Nigel Smith
Founder / Managing Director
Nigel has over 35 years’ experience in the catering Industry and having completed his initial training back in 1986 in Derby University, gaining a host of qualifications in both cookery and front of house food service.
At the beginning of his professional career, Nigel spent the first 15 years working in Michelin star restaurants under the watchful eye of many of the world’s great chefs, whom he keeps acquainted with now.
Nigel has travelled broadly and held senior roles in many different countries, where he has and continues to develop a strong understanding of local cultures, and really embodies the local people and sees the opportunity to turn them into experts in hospitality.
In the latter years of his career as a chef, Nigel became known for his ability to deliver and manage large numbers. Achieving excellent feedback and returning excellent margins, 2,500 people sit down is a regular event to Nigel who takes the events in his stride.
On founding Worth my Salt, Nigel brought all his skills he learned over the past 25 years, his mastery knowledge in food and beverage and the ability to make every system and procedure appear simple and straightforward.
He embellishes talent and spends so much time developing them for the future, and really sees the positive in people within the industry,
Nigel is a great thinker and implements strategies for projects, developing each project himself ensuring we achieve the clients wishes… then exceed them.
Nigel’s appreciation for world cuisines is extraordinary; he will happily talk to you and fully understands the origins of most cuisines.
As a business he manages to really excel and he recruits extraordinary talent, keeping people motivated and driven, on both short and long projects. Always encouraging his team to push boundaries to think differently and develop.
The management team at Worth my Salt have now been together for 7 years, creating many projects from Crete to Dubai, Russia to Jeddah.
In 2003, Nigel completed a degree in Hotel & Management in Dubai certified by the Lausanne Hotel Management University, Switzerland. This is where Nigel began to scope and develop the Worth my Salt business, spending 3 years with various consultants volunteering his spare time to gain a 360-degree understanding of a consultant, consultancy practice and how to operate, which has proved testament to his business today.
At the beginning of his professional career, Nigel spent the first 15 years working in Michelin star restaurants under the watchful eye of many of the world’s great chefs, whom he keeps acquainted with now.
Nigel has travelled broadly and held senior roles in many different countries, where he has and continues to develop a strong understanding of local cultures, and really embodies the local people and sees the opportunity to turn them into experts in hospitality.
In the latter years of his career as a chef, Nigel became known for his ability to deliver and manage large numbers. Achieving excellent feedback and returning excellent margins, 2,500 people sit down is a regular event to Nigel who takes the events in his stride.
On founding Worth my Salt, Nigel brought all his skills he learned over the past 25 years, his mastery knowledge in food and beverage and the ability to make every system and procedure appear simple and straightforward.
He embellishes talent and spends so much time developing them for the future, and really sees the positive in people within the industry,
Nigel is a great thinker and implements strategies for projects, developing each project himself ensuring we achieve the clients wishes… then exceed them.
Nigel’s appreciation for world cuisines is extraordinary; he will happily talk to you and fully understands the origins of most cuisines.
As a business he manages to really excel and he recruits extraordinary talent, keeping people motivated and driven, on both short and long projects. Always encouraging his team to push boundaries to think differently and develop.
The management team at Worth my Salt have now been together for 7 years, creating many projects from Crete to Dubai, Russia to Jeddah.
In 2003, Nigel completed a degree in Hotel & Management in Dubai certified by the Lausanne Hotel Management University, Switzerland. This is where Nigel began to scope and develop the Worth my Salt business, spending 3 years with various consultants volunteering his spare time to gain a 360-degree understanding of a consultant, consultancy practice and how to operate, which has proved testament to his business today.
Nathaniel Landau
Operations Director
Nathaniel has over 25 years’ experience within the hospitality, catering and event industry – ranging from 5-star boutique country house hotels to World renowned sports stadia and arenas within the UK, South Africa, and the Middle East.
Nathaniel moved from South Africa to the UK in 2001 to further his career and passion within the hospitality industry. He spent three years working with the senior leadership team who owned and managed various 4- and 5-star country house hotels around the UK.
With a strong desire to develop further within hotels and catering, Nathaniel moved over to the contract catering industry to work in some of the UK’s major venues and events, including the Millennium Stadium and Twickenham Stadium, Wimbledon Tennis Championship and The Open Golf Championships. This move proved worthwhile and in 2008, Nathaniel was offered an opportunity to move to the Middle East with his family to open a sports facility in Dubai, which played host to the largest single sport event in the country’s sporting calendar.
