Experience

Shuk;

• United Kingdom
• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Founder & Director

  • Nov 2019 - Present

  Shuk is a market stall inspired by childhood memories of family, pita, spices & tahini. We have worked tirelessly to re-create those memories with recipes that taste incredible, stir our emotions, and remind us of those noisy meals shared with love. Our dishes are built on a foundation of Iraqi family recipes brought to Tel Aviv by Mark’s father in law Avi and his siblings in the 40’s. Mark spent weeks cooking with Avi to learn those incredible recipes. Back in London. Mark spent three months developing the Shuk menu on the foundation of these unique family recipes. Our baker Arik bakes next-level soft fluffy pita using a well- guarded method passed down through generations. Our friend Omer relentlessly travels the middle east sourcing the finest quality tahini, freshly ground spices, date honey & amba. All of these ingredients come together to create a truly soulful and special menu and culture that makes us immensely proud. Yalla! We can’t wait for you to taste our food and feel the emotion.



The Food Initiative - Bespoke Event Catering

• United Kingdom
• Hospitality

• Founder & Director

  • Mar 2017 - Present

  The Food Initiative is not your typical event caterer. We create extraordinary experiences through food. Food that delivers edible emotion in every bite. Food that your guests will remember for years to come. Our approach to creating events is as unique as the events we deliver. Our team, led by founder Mark Jankel and Head of Events, Charlotte Selbie, brings together exceptional culinary creativity and passion for food and drink with unrivalled event and operations expertise. From the first meeting to the day of your event, our team work personally with you to shape and bring your vision to life, creating incredible, innovative menus, stunningly presented and prepared using the finest ethical ingredients. Our events are bespoke, tailored to your specific needs. We don’t do set menus. We take the time to understand exactly what you want to achieve. We see each and every challenge as an opportunity to wow you and your guests, using the decades of experience we have across high-end bespoke catering, Michelin star restaurants and sexy, sustainable street-food. Over the years we have partnered with the best and most passionate experts in the industry to bring together a team that excels in every department. Come and talk to us about your vision and we will get to work to bring your ideas to life in ways you can’t imagine.



Street Kitchen

• Founder & Director

  • Oct 2010 - Feb 2017

  Street Kitchen, the first venture of its kind in the UK, sees Mark Jankel, chef and founder of The Food Initiative and Jun Tanaka, Executive Chef at Pearl Restaurant, take to the streets in an Airstream kitchen, cooking up gourmet food for Londoners to eat on the go. The New York-style street van sells a seasonal British menu, serving dishes such as Home Smoked Salmon and Braised Featherblade of Beef. All the produce and beverages are sourced directly from sustainable and organic UK farms and producers. Street Kitchen celebrates the wonderful produce that the UK has to offer and champions its growers and producers.



First Restaurant Group

• United Kingdom
• Hospitality
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Executive Chef

  • 2003 - 2009

  I opened and ran Notting Hill Brasserie for four years. The business was expanded to incorporate five restaurants and I moved into the role of Executive Chef for two years prior to leaving to set up Street Kitchen and The Food Initiative I opened and ran Notting Hill Brasserie for four years. The business was expanded to incorporate five restaurants and I moved into the role of Executive Chef for two years prior to leaving to set up Street Kitchen and The Food Initiative