Leek Bon Bon
Favourite Restaurant: Roost, Heaton Moor
Millie Oates - Events Intern
Millie brings lots of positive energy and banter to the events office! She is currently studying for a Business Management Degree at Northumbria University, and is using her summer here at Baba to develop her skills and experiences. Whether it's set up's, working weddings, or walking the office dog George, Millie takes everything in her stride!
Favourite Baba Dish: Hazelnut and Caramel Chocolate Tart with Creme Fraiche
Favourite Restaurant: Babucho, Newcastle
Molly Porter - Sous Chef IT
Small but mighty, Molly is a real force in the kitchen! No challenge is too great for Molly, and despite only joining the team this year, she has already had a massive impact. Having previously worked in AA Rosette kitchens, her cooking knowledge is way beyond her years. Always eager to get involved and help out with any task (whether it be in the kitchen or even in the event office!) she is a real asset to the team.
Favourite Baba Dish: Port Poached Fillet of Yorkshire Beef with Wild Garlic & Pernod Risotto
Favourite Restaurant: Joro, Sheffield
Ian - Junior Sous Chef
With an impressive 37 years of cooking experience and an impressive resume, Ian has a well-rounded knowledge of all things food! At Baba HQ, he always has a smile on his face and brings a warm, positive energy to the kitchen. He is always the first person to volunteer to help out, no matter the task, making him a valued member of the Baba team!
Favourite Baba Dish: Monk Fish, Puy Lentils and Smoked Pancetta
Favourite Restaurant: Sweet Basil, York
Danny Lytham - Junior Sous Chef
Danny is super positive in nature and is always keen to get involved and expand his cooking knowledge! His expertise in desserts makes him immensely popular among the team. His hazelnut and chocolate tart is, without a doubt, one of the best desserts on our menu!
Favourite Baba Dish: Yorkshire Beef Wellington
Favourite Restaurant: Roots, York
Martin Gavin - Junior Sous Chef/Prep Chef
Martin has been with us for nearly 2 years now, and with a wealth of experience, he is a brilliant and talented chef who really shines in the kitchen. Martin also has a fantastic sense of humour and the Baba family would not be the same without him!
Favourite Baba Dish: Chicken and Chorizo Cassuoulet.
Favourite Restaurant: Magpie, Whitby
Dave Horton - Chef De Partie
Dave has a real passion for food, with a wealth of experience in the industry! His cooking background has been dominated by Polish cuisine, before joining Baba he worked at the amazing Blue Barbakan in York. Dave always has a smile on his face, and is an excellent asset to the team!
Favourite Baba Dish: Hay Roasted Saddle of Venison, Truffle Pomme Anna, Juniper and Port Reduction
Favourite Restaurant: Le Cochon Aveugle
Damien Maciejewski - Chef De Partie
Damien is super positive and friendly, and is a great addition to our chef team! He has an impressive resume and wealth of experience as he has worked at numerous venues across Yorkshire, including Doncaster Racecourse. He has a real passion for desserts and pastries, we are so excited to see what new sweet treats he can create!
Favourite Baba Dish: Baba Chocolate Brownie
Favourite Restaurant: Joro, Sheffield
Hannah Smith - Commis Chef
Hannah has studied the culinary arts for many years, joining the Baba team after a four year degree in 'Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts Management'. A real sweet tooth, Hannah enjoys developing her baking skills and will be a driving force behind our Baba Bakery. Hannah has a quiet and gentle nature, but a confident approach towards cooking and never fails to bring exciting ideas to the kitchen!
Favourite Baba Dish: Traditional Sticky Toffee Pudding with Butterscotch, Brandy Snap and Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Favourite Restaurant: Wilderness in Birmingham
TJ - Prep Chef and Kitchen Porter
TJ has been a part of the Baba family for over a year now and without him our company just wouldn't be the same! Behind the scenes, TJ is always around to lend a hand and support the team with anything they need. Always up for a laugh and a bit of banter, the kitchen wouldn't be the same without him.
Favourite Baba Dish: Yorkshire Dales Saddle of Lamb
Favourite Restaurant: The King William