Neil Rippington

Neil trained as a chef at the Bournemouth and Poole College, before going on to work in Michelin starred restaurants in France, London and the New Forest. Neil also enjoyed other periods of work in the culinary industry undertaking various positions in the USA, Canada and the Caribbean. 

In 1999, Neil returned to education as a chef lecturer, later progressing to positions as Programme Manager and Quality Manager. In 2003, Neil joined Colchester Institute as Head of Centre for Hospitality and Food Studies where the Centre was nationally recognised for outstanding provision. In 2010, Neil took up the position as Dean of the College of Food at University College Birmingham, where he worked for over ten years. 

Neil’s writing career started in 2007 with the publication of Professional Chef, a book in a series of three, produced as a resource for students following the newly developed City and Guilds Diplomas in Professional Cookery at the time. The book is now in its second edition and has since been translated for overseas markets. In 2009, Neil joined Prof David Foskett as part of the team writing for the iconic Practical Cookery series, as well as Theory of Hospitality and Catering and Professional Patisserie. He has also published Maths and English for Catering and Hospitality, a resource developed to support students in these areas by demonstrating the importance of maths and English through scenarios commonly encountered in the industry. Neil has developed many programmes and teaches subjects across the culinary arts and gastronomy. His research led to the development of degree programmes offered at the Edge Hotel School, located at the University of Essex and he co-developed a programme in Culinary Psychology at Harvard University, USA 

Neil is a Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy. He is also an examiner for City and Guilds of London Institute and an Academician of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, and chair of its Education Committee. Neil sits on various other committees and steering groups, including the Route Panel for Hospitality and Catering (Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education/Department for Education). He is a Subject Expert for Hospitality and Catering for The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual). Neil has also acted as an external advisor/examiner for the many universities in the UK and internationally.

In recognition of his work, Neil has received accolades including Disciple of Escoffier, Honorary Member of City and Guilds and is Lead Judge for the development of skills at the Salon Culinaire, UK. 

Neil is currently the Programme Director for the College Community Programme for the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts, UK and the International Director for Global Education with the International Institute of Hotel Management, India.