Dan Lepard facts for kids

Dan Lepard (born in 1964) is an Australian baker, food writer, photographer, and TV chef. He used to be a fashion photographer. But at age 27, he changed his career. Today, he is famous for mixing old and new ways of baking.

Dan's Story

In 1992, Dan became a pastry chef in London. He learned on the job, even without formal training. Later, he cooked for the famous artist David Hockney. Dan worked for him in both London and Los Angeles.

Starting Bakeries

In 1997, Dan started working at Baker & Spice Bakery. He was a baker and a helper for the business. There, he worked with other great chefs like Sami Tamimi and Yotam Ottolenghi. Dan also helped the team start the popular Ottolenghi delis and restaurants. He gave them advice on how to make their delicious bread.

Dan has also helped start bakeries for many other famous chefs. These include Fergus Henderson at St John and John Torode at Mezzo. He also helped Tony Kitous at Levant and Giorgio Locatelli at Locanda Locatelli.

Awards and Projects

In 2003, Dan won an award for his great work in London restaurants. In 2012, he opened a special bakery called The Loaf in a Box. It was a temporary bakery in San Sebastián, Spain. People who loved bread could meet there. They could talk about and eat amazing baked goods.

Also in 2012, a UK supermarket called Sainsbury's launched a baking website. Dan has a regular question-and-answer section there.

Writing About Food

From 2005 to 2013, Dan wrote a weekly baking column. It was in The Guardian newspaper and was called How to Bake. Many home bakers loved his column.

You can also find Dan's recipes on the BBC Food website. He is also a baking expert for Mumsnet.com. Dan writes for other magazines too. These include Waitrose Magazine and Delicious Magazine in the UK. In Australia, he writes for Gourmet Traveller Magazine.

In 2014, Dan started writing a cooking column. It appears in The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspapers in Australia.

On Television

In 2013, Dan was a judge on The Great Australian Bake Off. This TV show is based on a popular British show. Dan appeared alongside Kerry Vincent. In the UK, he is a guest chef on Channel Four's Sunday Brunch.

Teaching Baking

Dan teaches special classes on making sourdough bread. He teaches at the Cookery School in London. He also often gives baking shows and talks. He teaches masterclasses at many events and festivals.

Personal Life

Dan has lived in London since he was a teenager. In 2012, Dan Lepard and his long-time partner, David Whitehouse, became partners. David is also Dan's business manager.

Photographer

Dan Lepard has also worked as a photographer for cookbooks.

• Made in Italy: Food and Stories (2006) – This book won awards.
• Hawksmoor at Home: Meat – Seafood – Sides – Breakfasts – Puddings – Cocktails (2011)