Our passion lies throughout the entire process of your food business, actively participating in recipe development, audits, image creation and much more...
our company
Innovative, Imaginative, Original
Founded in 2008 by renowned chef Jodi-Ann Palmer, The Food Design Agency has consistently delivered distinctive services to a diverse portfolio of clients across both local and international markets.
Originally intended as an outsourced resource for recipe and product development, The Food Design Agency has expanded immensely to include full turn-key services to suit the needs of a great variety of clients. Whether the services you require are data-based, hands-on or creative in nature, we take great pride in performing one of a kind, individualised services aimed at making your business a success.
Why
choose us?
The Food Design Agency has earned global recognition as a creative food business, thanks to our remarkable work ethic and unwavering dedication.
We deliver exceptional services to a diverse clientele worldwide, consistently achieving phenomenal results. Our team boasts a variety of backgrounds and work experiences, allowing us to offer a comprehensive range of services all under one roof.
Our Process
take the opportunity to
Meet our Wonderful Team
Jodi-Ann Palmer
CEO | Culinary architect
Jodi-Ann Palmer graduated from Silwood Kitchen, one of South Africa’s oldest culinary training schools in 2005, winning every major award available.
To work and achieve is Jodi-Ann’s life and this can be seen in the vast work experience she has built up in her career to date. Apart from owning a business, Jodi-Ann has worked at various leading establishments both in South Africa and overseas, the 3 star French Laundry in California being a highlight. Participation in culinary competitions has proven Jodi-Ann’s obvious talent. She has won every minor and major culinary competition in South Africa, including 5 South African Chef of the Year titles, as well as international awards and gold medals. In 2005 Jodi-Ann was selected to represent Culinary Team South Africa.
Outside of the culinary arena, Jodi-Ann can be found practising horse riding and competing in show jumping and dressage competitions. 2008 was the year Jodi-Ann began The Food Design Agency.. 2010 saw the opening of The Cookie Design Emporium, an entrepreneurship project specializing in high-quality cookies. Jodi-Ann represents the South African Chefs Association in the current position of Competitions Director as well as a committee member of The World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) uplifting young chefs around the Globe and completing the incredibly successful and inspiring achievements, writes monthly columns for Hotel & Restaurant Magazine, The World Association of Chefs (WACS) magazine and Chef! Magazine
Leandi Archer
PRINCIPLE LEAD| Africa
Leandi graduated from the University of Pretoria with a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Science: Hospitality Management in 2011 (Cum Laude)
winning various top student awards in recipe and product development as well as food service management. In 2012 she started a Master’s Degree whilst being employed as an assistant lecturer and six months later as a Junior Lecturer at the University of Pretoria. She taught Basic Food Chemistry and Food Preparation. In 2014, while still conducting research, Leandi decided to shift her focus to the Asian market and moved to Hong Kong where she worked as a restaurant reviewer, sensory analyst, writer, blogger, and amateur food photographer. In 2015 she received the Best Paper Award for her paper titled “Convenience and the Demand for Food Away from home in Tshwane, South Africa” at the ICHLST in Bangkok. In 2016 she received her Master’s Degree with a dissertation titled “Tshwane Households Food Away from Home consumption” focusing on consumer behaviour, food consumers outside of the home and consumer decision making. In 2018 she relocated to South Africa and started a career at The Food Design Agency under the mentorship of Jodi-Ann Palmer.
NAStasia Nicolaou
Food ScientiST
Nastasia graduated with a BSC in Food Science (cum laude) from Stellenbosch University in 2022. She achieved the Dean’s merit for a number of her modules throughout her studies and is member of the Golden Key Honours Society.
Nastasia achieved in the top 1% in South Africa for consumer studies in her final year of high school.
Her vast love and passion for food began at a very young age and has only grown since then. She grew up in a home who loved to entertain and eat around the table together, combing her mother’s Chinese cuisine with her father’s Greek cuisine.
She has integrated her fondness of food with an interest in science and devoted four years to studying Food Science which she thoroughly enjoyed and excelled in. She is particularly interested in molecular gastronomy and is eager to experiment both in the kitchen and in the lab. She is a self-taught baker who takes pleasure in baking cakes and especially decorating them. She has an affinity for exploring new restaurants and trying new exotic foods.
“If you don’t try it, you will never know”, are enduring words Nastasia lives by, which she implements in her everyday life, experimenting and trying new things. She is very excited and honored to have started her first journey in the food industry at The Food Design Agency.
Diane Oxford
Head of Accounts and Bookkeeping
Diane Oxford matriculated from Durban Girls High School, where she was an active member of the tennis club. Diane extended her education at Pitmans
Institute where she achieved a bookkeeping diploma, graduating with distinction. Her hobbies include reading, gardening and exercising. Diane has recently completed her 100th Park Run, emphasising her determination to remain dynamic. Not only does she excel athletically but Diane also impresses world-renowned chefs with her roast potatoes.
SUBJECT EXPERT
CONTRACTORS
The Food Design Agency makes use of the services of only the world’s most leading subject experts as contractors on various projects based on the needs of clients.