Creative food solutions for retail & restaurants

Stephen Parkins-Knight

Executive-level, international creative food know-how to support your business goals

Spk is an international leading edge food expert who specialises in ideation and knowledgeable solutions for the food retail and restaurant industry bringing a wealth of experience and creativity

” SPK is a total food nomad (possibly also because he never says “no” to a challenge and also because he’s a bit “mad”). Working with him has been an absolute pleasure and he has delivered way beyond what we expected.

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Having briefed him on an Indian food project, he offered well researched and very unique perspectives. The result has been truly inspired menu items. He’s not afraid to challenge either which makes him a very valuable team member. SPK is no longer considered to be a consultant we use – to me, he is like family. Now you tell anyone what I wrote and I’ll break your legs! 😉 ”

Adarsh Radia

Entrepreneur

“For seven years while I was MD at the Northampton-based Food-to-Go manufacturing business owned by Uniq and subsequently Greencore, we created a reputation as the best innovators in the industry.

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This was in no small measure due to the culinary creativity of Stephen Parkins-Knight or Spk. His excellent technical and creative skills combined with his breadth of food knowledge and understanding of food trends and his global perspective enabled us to deliver food-on-the move propositions that integrated the best of traditional skills with contemporary modernity to drive great commercial success. Steve is a great team player, easy to work with and good fun to be around. I would have no hesitation recommending him to any food business that values creative flair, contemporary thinking and practical effective applications of great culinary skill.”

Lochlain Feeley

Experienced Business Leader & Non-Exec - Food industry

“I have worked with SPK for a couple of years now. I have not met a chef more passionate about what we do than SPK. He is amazing to work with and a true Professional. He always has a can do attitude with making sure the end consumer is happy. He is SPK what else can I say.”

Scott Solar

Thai Union | Group Director of Global Food Service and Culinary Development

Why SPK?

My knowledge, commercial awareness and creativity WILL help Grow and Inspire Your Food Business

Who is SPK?

An eternally curious and creative food innovator and inspirer who loves a challenge and working collaboratively with industry experts and those with a vision.

Where is SPK?

I travel and work all over the world ; based in St. Albans, Hertfordshire

What has SPK done?

Explore my website to find out some of my projects ; drop me a line, follow my blog, read what others say about me on my testimonials and connect with me to find out what makes me tick

The people who hire me are usually food start up entrepreneurs, product developers, chefs, food technologists and heads of innovation, MD’s and CEOs.

Whatever I’m working on, the thing I enjoy most is knowing I’ve made a tangible, positive and lasting difference to a project. My background in the food industry has taught me to expect that nothing is straightforward but my energy and drive allows me to hit the ground running and see right past the nitty gritty that can get in the way of achieving a goal.

My USP?

I have developed a focused, driven speed and order in the way I work which saves time and money in the long run to my clients – I’ll still retain my sense of humour throughout too – the most wasted of all days is one without laughter.

I’m happy to take either the leadership role in a project or work as part of the team, contributing an authentic passion and authority. I can confidently get my ideas across to staff of any level within a company, I love people. I make sure to keep on the lookout for current food trends and major food news-stories and research so that I can adapt and incorporate it into live projects. I like to think laterally and creatively at things.

All food companies rely on an array of stakeholders for success. Sometimes, the budget for that creative thinker is just not there all the time and that is why I have chosen a consultants’ life. Use me as and when needed to knit together and inspire a range of customers, prospects, employees, suppliers, business partners and opinion formers.

You’ll notice as you get to know me that my creativity flows into other areas, like films, music, wine and cycling. Each to which I devote as much time to as my work, wife and family allow!