Meze Publishing is a creative collaboration of food-loving publishing professionals.
Launched in 2013 by cookbook designer Paul Cocker and experienced publisher Phil Turner, we specialise in cookbooks and have published over 100 to date, as well as a small number of children’s and comedy titles under two imprints, Mini Meze and Unfiltered. Back in our early days, Meze won Best Newcomer at the 2016 Independent Publishing Awards, and our managing director Phil Turner is now Chair of the Independent Publisher’s Guild (IPG) for 2022-23. Several of our books have become award-winners themselves, including For The Love of the Land by Jenny Jefferies, which won Best Cook Book by Woman and Home Magazine and whose debut author has since published three more successful books with us. Out of My Tree – Midsummer House by two-Michelin-starred chef Daniel Clifford was named as one of The Guardian’s top 20 cookbooks of 2018, and Meze publications are regularly featured in other high-profile media including Countryfile Magazine, The Daily Mail, Waitrose Magazine, Home and Garden and many more.
Meet the team
Phil Turner
Managing Director
I’ve run my own publishing business since 2003 when I launched my first enterprise, Exposed Magazine. Specialist cookbook publisher Meze followed ten years later and then business magazine unLTD in 2017. In 2021, Meze launched its latest imprint, Unfiltered, which specialises in humour and gift titles. As managing director, I oversee all aspects of both the books and magazines but am particularly involved in sales and distribution. Meze now has more than 100 books in its portfolio and in 2022 launched into the Australian market with the US following in 2023. Meze won Best New Publisher at the 2016 Independent Publisher’s Guild (IPG) Awards, the same year I was nominated as one of the industry’s rising stars by The Bookseller. I’m currently chairman of the IPG and looking forward to what we and the publishing industry can achieve next.
Paul Cocker
Creative Director & Head Designer
I started working as a graphic designer back in the early 1990s, having previously worked in architectural design and packaging design, but I always envisaged combining my love of food with my love of design to create a company like Meze. After working for most of the major publishers in the city over the last 25 years, I eventually decided to launch Meze Publishing in 2013 and a chance meeting with Phil and Nick shaped the company as it is today. It staggers me how much we have achieved so far, from publishing titles with Michelin-starred chefs, gaining multiple awards for both our business and our books, to releasing books in other countries around the world. I’m so proud of the company we’ve grown into, the team we have and the beautiful books we produce.
Katie Fisher
Writer & Editor
I’ve been with Meze for over five years and no two days are ever quite the same. From chatting with farmers and fishermen to interviewing some of the country’s most celebrated chefs, my role involves really getting to know our authors and the people who contribute to our books. I love crafting the right words to tell their stories and, believe it or not, I also enjoy correcting all the grammar in their recipes! As the editor, I get to see the book develop from start to finish and it’s always exciting to see the whole thing come together in print. Some of my favourite publications are the ones I have learnt most from, and I have a real soft spot for home baking, but every new project challenges us to continue creating brilliant books that we can genuinely be very proud of.
Emma Toogood
Retail & Publishing Manager
I’ve been with Meze for just over three years now and I love working in the creative world of the publishing industry. My job is split, so half my time is collating new books and speaking to chefs and home cooks who are interested in publishing with us. The other half of my job is getting those books in the right shops with the right retailers. This ranges from wholesalers and big chains to small farm shops and independent bookshops up and down the country! Our books have been sold at The Eden Project, in Harrods, Selfridges, Oliver Bonas, Booths and lots of other great places. This does mean I’m always switched on; I’ve spotted new places on many a weekend away that I think a certain book would look fabulous in. One of my favourite things is celebrating a new book with our author at their launch, and connecting face to face with retailers and fans who are excited to get their hands on a copy. Luckily for this role, I’m a massive food lover, so can talk about new restaurants all day, but this does mean my list of places to visit is never ending!
Lizzy Capps
Social Media & PR Manager
I’m the newest member of the Meze team, having joined in June 2021 after finishing a diploma in Marketing and Communications. My efforts are spread across Meze and its sister companies, Exposed magazine and UnLTD magazine. At Meze I run our Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube accounts, making content to grow our online presence and engage with our audience. In my first month our Instagram reach increased by 577%! This job gives me the freedom to promote Meze in many different ways; for example, I produced a YouTube documentary to help potential authors understand the publishing process from beginning to end. I also act as the Meze PR manager, meaning if press wish to feature a recipe from one of our books or interview one of our lovely authors they will do so through me. We’ve had features in The Independent, BBC Good Food, Woman & Home magazine, The Observer, and plenty more publications. I’m always looking for new ways to get us seen and heard about, whether that’s liaising with press or filming the office dogs for a bit of fun Insta content!