Chef who served as Jeffrey Epstein's personal cook from May through November 2012. Derby worked at Epstein's properties in Palm Beach, the New Mexico ranch, and Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He voluntarily left the position in November 2012. Derby's name appears across more than 1,200 documents in the released files, primarily in email correspondence covering meal planning, food procurement, travel logistics, and kitchen operations.
Emails show him coordinating with Epstein's staff on provisions, equipment purchases (such as a cast iron skillet requested for searing steaks), and travel arrangements including passport requirements for island trips. He communicated with other Epstein staff members including Karyna Shuliak and Lesley Groff. Derby is now the culinary director at The Halyard at Sound View in Greenport, New York, on Long Island's North Fork. The NY Post and multiple outlets reported on his appearance in the DOJ files in February 2026.
His role was strictly culinary, and the released documents contain no criminal allegations against him. The frequent "jerky" references in the files relate to beef jerky Derby prepared from dry-aged New York strip steak, which Snopes addressed after conspiracy theories circulated online. A Catherine Derby (possibly related) also appears on at least two Epstein flight manifests from late 2006/2007.
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Francis Derby is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
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About Francis Derby
Who is Francis Derby?
Chef who served as Jeffrey Epstein's personal cook from May through November 2012. Derby worked at Epstein's properties in Palm Beach, the New Mexico ranch, and Little St. James in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He voluntarily left the position in November 2012. Derby's name appears across more than 1,200 documents in the released files, primarily in email correspondence covering meal planning, food procurement, travel logistics, and kitchen operations. Emails show him coordinating with Epstein's staff on provisions, equipment purchases (such as a cast iron skillet requested for searing steaks), and travel arrangements including passport requirements for island trips. He communicated with other Epstein staff members including Karyna Shuliak and Lesley Groff. Derby is now the culinary director at The Halyard at Sound View in Greenport, New York, on Long Island's North Fork. The NY Post and multiple outlets reported on his appearance in the DOJ files in February 2026. His role was strictly culinary, and the released documents contain no criminal allegations against him. The frequent "jerky" references in the files relate to beef jerky Derby prepared from dry-aged New York strip steak, which Snopes addressed after conspiracy theories circulated online. A Catherine Derby (possibly related) also appears on at least two Epstein flight manifests from late 2006/2007.
What is Francis Derby's connection to Jeffrey Epstein?
Francis Derby appears in 1,300 case documents, 0 flight logs, and 0 emails from the Epstein investigation files.
Is Francis Derby in the Epstein files?
Yes. Francis Derby is referenced in 1,300 documents from the Epstein case files, including court filings, FBI reports, and DOJ releases.
This dossier on Francis Derby was compiled from court records, flight logs, and public documents. 100% free, ad-free, and independent.