our team

Nick Mundy - Director, Company Secretary
Nick practised as a solicitor and licensed conveyancer for many years before his retirement in 2012 with particular experience in property and contract law. An enthusiastic cook, he has enjoyed a lifetime passion for good locally sourced food and believes strongly in supporting our farmers and producers as well as Ludlow trade and businesses. He has been a supporter of Ludlow Food Festival for many years and joined the Festival’s Team in 2019 – he hopes his areas of expertise can help towards its continued success.

David Chantler - Director
First volunteered at the 2002 Festival, shortly after moving to the area as Chief Officer of the then newly formed West Mercia Probation Area. He has been involved with a variety of voluntary and Third Sector organisations and was in 2014 awarded the OBE In recognition of reducing offending through innovative working between the statutory and voluntary sectors. David, who subsequently took early retirement, became Chair of Ludlow Food Festival in 2021, having previously been vice Chair for a number of years. He is committed to maintaining its values as a volunteer led organisation prioritising, quality, fairness for producers and consumers and a strong rural economy.

As an Amuse Bouche, David once led a strike of extras on Ken Russell’s film” Tommy”, settling for a free concert by The Who and an extra piece of chicken in the meal bag, demonstrating his very long-standing commitment to both Food and Fairness!

Margaret Appleton - Director
Margaret became involved with Festival through volunteering in a variety of roles. For several years she has led on the route planning for the Magnalonga, combining her love of walking with her interest in food, where it comes from and how it is produced. She studied for a City & Guilds cookery qualification and has taught cookery in various community settings, combining this with her main work in local government. Now she is "retired" and has more time she welcomed the opportunity to support the Ludlow Food Festival, her adoptive home town of Ludlow and the wider Marches area. Margaret sometimes cooks for a local lunch club that uses donated food that might otherwise go to waste.

Adam Purnell 'Shropshire Lad' - Director
Adam is what it says on the tin: a lad, from Shropshire with a passion for cooking, fishing, and this beautiful county full of amazing ingredients and produce. He is a self- taught home cook who has never set foot in a professional kitchen, but aims to create innovative, inspiring dishes that are exciting and accessible. Follow his food adventures on Instagram where he has gathered a huge following of loyal fans: Shropshire Lad.

Andrew Broadfield - Director
Andrew was a civil servant for 20 years and left in 2001 so that he could spend the winters backpacking around the world whilst working at Britpart for the rest of the year. His lack of language skills and limited budget led to a love of street food. He enjoys walking and has recently completed the full England and Wales coastal paths. He has been a keen follower of the Ludlow Food Festival since it first started and owns an extensive collection of ale trail glasses! After retiring in 2017 he has been able to regularly help with the events set up and break down, together with stewarding at the events. He has made many friends through the festivals and gets a buzz from the positive feedback we get. As a new Director he hopes to ensure that the festivals evolve and flourish well into the future.

Stephen Guy 'Steve The Hungry Guy' - Director
Steve is a community chef and food educator…. but before anything else, an eater. Hailing from professional kitchens alongside Jamie Oliver and spending a chunk of his career in product development for global brands and retailers. 
Steve's vision is of a world where we are cooking, eating and sharing food together equally and accessibly. Spending his days cooking with, working alongside and inspiring a wide variety of community groups and charities, from schools to prisons and demoing at festivals and events, his infectious outlook and love of food and community remind us that food still has the power to connect, educate and protect our planet.

Sally Maile - Event Coordinator/Office Manager
Sally is the cog that keeps the wheels turning – starting off as a volunteer 24 years ago. With a background in secretarial/PA and nearly 30 years in the hospitality trade, 18 years ago she joined as a member of staff and now works alongside with the newly formed Events Team - coordinating to keep the events ticking over.

And finally, a word about Phil Maile
Phil sadly died after a short illness in 2021, was the last of the founder members to remain on the Board, a board that he chaired for over 20 years. In the many tributes to Phil, it was said that what he did not know about Food Festivals wasn’t worth knowing. Often imitated but never bettered, festivals around the country have followed the trail that Phil blazed - some knowingly, some not even aware that someone had to create the format. The current board salute Phil’s achievements and are proud to be carrying them forward.

And last, but by no means least, are the 100+ VOLUNTEERS that we have on site before, after and during the festival. They are there when the hard work really begins and stick with us through rain and shine, mud, heavy lifting and litter picking. Their jobs are certainly not always glamorous but their humour, welcoming smiles and good natures are commented on by exhibitors, visitors and everyone who attends the event. Without our willing band of merry men and women we simply would not exist, they are the glue that holds the whole event together and for that we are forever in their debt.