Derek Sarno in

Derek Sarno

Commander · DISC type D
Founder, Chef & Creative Director at Kilaya's Kitchen LLC.
📍 United States

Derek Sarno is a pioneering plant-based chef with over 35 years of experience, known for his bold, chef-driven approach. He co-founded Wicked Kitchen and Good Catch Foods and spearheaded plant-based innovation at Tesco and Whole Foods Market, launching hundreds of successful products. He now runs Kilayas Kitchen, focusing on recipe development and teaching culinary techniques through digital content.

Outside the kitchen, Derek is passionate about sustainable food systems and mindfulness. He recently completed a 30-day silent retreat where he cooked over 1, 900 plant-based meals. His latest project involves transforming a former chicken farm into a sustainable mushroom-growing operation, reflecting his commitment to compassionate living and collaboration with small growers.

After spending years in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery learning to meditate and cook, he developed a food philosophy rooted in compassion.

Read the full overview →
Experience
15 Years
Current Role
Founder, Chef & Creative Director
Job Level
Leadership
Location
United States
Personality Overview

How Derek shows up

Risk-Taker
Decisive
Very Quick

They take a lot of pride in personal achievements. They like to move fast and expect the same from others. They are not always relationship oriented.

Priorities

Topics Derek cares about

Plant-Based Innovation
A central theme of his career, from leading initiatives at Tesco and Whole Foods to co-founding successful brands like Wicked Kitchen and Good Catch.
Sustainable Farming
Recently spearheaded a project to convert a former chicken farm into a sustainable mushroom-growing operation, showcasing his commitment to repurposing food systems.
+5 more topics Login to view topics
Career

Work history

2-2023
Founder, Chef & Creative Director
Kilaya's Kitchen LLC.
1-2016 - 1-2024
Chef | Co Founder
Wicked Kitchen
3-2017 - 1-2023
Executive Chef - Director of Plant Based Innovation
Tesco PLC
3-2016
Co-Founder
Good Catch Foods
12-2009 - 2-2016
Senior Global Executive Chef of Recipe and Product Development
Whole Foods Market
In the press

Media appearances

Meet Wicked Kitchen's Derek Sarno. Featured in Spotify
See now
Wicked Kitchen Chef Dishes on the Future of Vegan Food. Featured in VegNews
+4 more appearances Login to view media
Education
1970 - 2018
Better quality of life through understanding and checking motivations
School of common sense.
Social presence
in
Behavioral profile

DISC profile (public)

D

Dominance (D)

Dominance (D) reflects how goal and task oriented a person is, and their ability to accomplish results irrespective of how demanding the circumstances might be. Those scoring high tend to be motivated by winning, competition, and success.

More profiles

Discover additional public profiles from our index.

Unlock the full playbookSee exactly how to sell to Derek. Free, 10 seconds.