After spending a successful 5 years in Dubai, Nathaniel moved back to the UK to project manage the catering operation for the ATP World Tour Finals, catering to 250k spectators over the weeklong event, along with various other high-profile events hosted at the World renowned O2 Arena.
More recently, Nathaniel has been contracted as Project Director for The Open Golf Championships, hosting 260k spectators throughout the week-long event, catering to all areas, from general admission to players, media, and hospitality employing a workforce of circa 1,300 staff per day.
Nathaniel has taken on many independent contracts over the last few years, project managing the design, build and installation of numerous projects in sports stadia and arenas around the UK. Projects ranged from basic refurbishment, to brand new concepts with complete turnkey catering solutions.
Nathaniel moved from South Africa to the UK in 2001 to further his career and passion within the hospitality industry. He spent three years working with the senior leadership team who owned and managed various 4- and 5-star country house hotels around the UK.
With a strong desire to develop further within hotels and catering, Nathaniel moved over to the contract catering industry to work in some of the UK’s major venues and events, including the Millennium Stadium and Twickenham Stadium, Wimbledon Tennis Championship and The Open Golf Championships. This move proved worthwhile and in 2008, Nathaniel was offered an opportunity to move to the Middle East with his family to open a sports facility in Dubai, which played host to the largest single sport event in the country’s sporting calendar.
After spending a successful 5 years in Dubai, Nathaniel moved back to the UK to project manage the catering operation for the ATP World Tour Finals, catering to 250k spectators over the weeklong event, along with various other high-profile events hosted at the World renowned O2 Arena.
More recently, Nathaniel has been contracted as Project Director for The Open Golf Championships, hosting 260k spectators throughout the week-long event, catering to all areas, from general admission to players, media, and hospitality employing a workforce of circa 1,300 staff per day.
Nathaniel has taken on many independent contracts over the last few years, project managing the design, build and installation of numerous projects in sports stadia and arenas around the UK. Projects ranged from basic refurbishment, to brand new concepts with complete turnkey catering solutions.
David Hart
Culinary Director
David is an extremely passionate and knowledgeable chef, having started out his career under the guidance of the Academy of Culinary Arts. With over 20 years of experience in hospitality, it is something he still truly has a passion for.
Having worked alongside some of the industries finest, David has headed up some of London’s most prestigious restaurants and private members clubs, to critical acclaim.
He has overseen the kitchens of Northern Europe’s largest late-night procurers, launching several different brands across multiple cities to great success.
Most recently David has worked alongside Nigel Smith, working on prestigious events as well as consulting on multiple high-end projects both domestically, across Europe and beyond.
David brings a depth of knowledge to any hospitality project. From menu development, staying ahead of the trend and always being on point creatively. Procurement of both food and non-food items within a business, food safety and compliance as well as cost control and food GP%.
He is both personable, hardworking, and conscientious. Alongside his depth of knowledge, his soft skills are a key factor in all his success.
Having worked alongside some of the industries finest, David has headed up some of London’s most prestigious restaurants and private members clubs, to critical acclaim.
He has overseen the kitchens of Northern Europe’s largest late-night procurers, launching several different brands across multiple cities to great success.
Most recently David has worked alongside Nigel Smith, working on prestigious events as well as consulting on multiple high-end projects both domestically, across Europe and beyond.
David brings a depth of knowledge to any hospitality project. From menu development, staying ahead of the trend and always being on point creatively. Procurement of both food and non-food items within a business, food safety and compliance as well as cost control and food GP%.
He is both personable, hardworking, and conscientious. Alongside his depth of knowledge, his soft skills are a key factor in all his success.
Natalie Cordery-Smith
Team Recruitment & Developer
With a BA(Hons) Hospitality degree, Natalie has vast experience of working in all areas of catering, but her passion lies with events in cultural and iconic venues.
Having worked for Chester Boyd, London she became Events Manager at Tate Modern and Tate Britain. She has since been Operations Manager for the Museums of Liverpool before concentrating on staff recruitment, contracts, and human resources management for Worth My Salt.
Natalie ensures we all work hard to recruit, train, and retain the best people suited for our roles. We then mould and inspire them into greatness, with a practical ‘can-do’ attitude.