Co-op appoints new Executive Innovation Chef, David Llewelyn

15 August 2021

The Co-op has appointed an awarding winning chef to guide the culinary direction for its convenience and wholesale food businesses. David (Dai) Llewelyn will be the new Executive Innovation Chef for the food retailer, overseeing product creation for the Co-op’s brands, including its GRO vegan and top-tier Irresistible ranges.

Dai joins Breige Donaghy, Co-op Director of Delicious Food, development and innovation team to drive forward the future innovation platforms for brand proposition. Dai will lead his experienced culinary team to help develop exciting new products for the convenience retailer, working alongside Co-op’s product developers to identify emerging food trends, implement new technologies and champion sustainability within its NPD.

An Innovation chef is an increasingly integral role within a food retailer, as the importance of providing customers with interesting and delicious products which also tick the sustainability, traceability and health boxes, grows.

Over the past few years, Co-op has significantly invested in the quality and sourcing of its food products, being the first retailer to only sell and use 100% British meat and poultry in its own brand products, whilst winning many awards for products ranging from its genuine sourdough pizza, chilled desserts and innovative ready meals.

Dai has 15 years’ experience within the food industry, with his most recent in-house role being Executive Development and Innovation Chef at Greencore and winning accolades at the British Sandwich Designer of the Year awards and being named Free From Pasta Chef of the Year 2019.

David said: “I am so excited to have the opportunity to join the Co-op team, and become part of a brand that puts so much into the quality of its food and how it sources ingredients. I look forward to having the opportunity to inspire and educate further and continue to deliver good food, taking ingredients and turning them into food that makes people happy.”

Breige Donaghy, Director of Delicious Food, Co-op said “ Dai’s passion for sustainability and making good food accessible, aligns seamlessly with Co-ops approach. We’re looking forward to putting his fresh thinking, passion and wealth of experience into products our customers and members will enjoy. The next decade in the food industry is going to be hugely exciting and we need to continually evolve our offer to meet the needs of our convenience customers and the rapidly changing food agenda.”

Media Enquiries: Maya Powell / maya.powell@coop.co.uk Victoria Simons / victoria.simons@coop.co.uk