Leon: Fast Vegetarian

Leon was founded on the twin principles that food can both taste good and do you good.

When Henry Dimbleby, John Vincent and Allegra McEvedy opened their first restaurant, on London's Carnaby Street in July 2004, their aim was to change the face of fast food. Six months after opening, Leon was named the Best New Restaurant in Great Britain at the Observer Food Monthly Awards (by a judging panel that included Rick Stein, Gordon Ramsay, Nigel Slater, Heston Blumenthal, Ruth Rogers and Jay Rayner).

There are now 43 Leon restaurants.

Jane Baxter is co-author of The Riverford Farm Cook Book, which won Best First Book and Work on British Food at the Guild of Food Writers' awards. Jane worked at the Carved Angel in Dartmouth and the River Cafe before becoming the Head Chef at the Field Kitchen, the restaurant for Riverford Organic Vegetables. She now spends her time catering, consulting on local food matters in Devon and hosting food events in unusual locations.

Henry Dimbleby also co-authored Leon: Naturally Fast Food and Leon: Baking & Puddings. He and John Vincent are currently advising the UK government with their School Food Plan.