WHY WE EXIST
Circular Kitchens began with a simple idea: sustainability in hospitality should be practical, affordable and community-driven.
We work with restaurants, cafés, pubs, food stalls, caterers and suppliers to help accelerate the transition towards a plastic-free, ecological, local and zero-waste food system.
Our work combines sustainability support, community engagement, research, partnerships and hands-on collaboration with hospitality businesses.
MEET THE CORE TEAM
Dr. Naji Makarem
Founder & CEO
Associate Professor at UCL, Managing Parter at UrbanEmerge and founder of Circular Kitchens. Naji’s work focuses on circular economies, sustainable food systems and inclusive urban development. Circular Kitchens was created to help accelerate practical change in the hospitality sector through local action, collaboration and systems thinking.
“I believe more circular ways of thinking can help create food systems that are better aligned with the needs of people, communities and the environment — making sustainability both meaningful and commercially relevant.”
Lucy DiSanto
Partner, Co-founder & Operations Manager
Siobhan Forster
Platform developer (Normalising data & new user interface - coming soon)
Matt Collins (TGGs)
Co-founders, Website (Version 1) & Marketing
Bronwen Armstrong
Social Media & Film
James Levy-Vassie
Co-founder, Website design (Version 1)
Jonathan Wilkes
Accounting & Finance (Finance Director)
Oli Coles
Co-founder, Design & Branding (Sticker design & more)
Mpho Katjiuongua
Consulting support (UrbanEmerge)
Crina Pintea
Website Development (Version 2)
Andreas Beavor
Consulting support (UrbanEmerge)Board of Advisors
Marcus Link
Chris Evans
Built through collaboration
Circular Kitchens is supported by a growing network of chefs, researchers, students, designers, sustainability practitioners and community organisations working together to help reshape food systems from the ground up.
While we may not capture everyone below, we are deeply grateful for all the support that has helped bring this initiative to life.
Student volunteers
Working with the next generation of changemakers
Circular Kitchens has worked with student volunteers across a range of project teams supporting platform development and coding, the sustainable products database and scoring framework, research on local and ecological farms, expansion strategy, business planning and community composting initiatives.
Many of these collaborations have been facilitated through student teams recruited mostly by Headstart (as well a TOSCA and UCL 180 Degree Consulting), with students working directly alongside Circular Kitchens founder and CEO, Naji Makarem, gaining practical experience while contributing to more circular and sustainable food systems.
We believe students and young professionals have an important role to play in shaping the future of hospitality, sustainability and local economies.
The sustainable products database and scoring framework
(Oct. 2024) Research on local and ecological farms
(Nov. 2024)
Platform development and coding
(March 2025)
Business & Financial Plan
(June 2025)
Financial Plan & Expansion Strategy
(June 2025)
Sustainable Products Database
(Oct. 2025)
Council-led School Meal System
(Dec. 2025)
AI integration for the Sustainable Products Database
(Dec. 2025/Jan. 2026)
Community composting
(Jan. 2026)
Funding Application for sustainable products Database
(Jan. 2026)Local support network (Whitstable)
There are many people in East Kent and Whitstable (CT5) who have supported us in different ways since our launch in mid-2024, too many to name here. We are grateful for all the support, feedback and advice received from everyone.
We are particularly grateful to:
CIRCULAR KITCHENS REPRESENTATIVES
CK Reps work directly with hospitality businesses to support their sustainability journey on the ground — helping members navigate the framework, identify practical opportunities and connect with the wider Circular Kitchens network.
Naji Makarem – CK Rep, Whitstable
More CK Reps coming soon!
Interested in becoming a CK Rep in your post code?
PARTNERS & COLLABORATORS
We are in discussion with potential partners and collaborators including: