Award-winning chef takes the helm at Slimming World Kitchen
Award-winning chef and food innovation expert Martyn Lee has been appointed Head of Slimming World Kitchen, the recipe box subscription service from the UK's leading weight management organisation.
With more than 20 years' experience in food innovation and product development, Martyn joins the business from senior roles at some of the UK's leading retailers. They include Tesco and Waitrose, where he led food innovation teams responsible for developing market-leading products and identifying emerging food trends.
Having recently marked its second anniversary, Slimming World Kitchen is looking to build on its early success by broadening its appeal beyond Slimming World members and reaching a wider audience of people seeking convenient, healthy meals.
A trained chef with a passion for bringing exciting, easy-to-make food to consumers, Martyn has built a reputation for combining culinary creativity with commercial insight. His achievements include helping to develop an award-winning runny-centred Scotch egg, recognised with a prestigious Grocer Gold Award, and more recently winning Development Chef of the Year at the 2024 Craft Guild of Chefs Awards.
Martyn says: "What attracted me to Slimming World Kitchen was the opportunity to work with a trusted brand that is helping people achieve their goals without ever losing sight of what matters most – delicious food.
"I've spent my career creating dishes that people genuinely enjoy eating, so I don’t want to stop now! Slimming World Kitchen is in a unique position because we can help people discover new flavours, build confidence in the kitchen and enjoy great food, while knowing every meal is supporting them on their weight-loss journey.
"I want everyone to think the same thing when they sit down to one of our meals: 'That was absolutely delicious... what's coming next week?' If we can help people look forward to every meal, discover something new and build lasting habits along the way, that's a real success."
In his new role, Martyn will lead the continued evolution of Slimming World Kitchen's menu offering, with a focus on delivering delicious, convenient meals that support people to lose weight without compromising on flavour, variety or enjoyment.
He continues: “As well as tasting good, the meals are also packed with nutrients, protein, fibre and plant variety. It’s such an easy way to stay on top of your health goals.”
Allison Brentnall, Director of Food and Publications at Slimming World, added: “Martyn shares our passion for spreading the word on how delicious food can be while still delivering your health goals. His experience, creativity and track record of innovation make him an excellent fit for Slimming World Kitchen and the ambitious plans in place to grow the service.
“I want everyone to think the same thing when they sit down to one of our meals: 'That was absolutely delicious... what's coming next week?'”
“Of course, our meal kits fit with our Food Optimising eating plan seamlessly, yet they are also perfect for anyone who wants to eat more healthily. They’re also great for anyone wanting to eat tasty meals that deliver on so many health credentials. We’re really excited for Martyn to help us reach new audiences.”
Beyond his professional achievements, Martyn brings a passion for food that stretches far beyond the workplace. Inspired by grandparents whose cooking ranged from traditional family baking to globally influenced dishes, he remains an enthusiastic home cook and sourdough baker. Outside work, he volunteers as a community first responder with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, recently celebrating 10 years of service supporting local communities.
Quick facts: Meet Martyn Lee
Dream dinner guests? Anthony Bourdain, Liam Gallagher and Ian Wright.
Ultimate comfort meal? The perfect roast dinner with crispy roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and perfectly pink beef.
What's always in your fridge? A stash of sourdough starter, ready to make pizza dough for friends and family.
Best meal you've ever eaten? Octopus chimichurri at Sala de Despiece in Madrid and a memorable Peruvian-Japanese tasting experience at Maido in Lima.
One thing colleagues might not know? Martyn has volunteered as a community first responder with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service for 10 years.
Which Slimming World Kitchen meal is your current favourite and why? There’s an absolutely delicious and really surprising slow-cooked venison, fennel and chickpea curry coming up, which I love!
Martyn’s top tip: To get a 'glass-like' shatter on your roast potatoes, time is the key! Simmer Maris Piper potatoes in generously seasoned water until the potatoes are barely holding together - drain really carefully and lay on a tray to cool gently, ideally next to an open window with a breeze gently drying them! For extra crisp, chill them uncovered in a fridge overnight (this is really helpful for big occasions like Christmas dinner too!)
When you're ready for them to roast (oven to 200c), preheat a shallow tray big enough for the potatoes to have their own personal space) spray with low calorie cooking spray and roast them until super-crispy, trying not to move them about too much to allow the crust to develop.
About Slimming World
- Slimming World was founded by the late Margaret Miles-Bramwell OBE in Derbyshire in 1969. It is the UK and Ireland’s leading weight loss organisation, with more people choosing to attend a Slimming World group each week than any other weight loss programme.
- Our evidence-based approach has helped millions of people to lose weight and keep it off long term. We support hundreds of thousands of people weekly through our community weight loss groups, run by highly trained self-employed Consultants, and through our digital service.
- Slimming World’s support system is built on a deep understanding of the guilt and stigma people living with overweight and obesity experience. We always treat people with genuine care, empathy, respect and understanding. When members join Slimming World, they become part of a community, in group and online, and each week we inspire and motivate people to make positive mindset changes and develop new, lasting healthy habits around food and activity.
- Our healthy eating plan, Food Optimising, is centred around ‘Free Foods’ – foods that are lower in energy density (meaning they have less calories per gram), and highly satisfying, so you can fill up on them for fewer calories. It’s a flexible plan enabling members to lose weight without ever feeling hungry or deprived, and without weighing, measuring or counting everything they eat.
- Our active lifestyle programme helps members overcome any barriers they face with exercise. They choose when and how to start, setting their own pace and finding activities they enjoy until regular physical activity becomes an unmissable part of their daily routine.
- Slimming World supports members taking weight loss drugs to build healthy habits around food and fitness, so the weight stays off long after the medication ends.
- We proudly work with the NHS, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, The Royal College of Midwives, Diabetes UK and others to help shape the future of weight management in the UK and Ireland. We also support Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Research UK and the Irish Cancer Society through fundraising.
- We’ve developed and launched our Slimming World Free Food range, available exclusively in Iceland and The Food Warehouse in the UK and Dunnes Stores in Ireland, and introduced our Slimming World Kitchen recipe box service. These help members to continue making healthy choices, even when they’re short on time.
- Slimming World Magazine is the UK’s best-selling slimming title and available at a discounted price to Slimming World members.
For more information about Slimming World, visit slimmingworld.co.uk or slimmingworld.ie and for more information about Slimming World Kitchen, visit slimmingworldkitchen.co.uk
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