Meet Chef Derek!

Derek Clarke is the Nutricia team chef who also works with Matthew’s Friends and The Daisy Garland charities. His career started when he qualified as a Master Baker with Rank Hovis in 1992, and since then he has worked for a top London hotel, opened a cake shop in Chester and made countless wedding cakes. When Derek’s godson was born with a metabolic condition, he started making and developing meals for a specialist diet.

Derek joined the Nutricia team and was introduced to the world of Keto. Today, his work for Nutricia involves developing new recipes for ketogenic and metabolic diets, as well as hosting cookery workshops for families.

Most days, Derek is busy in the Nutricia recipe development kitchen (his home) coming up with lots of new tasty recipes suitable for those just starting the diet or those looking for more inspiration.

We know the Ketogenic Diet can seem very daunting to start off with. Chef Derek runs local cookery workshops for patients following a ketogenic diet. If you would be interested in attending a workshop speak to your Dietitian and we will try and set one up. These aren’t just for newcomers, so if you are looking for new techniques or recipes you should come along too!

And for families who prefer to join from home, we also run virtual drop‑in cookery demonstrations with Chef Derek, offering simple keto‑friendly recipes, practical tips, and the chance to ask questions in a relaxed, interactive setting. Each month, Chef Derek will share practical cooking tips, answer questions live, and help build confidence in preparing everyday ketogenic meals. These informal sessions are designed to make keto cooking easier, more accessible, and to bring our community together from the comfort of their own home.

When: every first Tuesday of the month, 19.00 – 21.00, March-Dec 2026,

Where: online / MS Teams – click to Join the Session

To join the session, you only need the meeting link above, a phone, tablet or computer, and a good internet connection. Some devices may ask you to download the Microsoft Teams app before joining.

How to join: Click the meeting link. If prompted, enter your name (the name under which your comments in the chat box you wish to appear). Choose whether to have your camera or microphone on. Then tap ‘Join’ and that’s it!

The virtual drop-in cookery demonstrations with Chef Derek are intended for patients who manage intractable or drug-resistant epilepsy with a ketogenic diet, and their families. All participants under 18 years of age to be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Terms and Conditions apply – click here to view.

Can’t come along to a workshop? Make sure you follow @KetoConnect for a range of tips and videos from Chef Derek!

Also, visit our Nutricia KetoConnect UK & IRE YouTube channel for videos of tasty ketogenic recipes by Chef Derek.

If you are now starting on your ketogenic journey and are looking for some ketogenic cooking advice, Chef Derek can support with virtual demonstrations. Speak with your dietitian first, and if you are interested, contact us at metabolic@nutricia.com to arrange a virtual demo with Derek.