Joe Hurd is an Anglo-Italian chef known for his simple, flavor-focused cooking style. Growing up among his Italian family's culinary traditions and Yorkshire influence, he began cooking at an early age, helping his grandmother make pasta and picking vegetables in his grandfather's garden. He studied history at the University of Leeds, delving into the use of food in Italian palliative care hospitals. Her television career includes appearances on programs such as “The Munch Box,” “5 Best Things,” “The Saturday Show” and “Saturday Kitchen.” Hurd got his start in the food industry working for Birdseye, handling pea freezing, and later trained at L'Anima under Francesco Mazzei, who significantly influenced his culinary style. He appreciates live performances and loves meeting people who are passionate about food. His favorite dish is homemade pasta with fried eggplant, fresh basil, seasoned ricotta and quality tomatoes, which he eats every Sunday. To maintain a healthy lifestyle, he balances his passion for food with exercise. Currently, Hurd collaborates with television networks such as ITV and Channel 5.
Nicola Jackson-Jones, founder of Two Cents Pizza in Ormskirk, is a talented pizza chef. She won the Pizza Chef of the Year award with her Greek-inspired pizza, the “Yam-Yasss!”, which combines halloumi, lamb kofta and charred onion petals.
In 2022, Nicholas decided to close his restaurant to focus on pizza training and consulting. She now organizes pop-ups in the northwest of England and teaches pizza-making classes.
Jim Winship, director of the Pizza, Pasta & Italian Food Association, praised Nicola's creativity, noting how his creation stood out in the Futura Foods category YAMAS! Halloumi. The judges were impressed with “Yam-Yasss!” for its ability to push the boundaries of traditional pizza.
In addition to her culinary achievements, Nicola is actively involved in Women in Pizza, a collective that celebrates and supports women in the pizza industry. Through this platform, she shares her expertise and inspires other women to pursue similar careers.