Wilde Thyme
Our People
ANDREW HAMER
Managing Director
Andrew’s interest, curiosity and love of food and different cultures was engrained in him from the experiences he had as child. From a young age, Andrew loved to experiment with the ‘new’ ingredients and spices his dad had brought home from his travels as a jazz musician, and enjoyed cooking and creating new dishes with his mum. He loved being creative and seeing the pleasure and joy that good food could bring to people.
Andrew trained and honed his culinary talent working in five star hotels across London before working for Peter Langan in one of his restaurants. Andrew then had an opportunity to move to Scotland to take up his first head chef position at a country boutique hotel, Ladyburn. It was whilst working at the Ladyburn, Andrews culinary skills grabbed the attention of Bill Costley (Costley and Costley Hotels). Andrew joined Bill working with him at Highgrove and Lochgreen House Hotel. In the mid-nineties Andrew joined Gleneagles initially as a sous chef before becoming Executive Head Chef. Andrew left Gleneagles to start Wilde Thyme.
Andrew is passionate about using fresh local seasonal produce and has built up great relationships with the supply chain showcasing Scotland’s world class Natural larder. Wilde Thyme has grown to become one of the UK’s leading luxury catering and events company.
Craig Palmer
Executive Chef
Proudly awarded the accolade of Scottish Chef of the Year 2023, Craig is a culinary artist and one of Scotland’s top chef’s. He has cooked for A-list celebrities, the Royal Family and worked with some of the world’s most prestigious luxury brands to create dining experiences that stimulate and appeal to a persons five senses.
He is passionate about Scotland’s local larder and has had the experience of working at ‘Number One’ restaurant located in the Balmoral hotel in Edinburgh when they previously were awarded a Michelin star; Craig has also worked in well known hotels across the North- East of Scotland. He joined the Entier family in 2018 where he is currently Executive Chef in their Wilde Thyme division. Craig is a multi-award-winning chef, and also Team Captain of the Scottish Culinary Team who recently were awarded 2 silver medals at the 2024 culinary Olympics.
Craig Coupar
Head Chef
With over twenty years culinary experience, Craig has worked in restaurants that were awarded 3AA and 2AA Rosette’s at some of Scotland’s finest country house boutique hotels. He joined the Entier family in 2017 and works in Entier’s Wilde Thyme division.
Craig has cooked for A-list celebrities, the Royal Family, and other well-known people. He is also part of Scotland’s culinary Olympic team and recently won two silver Olympic medals at the 2024 Culinary Olympics.
Dean Davidson
Chef
Dean has always had a keen interest in cooking from a very young age, cooking alongside his grandad who would always involve him in whatever was being made. Dean has a love for cooking and excelled in practical classes in school like home economics and so decided to pursue a career as a chef.
In 2019, Dean joined Entier as a Fresh Olive Chef Apprentice at The Olive House, Westhill, and worked across multiple of our onshore units to help and support him complete his apprenticeship. On completion of his apprenticeship, Dean transitioned to Wilde Thyme, Entier's events division, where he currently works as a Chef.
Dean loves the variety of being a chef with Wilde Thyme, from traveling the country working in different venues for different clients to working on new and unique menus, no two days are the same. Dean thrives on the pressure and buzz of a busy kitchen and loves how creative you can be as a chef with Wilde Thyme.
Craig Rochester
Event Operations Director
Craig possesses extensive expertise in the hospitality sector, stemming from his early immersion at the age of 14 where he started work as a Kitchen Porter while still attending school. It was here that Craig's passion for working with food, wine and people blossomed. Through hard work and dedication, Craig steadily progressed in his profession, achieving the position of General Manager at the age of 23.
Within the industry, Craig is well recognised for his adeptness in organising diverse events and guaranteeing the delivery of superior, high-quality dining and event experiences, all while prioritising customer satisfaction. Craig is committed to upholding standards of excellence and continuous improvement. He thrives on tackling even the most intricate event concepts or settings, no event, theme or setting is too challenging for Craig.
Isla McIlwrick
Event Operations Manager
Prior to joining Wilde Thyme, Isla studied Travel and Tourism, during which time she had the opportunity to work for a private chef for a unique event. This introduction to the hospitality industry ignited Isla's passion for event management, prompting her decision to pursue a career in this industry, driven by a newfound enthusiasm she had never before experienced.
Initially, Isla worked alongside Wilde Thyme through our staffing agency Splendid, starting as a waitress and working her way up to a managerial position. Isla loved working with Wilde Thyme at some of our incredible events, throughout multiple breathtaking venues and so made the decision to join the Entier Family in 2019, where she is currently Event Operations Manager in their Wilde Thyme division, bringing along a wealth of industry experience and knowledge.
Isla is extremely passionate about creating memorable experiences and exceeding client expectations. Isla's meticulous attention to detail ensures that every event she orchestrates leaves a lasting impression.
Hannah Matthews
Event Manager
Hannah studied Festival & Events Management at Edinburgh Napier University after developing a passion for organising and crafting unforgettable moments whilst working in hospitality from a young age. She gradually climbed the career ladder, transitioning through various roles, from Wedding Coordinator to Bar Manager, coordinating a multitude of events from wedding fairs to gin festivals for over 4,000 visitors.
Hannah became part of the Entier Family in 2022, where she is currently Events Manager in their Wilde Thyme division, pulling together all of the skills and knowledge she has acquired over the past decade to continue to thrive in the fast-paced environment of the events industry.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hannah volunteered for a Food Resilience Response Project, effectively utilising the skills she had learnt by leading a logistics team that coordinated the distribution of over 75,000 cooked meals across Edinburgh over a span of four months for families in need. This initiative gained recognition at the highest level, earning them a Queen's Award in 2021.
Ross Gunning
Event Manager
Based at Rosebery Estates
Ross honed his skills as an event manager with various catering companies before joining Wilde Thyme, gaining exposure to a diverse range of prestigious venues across Scotland such as the National Museum of Scotland and Hopetoun House. Ross is passionate about event management and tailoring each occasion to his clients' unique preferences. Having studied Music at the esteemed Royal Conservatoire of Scotland his background in music and theatre allows him to infuse events with creative flair and meticulous attention to detail.
Ross has demonstrated his capabilities by managing high-profile events such as the Commonwealth Games, European Championships, and numerous major sporting occasions. With a blend of industry experience, formal training, and innate creativity, Ross is a valuable asset in curating memorable events. His keen eye for detail and commitment to personalised service consistently exceed client expectations, and underscores his versatility and proficiency in creating truly remarkable experiences.
Grace Thomas
Event Manager
Currently, Grace is completing her degree in Business Management at the University of Glasgow, a pursuit that complements her practical experience and enhances her expertise in event management. Before joining Wilde Thyme, Grace gained extensive experience in the hospitality industry at Splendid. Starting as a waitress, she quickly demonstrated her dedication and gained a passion for the hospitality industry, working her way up to managing events. This allowed her to develop a deep understanding of the intricacies of event planning and management, which she found immensely enjoyable and fulfilling.
Grace has been involved in many VIP weddings and high-profile events, and her career has provided her with unique opportunities to work on high-end events abroad, including some prestigious events in Saudi Arabia.
Her attention to detail ensures that every aspect of event management is carefully planned and executed. She is dedicated to providing exceptional experiences for all clients, treating each event with the same level of care and commitment, no matter the size.