Meet the Team

Fiona Copley

I'm a self-taught chef and general food enthusiast now hooked on the buzz of the busy kitchen and married to my work. However, when I do manage to sneak away, I enjoy spending as much time as possible with my daughter and 2 year old granddaughter - I'm also rather soppy about my black Labrador, Chilli. My favourite place to be is the North Cornwall Coast, preferably in the sea!

Desert island foods:

Double cream
Spaghetti
Mature cheddar
Crisps
Tomatoes

Marilyn Botheras

Best described as Fiona’s right hand person. I helped her set up her first café in 2012. Before getting involved in the catering business, I was manager of a very large sports centre in Ware. My main duties are to do whatever, whenever and on many occasions with a hammer in hand!

Desert island foods:

Lamb stew and dumplings
Egg mayonnaise sandwiches on white bread - crusts off!
Sea bass
Roast chicken
Sweet potato

Campbell Tidey

Claire Banks

I joined the Copleys team in March 2012. Previous to this I was bringing up and feeding my family of four sporty and very hungry children and their many friends... so cooking for the hordes at the café is not so different to home! I trained at Leith’s School of Food and Wine and subsequently had several cooking jobs in the UK, Australia, France and Portugal. Outside of the kitchen, I enjoy playing tennis, cycling, walking, gardening and am an avid supporter of Bishop’s Stortford rugby club.

Desert Island Foods:

Aga baked potatoes with lots of butter
Braughing sausages
Prawns
Avocado
Garlic

Jayne Findlay

I'm multi-skilled - while I'm often found 'front of house', I'm also capable of standing in as head chef when required. I've been with the company since 2012. When not at work I can often been found “poo picking” on my family farm.

Desert Island Foods:

Potatoes
Chicken
Braughing sausages
Pork chop
Pulses

Lesley Johnstone

Originally from Scotland I have lived in the Hadhams for over 26 years and my children attended schools locally.

Most of my working career was involved with customer service. I joined the Team a few months after the first café opened in 2012 where I worked ‘front of house’ and got to know our customers!

Desert Island Foods:

Pasta
Risotto
My mum’s apple sponge
Greek salad
Tomatoes
(I suppose wine doesn’t count as food?)

Anna Rogers

I joined Copleys Food in March 2018 having formerly trained as a midwife. Since having my lovely three daughters, I have discovered my creative side and when at home, I spend a lot of my spare time making curtains and working with fabrics. I enjoy using my creative skills at work and particularly enjoy dressing events. I'm also very sociable and enjoy interacting with the customers.

Desert island foods:

Bread
Cheese
Dark chocolate
Roast lamb
Hopleys lasagne

Mary Devine

I‘m currently studying at the University of Leeds and I joined the Copleys team in April last year. I’ve always been to Hopleys with my family as I’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth - it’s my grandma’s favourite spot! So it was great to finally meet all the characters when I joined the team!

Desert island foods:

Chocolate
Brie
Olives
Pasta
Sticky toffee pudding

Daryl Cavill

While she was a student, my daughter started working with the café team and my introduction to Copleys was a delicious orange and rhubarb cake. After that, I had to follow my daughter, and I work on occasional events as well as providing part-time office support to Fiona and her staff.

Desert island foods:

Jersey Royal new potatoes
Goats curd cheese
Mangoes (tree ripened)
Runner beans
Cheese oat cakes

Kelsey Deadman

I have been working at Hopleys Café since March 2017. I’m currently studying Health and Social Care at Harlow College and am looking forward to going to university in September to study Paramedic Science. When I’m not at college or the café, I enjoy baking and spending time with family and friends.

Desert island foods:

Red Leicester
Nutella
Tuna
Salmon
Cookie dough ice cream

Imogen Patel

I started working at Hopleys just before my GCSEs and am currently studying Fine Art at Brighton University and working here in the holidays. I’ve enjoyed being a part of the friendly and supportive team and have discovered new skills like customer service, food preparation/presentation and making lots of canapés! I look forward to working in Spring/Summer seasons.

Desert island foods:

Garlic bread
Avocados
Roast potatoes
Watermelon
Brownie

Callum Saban

I joined the Hopleys team in 2013, working part-time whilst at school. I’m now studying mechanical engineering at Plymouth University but return to work at Hopleys during the holidays. In my spare time I enjoy cycling, tennis, cooking, and beer in the sunshine!

Desert island foods:

Ribeye steak
Chilli heatwave Doritos
Cadbury Eclairs
Cherry tomatoes
Mussels

Sheila Rogers

I’ve recently joined the team and have been wholeheartedly welcomed into the Hopleys Family. I retired last year and like to spend my spare time walking, as well as growing vegetables and flowers on our allotment with my husband of 45 years. I enjoy French conversation, yoga and helping out with my three small granddaughters.

Desert island foods:

Porridge
Bananas
Double cream
85% cocoa chocolate
Cheese