About Us
Ample Kitchen is the brainchild of co-founders Leon and Andrew
Both Leon and Andrew have been
passionate entrepreneurs for many years. Andrew founded a charity in the climate change space in 2006 when not many people were talking about it. Leon has been in the food industry all his life and founded 3 charities for people living in food insecurity.
Leon Aarts
Co-founder and CEO
From chef to restaurateur, food wholesaler and founder of three charities for people living in food insecurity Leon has a wealth of experience in the food industry and when he learned about the huge amount of farm gate surplus he decided to do something about it and founded Ample.
My favourite vegetable is Kohlrabi, forgotten yet versatile.
Andrew Steel
Co-founder and CEO
Experienced strategic and dynamic leader with 20 years of board-level operating at board level in commercial and environmental organisations. UN Advisor, and entrepreneur in Europe and Asia. With extensive experience delivering sustainability projects and an Honorary Doctor of Science awarded by the University of Hull. Consistently delivered significant growth in environmental and commercial ventures. Sprouts are his favourite vegetables because of childhood memories and missing them when living in Asia.
Kate Fortescue
Head of Food
Leiths-trained chef and nutrition expert with a passion for rescuing surplus produce After a career in law, she followed her lifelong love of food, working across recipe development, brand partnerships and food education. She also volunteers as a chef and educator at UK Harvest's Nourish Hub and is a trustee of food education charity Crunch, with a deep commitment to fairer food systems, public health and the environment. Kate loves celeriac for its distinctive taste and versatility.
Loreley Bombis
Head of Sales
Multilingual professional with with a diverse background in corporate sales, startup operations and social impact initiatives, especially those related to food and sustainability. Extensive experience in charity and community work. Skilled at building relationships, finding synergies, and leading high-performing teams. Passionate about education and community development. Her favourite is savoy cabbage: it's delicious in soups and a nutritious and low-calorie wrapper for rolls.
Philmar Husbands
Head of Purchasing
Initially a fashion designer. Phil built a career in design and clothing manufacturing before the pandemic reshaped his path. He found new purpose volunteering with a food distribution charity, where he managed the operations of an entire site. Phil combines his entrepreneurial spirit with a love of making connections, sourcing farm gate surplus from growers.
Phil loves wild garlic; it's great in salads and rich with allicin.
How It All Started
Ample started when its founders met while working in the charity sector feeding Londoners in the emergency of the Covid pandemic. They share a deep-seated passion for combating food waste and driven by a shared vision, embarked on a journey to do something impactful.
With the encouragement and support of many friends and allies this led to the birth of Ample, a community of purpose with a determination to solve the food chain crisis.
Our Values
Fair Pay to Farmers
Fair Pay to Farmers: Ensuring producers receive an honest, living wage that reflects the true value of their hard work and dedication.
No Farm Gate Surplus
No Farm Gate Surplus: Committing to a zero-waste supply chain by ensuring every harvest has a home and nothing is left behind in the fields.
Great British Food
Great British Food: Celebrating and promoting the exceptional quality of local produce to support the heritage of British agriculture.