A Warm Welcome to Our New Head Teacher, Aisha Elshani

We are delighted to welcome Aisha Elshani to Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy as our new Head Teacher.

An experienced chef and culinary educator, Aisha joins us with a wealth of experience across the hospitality and catering industry. Throughout her career, she has worked with organisations including Heritage Portfolio, Victor & Carina Contini Restaurants and The Torridon Hotel. From serving royalty and helping to establish Edinburgh eatery Honeycomb & Co, to becoming Head Pastry Chef at Contini, Aisha has built experience across restaurants, hotels, venues and independent food businesses.

Most recently, Aisha spent almost eight years as a Culinary Arts lecturer at Edinburgh College. During this time, she taught across a range of areas, from baking to food service, while also supporting students working in the College’s public-facing cafes and restaurant. It is this combination of industry and teaching experience, alongside her passion for supporting the next generation of chefs and confident cooks, that she brings to her new role with us.

Aisha said: “I have always been passionate about creating a food industry that is as encouraging and welcoming as possible to existing and new talent.”

As Head Teacher, Aisha will lead the delivery of our professional cookery courses, interest classes and culinary events as we continue to grow and develop our offering. Her approach to teaching is shaped by the wide variety of roles she has held throughout her career, with a focus on cooking from scratch, using high-quality ingredients from good suppliers and making the most of seasonal produce.

In her new role, Aisha is focused on building a positive and ambitious learning culture, supporting staff and students, strengthening industry relationships and continuing to develop innovative opportunities within culinary education.

Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, CEO and Principal, is looking forward to working with Aisha to continue developing our offering, combining Aisha’s cooking and baking skills with her passion for the industry and supporting those working within it.

Aisha joins us at an exciting time, following our relaunch earlier this year and the introduction of new professional training opportunities. From our intensive 12-Week Diploma in Professional Cookery to our new part-time Evening Introductory Award in Cookery Skills Course, designed to make taking the exciting step into culinary training more accessible for those balancing work and other commitments. Aisha will play a key role in supporting the next generation of culinary talent.

We’re delighted to have Aisha join our team and look forward to the experience, knowledge and enthusiasm she will bring to our Academy.
Welcome to EFDA, Aisha!