Freelance Chef Cover in Lancashire
Short-staffed for a busy event? Struggling to cover annual leave? Need an experienced chef to step in while you recruit?
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Executive Chef Lee Clarke · Lancashire & the North West
Chef consultancy in Lancashire
Practical hospitality consultancy from a Rosette award-winning Executive Chef with over 20 years in professional kitchens. Lee helps cafés, restaurants, pubs and small food businesses launch, develop their menus, run tighter kitchens and grow.
Based in Lancashire, working across Preston, Blackpool, Lytham St Annes and the North West. Projects elsewhere in the UK by arrangement.
How chef consultancy works →Chef consultancy
Hands-on help for hospitality businesses
Consultancy is the heart of Chef Lee Culinary. Lee works alongside owners and teams on the things that decide whether a food business succeeds.
Launching a food business
From concept and kitchen set-up to opening day — for cafés, restaurants and small food start-ups.
Menus that make money
Menu development, standardised recipes, costings, portion sizes and pricing.
Kitchen operations
Workflow, supplier reviews, food safety and allergen procedures, and team support.
Growth & turnaround
Practical help to steady, improve and grow an existing hospitality business.
From Lee’s kitchen
Food made for the occasion
A closer look at Lee’s plated dishes, grazing tables and event catering — all photographed from his original portfolio.
From the journal
Latest News & Advice
Practical guidance and updates from Lee on hospitality kitchens, staffing, food costs and private dining.
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Software and staffing built by Lee
MenuForge
Recipe costing and menu software
Developed by Lee to help kitchens keep recipes, costings and menus organised. £39 per month plus £395 one-off setup and installation.
Visit the MenuForge website ↗CheckOn
Chef staffing and recruitment
Lee’s chef agency for venues that need more cover than one chef can give, and for chefs looking for work.
Meet Lee
An Executive Chef with a commercial eye
Lee Clarke has worked in restaurants, hotels, educational settings and catering operations, including Rosette award-winning kitchens. That experience shapes practical advice that works in a real kitchen.
What clients say
Google reviews
5.0/5from 8 Google reviews
“Chef Lee recently stepped into the temporary role of Head Chef at The Hertsmere and delivered exceptionally. From a business point of view he stabilised the kitchen operation quickly and efficiently but it was his food…”
The HertsmereReview on Google “Some of the best food I have ever tasted was cooked by Lee Clarke. Highly recommended”
Janice BarberReview on Google “Very good service, professional and knowledgeable of food, great hand in the kitchen.”
Tom DamenReview on Google
Rating checked 12 November 2026. Selected reviews shown.
Free resources
Planning or improving a kitchen?
Free PDF resources and interactive tools for launch planning, menu costing and staffing — no sign-up needed.
Where Lee works
Lancashire and the North West
Relief cover is mainly in Preston, Blackpool, Lytham and St Annes. Consultancy and private dining cover Lancashire and the Lake District, with other UK projects by arrangement.
- Preston
- Blackpool
- Lytham
- St Annes
- Lancaster
- Blackburn
- Burnley
- Bolton
- Chorley
- Ribble Valley
- Greater Manchester
- Lake District
- Cumbria
- West Yorkshire
Tell Lee about your business
Call for an informal chat, or email a short brief: your business, location, stage and the challenge you’re facing.
Or send a written brief through the consultancy proposal form.