Our menus cater for a range of events, from basic meeting refreshments to impressive buffet lunches.
Meet The Team
We'd like to introduce you to our fabulous team who work so hard crafting and cooking for your meetings and events.
Nicky Stanbury
Head Chef
After training at Exeter College, Nicky began her career in Westcountry Hotels, working in kitchens and front of house for their restaurants for several years.
Since joining the university in 1993, Nicky has worked on catering for conferences and events, for students in halls of residence, in our Eat & Shop cafes and restaurants on campus and now for the Fresh Ideas delivery food service. Nicky has a wealth of knowledge and experience and is instrumental in developing bespoke menus for clients, including for the visit of Her Majesty The Queen in 2012 and for the Vice Chancellor's annual garden party.
With a passion for fresh seasonal food, Nicky has always enjoyed pushing the boundaries when creating flavours and loves developing and inspiring others. She is interested in new food trends and techniques and regularly represents the University in contests, such as the annual TUCO competitions, having been a finalist many times.
Her favourite cake is coffee and walnut.
Allan Ferns
Reed Hall Deputy Manager
Allan owned his own award-winning pub/restaurant and outside catering business before joining the team on campus in 2008 as an Assistant Manager in the Halls of Residence.
Memorable achievements for Allan whilst working in catered halls include winning a 'Salt Smart' award, helping students to be more aware of salt levels in food and promoting the 'Food Waste' programme developing healthy, appealing menus for residents. Working as part of the team catering for The Queen's visit to campus in 2012 is also a stand-out moment.
On a personal level, Allan prides himself on excellent customer service and has previously attended a Masterclass on the Art of Service with Fred Sirieix, a French Maître d'hôtel best known for appearing on Channel 4's First Dates programme.
Allan is passionate about supporting local business where possible and likes to dine out in eateries where ingredients are sourced locally. A true advocate of the South West, he also loves to spend time outdoors, be it on Dartmoor or at the coast.
When he's not working, Allan enjoys spending time with his family - including wife Fern Ferns - and heads to Sandy Park to support the Exeter Chiefs as often as he can.
Tom Vickery
Catering Services Supervisor
Having been at the University for 9 years, Tom has worked front of house in many of the campus catering outlets, including Cross Keys at St Luke’s, the Terrace Restaurant in Devonshire House and Barisca Coffee Co. at the Peter Chalk Centre. He has also worked behind the bar at St Luke’s and in the Great Hall during events.
Tom is very passionate about giving fantastic customer service and enjoys always going that extra mile. He takes pride in having a smile on his face and gives 110% to any task he is given.
He's a massive sports fan and an Exeter City fanatic, resulting in him travelling up and down the country supporting the Grecians in his spare time.
Tom and his brother Jack have been fundraising for local charity, ‘The Adam Stansfield Foundation’ since January 2019, which has resulted in them raising over £35,000 for the foundation to date.
Paul Weller
Hospitality Manager
Having always worked in the Hospitality discipline since leaving school, Paul gathered extensive experience through various roles in pubs and hotels before joining the University in 2008.
His first role on the Streatham campus was as Deputy Manager at Reed Hall, before undertaking a year secondment to the Event Exeter team, managing events for a range of clients.
From there, Paul became Manager at the newly opened La Touche Café in Building:One of the Business School, before moving to his current role of Hospitality Manager, overseeing the extensive Fresh Ideas internal delivered food and hospitality service at the University.
Paul sees every day that goes smoothly as a success and in particular, enjoys working with charity clients and on events such as Taste of the West, which showcase local food businesses.
When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his children, often at the beach, paddling or body boarding.