Julia Hetherton is the Executive Head Chef at The Assembly House and has worked alongside Richard for many years. Born In Gorleston, Julia grew up in Zimbabwe, before returning to Norfolk to train at City College Norwich, winning multiple student of the year awards. She is a former Norfolk Young Chef of the Year has competed in the Académie Culinary Arts Patisserie Awards, has acted as Commis at National Chef of the Year competitions and has demonstrated her chocolate skills across the country. Julia ran the pastry section at The Lavender House, where her chocolate box was a highlight of the multi-course tasting menus. She took over as Head Chef at The Assembly House in 2009 before moving to head up Strattons of Swaffham for six years, before returning to The House as Executive Chef in 2021. Julia’s real passion is for all things chocolate and has she has trained alongside industry legends such as William Curley, UK Chocolate Ambassador Gary Hunter, Raymond Blanc, Benoit Blin and Angela Hartnett.