KEY TEAM MEMBERS

The strength of any organisation is with its people and this is particularly true of an events and catering company. Below you will find profiles of our full-time staff but for a company like ours part-time staff also play a vital role. At a large event, the first person your guests are likely to meet will be a waiter or a cloakroom attendant. They are our ambassadors and are responsible for the crucial first impression and, as such, we always treat them with respect and as young professionals. We strive to only use staff on our own books and always start every event with proper training and briefings to ensure the staff know exactly what high standards we expect.

Damien Malone - Head Chef

Damian Malone began cooking at The Regent Hotel in Melbourne, Australia before moving to London in 2000. He spent time at various restaurants until he found Inn or Out in 2005.

Different regions and cultures have significantly increased Damian’s knowledge about food. Visiting places including Africa, India and France has provided fresh ideas and perspectives toward his work in the kitchen.

Damian’s passion and experience contribute significantly to the success of Inn or Out.

Favourite Food? Japanese
Favourite Restaurant? Los Caracoles in Barcelona
Favourite Colour? Green
Hobbies? Squash Cycling and Being with My Son
What’s one thing you want to do in your Lifetime? Cycle from the North to the South of Australia

Oliver Drayton - Pastry Chef

Sweet loving Oliver has been working as a pastry chef at various restaurants ever since he left school. After some travelling and seeing the world, his career took a sprint with an employment at the Michelin star restaurant Gravetye Manor. Next to experience his creations was The Square Restaurant, rewarded with 2 Michelin stars and the Sketch Restaurant.

He has a special passion for chocolate, which apart from being greatly appreciated here at Inn or Out, took him to the 2nd place in the UK Chocolate Masters 2008. A future project is starting a chocolate factory New Zealand - one of the countries that during his travels captured his heart.

Favourite Food? Thai or my girlfriends Schnitzel
Favourite Restaurant: The Foliage
Favourite Colour? Blue
Hobbies? Kitesurfing and spending time with my son
One thing you want to do in your lifetime? Swim with sharks

Mark Alsop - Financial Controller

Mark studied financial accounts at Emile Wolfe in Borough High Street. While studying for his degree by night, by day Mark worked for Merrill Lynch on their Restaurant Associates account.

Mark then spent 18 months with Lloyds of London Insurance House before joining the Inn or Out team in June 2004.

A dedicated member of the Inn or Out team, he is always thinking of new ways to improve the business.

Favourite Food? So many. A good Sunday roast
Favourite Restaurant? The Waterside Inn
Favourite Colour? Blue
Hobbies? Football and Sailing
What’s one thing you want to do in your lifetime? Sail to latitude 0.00.00 and longitude 0.00.00

Mark Shelton - Account Manager

Mark started his working career as a research scientist for Thames Water but quickly realized that was not for him. He picked up a part time waiter position and realised what he was really passionate about was food, drink and people. He worked for ten years in various pubs and restaurants. He then moved on to work in gastro pubs, one of which won Time Out’s Eat and Drink best gastro pub in 2000. Next he became an area manager for Young’s Pubs.

He started with Inn or Out three years ago, initially managing sales and marketing at Number Six Gresham Street and later working as a freelance operations manager. Mark is now our venue accounts manager which allows him to interact passionately with food, drink and people in the event business. The enthusiasm he has proves that he is in the right place.

Favourite Food? French
Favourite Restaurant? Guardian Peak, South Africa
Favourite Colour? Blue
Hobbies? Eating out, Keeping Fit and Travelling
What’s one thing you want to do in your lifetime? Parachute Jump

Alex Blunden - Event Manager & Party Planner

Alex met Inn or Out on a work experience placement from college where she was studying business with the hope of going into event management.

The combination of hospitality and a variety of tasks that could get her away from her desk seemed like the perfect fit. Inn or Out liked what they saw and invited her back for a second week and then again during holidays. In July 2006, she jumped at the chance of an apprenticeship with the team, and is now a valuable employee here at Inn or Out.

Favourite Food? Freshly Baked Scones with Clotted Cream and Home-made Jam
Favourite Restaurant? Inamo
Favourite Colour? Purple
Hobbies? Skiing
One thing you want to do in your Lifetime? To Experience No Gravity