The Student: Ellie Spicer

Ellie Spicer’s journey from fashion to food began with a childhood in the countryside, surrounded by dairy and produce farming. Her father ran a family greengrocers and meals at home were always made up of excellent fruit and veg.

‘I feel extremely lucky that all our meals were homemade growing up. We ate really simply, but we ate really well.’

But while, Ellie says, ‘that connection to food has always been there’, it was the release of a seminal film that inspired her to pursue a career in fashion.

‘When I was 14, the Devil Wears Prada came out. Watching that film really cemented to me that I wanted to be a fashion journalist. I knew I wanted to work in fashion and I knew I wanted to be a writer more than anything. So that’s what I pursued.’

Ellie studied fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion before writing for the editorial departments in a variety of major retailers, before joining M&S nine years ago. She also ran wrote a food blog, under a pseudonym, for many years.

But in 2024, things changed when Ellie was diagnosed with a health condition.

‘There were a lot of tough conversations around that time – my husband asked me “what do you want to do with your life?” And the first thing I said was “I want to cook.” I didn’t even have to think about it.’

‘From that moment on, the journey to Leiths began. I came to an Open Day in the first week of October, and as I walked out of the building, I phoned my Mum and said: “this is where I’m supposed to be.” I literally signed up the next day.’

Despite describing the decision to come to Leiths as a ‘financial risk but also an emotional risk’, Ellie’s decision to take the leap has paid off as she has used her training on the Foundation Certificate to make a career move from fashion to food.

As she learnt to joint chickens, prepare stock from scratch and make pastry, Ellie was also interviewing for a role as Food Content Editor at M&S. In early November, halfway through the course, she heard the news she’d been successful.

‘I love being a writer, I love having that skill set, but I do think that it is a job that is at risk at the moment, particularly from things like AI.

‘Now, in cooking, I have a skill that I can use for the rest of my life.’

But before she starts the role in February, she has work experience lined up at St John Marylebone, Gina (Ravneet Gill’s restaurant in Chingford) and an impressive paid work placement abroad too.

‘I’m going to Switzerland for 10 days to work at the World Economic Forum in Davos as a commis chef. I’ve never left the UK by myself, so going to this job is absolutely terrifying but also exhilarating. It’s my Devil Wears Prada Paris moment! Hopefully I don’t throw my phone into a fountain.’

As she comes close to heading into the industry, Ellie describes what a life-changing experience training at Leiths has been.

‘Leiths is a place you can be yourself and you’re rewarded for it – a place where independence is celebrated. We’re all so different but we’re connected by this shared love of food. It’s a really special place and I feel very lucky to have come here.’