The team
We are a dedicated and passionate team specialising in consultancy, sales, creative design, and marketing. Our mission is to help the brands and distributors we partner with achieve their goals.
Mash Chiles, Managing Director
Mash leads the Gourmet Partners team, offering expert consultancy to speciality food brands. With 15 years of experience in the UK’s speciality food sector, his deep industry knowledge and strong network are instrumental in driving client growth and success.
Mash’s career began with founding The Bath Pig, a brand that gained nationwide distribution and listings with four major retailers before he successfully sold the business. He then served as Sales Director at The Bay Tree Food Co., where he built a successful field sales team, expanded Food Service offerings, and grew export sales across the EU.
His expertise spans UK and international markets, establishing valuable connections with leading speciality distributors.
Naomi Knight, Creative Director
Naomi heads our creative design and marketing services, delivering impactful brand support that complements our field sales expertise. Naomi has worked with some of the biggest and most exciting agencies from London to Sydney.
With extensive experience in designing for food brands, she oversees all creative and marketing efforts. By integrating these services, we deliver constructive, brand-building assistance throughout our partnership, helping drive sales while strengthening overall brand presence in the market.
Lisa Marie Dema, Key Accounts Manager
Lisa brings 15 years of expertise in business operations, project coordination, and administration, gained through a career spanning Canada, Australia, and the UK. Now settled in England, she ensures Gourmet Partners operates at its highest potential by overseeing efficient order processes, distributor partnerships, and seamless client communication.
Her career highlights include co-founding the Australian design studio Splendid, where she applied human-centered design principles to support businesses. As Operations Manager at Readify, Lisa earned multiple Microsoft global awards for her ability to optimise processes, lead diverse teams, and deliver significant cost savings.
Known for her meticulous attention to detail, Lisa ensures Gourmet Partners consistently delivers exceptional service to its clients.
Our experienced sales team brings extensive knowledge of the Speciality Food industry and a keen understanding of how to sell effectively in this highly competitive market. By focusing on expanding distribution channels and establishing strong retailer relationships, we ensure sustainable, long-term growth and brand recognition for our clients. Our targeted approach helps brands thrive, securing their market position and driving ongoing success.
Nathaniel Gordon, Brands Development & Sales Manager (South)
Nathaniel has two decades of experience in the speciality food industry, having honed his expertise at The Bay Tree Food Company, focused on Food Service and Key Accounts before becoming Business Development Manager, overseeing field sales across the South of England.
With deep relationships across independent retailers in the UK, Nathaniel is a vital asset to Gourmet Partners. His conscientious and strategic approach ensures that he treats each brand as if it were his own, delivering exceptional support and driving sustainable growth in the competitive speciality food market.
Deanna Williams, Brands Development & Sales Manager (Scotland & the North of England)
Based in Edinburgh, Deanna brings over 20 years of sales and account management experience in the UK’s speciality food sector. She has worked with respected brands including Olives Et Al, Inverawe Smokehouses, Harvey Nichols, and continues to support Tracklements, the UK’s leading condiment brand, alongside her role at Gourmet Partners.
At Olives Et Al, Deanna spent a decade building the brand across Scotland and the North of England, working closely with both direct and wholesale customers. Previously, as Trade Sales Manager at Inverawe Smokehouses, she managed high-profile accounts including Waitrose, Whole Foods, Abel & Cole, Riverford, and premium restaurants across the UK. Her career began at Harvey Nichols Edinburgh, where she helped launch the Food Hall and led buying, merchandising, and customer service.
Deanna is known for her deep sector knowledge, long-standing relationships, and proven ability to grow brand presence across farm shops, delis, food halls, and premium retail. She now leads our business development efforts across Scotland and the North of England.
Passionate, tenacious, and self-motivated, she’s also (by her own admission) quite obsessed with great food!
Anis Makki, Brands Development & Sales Manager (London)
Anis Makki brings over seven years of experience in the speciality food sector, spanning procurement, sales, and supply chain management. With a sharp commercial focus and a deep understanding of the complexities involved in importing and distributing high-quality products, Anis has earned a strong reputation for delivering cost-effective, compliant, and efficient solutions in a highly competitive market.
Before joining Gourmet Partners Brand Builders, Anis played a pivotal role in expanding supplier networks and uncovering strategic opportunities to improve margins and shorten lead times, while maintaining exceptional standards of quality and customer service. His calm, analytical approach, combined with a keen grasp of both data and people, makes him an invaluable partner for brands looking to grow in London’s dynamic speciality food landscape.
Anis is passionate about championing the brands he represents, bringing a meticulous, results-driven mindset to every relationship.
Emily Davenport, Brands Development & Sales Manager (Midlands & East Anglia)
Emily offers a unique combination of skills developed through a dynamic career in sales, client relations, and creative industries. She began in bespoke furniture sales, excelling in retailer relationships and identifying key growth opportunities. Her decade-long experience as a Formula One photographer took her around the globe, sharpening her expertise in managing international clients and boosting brand visibility.
At Gourmet Partners, Emily champions the quality and bespoke nature of speciality food brands, delivering a personalised approach to help clients thrive.