In this enlightening episode, we delve deep into the exhilarating yet challenging transition to a management or leadership role. As many of us know, moving up the career ladder comes with its own set of joys and struggles. With 20 years of combined experience in the food industry, we share actionable insights and personal anecdotes to help you navigate this shift more smoothly. Whether you're already in a leadership position or aspiring to be, this episode is packed with tips on what to...

In episode 175 of "Oh For Foods Sake", we are joined by procurement legend Michelle Bailey. With over 35 years in the food manufacturing industry, Michelle shares her wealth of knowledge about the evolving world of procurement. The conversation dives deep into the significance of having strong systems and visibility in business processes, the importance of supplier feedback, and the crucial role of category strategies in enhancing transparency and efficiency. Michelle reflects on her...

In Episode 174 of the "Oh for Foods Sake" podcast, we delve into the ever-important topic of sustainability within the food industry. The conversation kicks off with Lucy sharing her recent insights from her work with the Future Food Movement, emphasising how the biggest sustainability impact lies not in packaging but in the ingredients and sourcing. Throughout the episode, we unpack the intricacies of why sustainability is crucial, touching on the alarming statistics surrounding global...

In this episode of "Oh for Foods Sake" we dive into an inspiring conversation with our special guests, Amie Burke and Amie Brown, who share valuable insights into their career progression within the food and drink industry. Amie Burke discusses the "Mmmake Your Mark" initiative, a groundbreaking campaign designed to address labour shortages and skills gaps by inspiring diverse individuals to share their career stories and explore new opportunities whilst Amie Brown recounts her own career...

In this episode of Oh For Food's Sake we tackle the challenging topic of managing difficult personalities in meetings, affectionately dubbed as "meeting saboteurs." This episode is packed with practical advice for food industry professionals who frequently encounter disruptive behaviours in their meetings. From "the Dominator" to "the Wet Blanket," we break down each troublesome personality type, providing actionable strategies to manage and mitigate their impact. Whether you’re dealing...

In this episode, we dive into the pervasive issue of food waste in households. We are joined by Kate Hall, founder of the Full Freezer method and a food waste expert. We explore how utilising freezers efficiently can significantly reduce food waste, save money, and enhance culinary experiences without relying on batch cooking. Kate shares her insights on organising freezers to allow spontaneous use of ingredients while dispelling myths about freezing safety.

In this episode of Oh for Foods Sake, we delve into the intricate world of creativity within the food industry. Drawing inspiration from a paper by Arne Dietrich, we explore various types of creativity through a compelling quadrant model. We dissect how creativity manifests both deliberately and spontaneously, and how both cognitive and emotional approaches can lead to innovative solutions and groundbreaking products. From Thomas Edison's iterative innovations to the spontaneous...

In this episode of "Oh For Foods Sake” we dive into an enlightening conversation with Julianne Ponan, the founder of Creative Nature and a dedicated allergy campaigner. Julianne shares her personal experiences with severe allergies, the evolution of allergy awareness, and the real-life challenges faced by individuals with airborne allergens, especially in confined spaces like airplanes. Tune in to hear about her advocacy work, her impactful TED talk, and her mission to make the world a...

In this episode of "Oh For Food’s Sake," we delve into the intricacies and often overlooked challenges faced by New Product Development (NPD) teams within the food industry. We reflect on the undervaluation of the NPD function and highlight the immense skill and dedication required to navigate this complex field. Drawing from our extensive experience, discussing the balance between maintaining product quality and managing costs, the constant changes in compliance and guidelines, and the...

In this episode of "Oh For Food’s Sake," we welcome Jules Greene as we delve into the critical role of market research in the food industry. We discuss the importance of incorporating real-life context and using the appropriate methodologies to gather actionable insights. The conversation highlights the need to blend consumer feedback with practical considerations and emphasises the evolving future of market research, including continuous consumer engagement and the use of advanced...

In this episode of "Oh For Food’s Sake," we welcome Georgina Earing to discuss the intricacies of stakeholder management, especially during periods of expansion and digitalisation. Georgina, the Product Development Manager at Simply Lunch, shares her career journey and the transferable skills that have been critical in her role. Together, we explore project management challenges, the importance of effective communication, and keeping teams engaged. Georgina also delves into Simply Lunch’s...

In this summer rewind episode, we dive into one of our most popular and cherished topics—time management. This episode provides invaluable tips and strategies for anyone in the food industry looking to improve their productivity and manage their time more efficiently. We take you through the nuances of prioritising tasks, time blocking, and combatting procrastination, all while sharing our unique experiences from our extensive careers as food industry consultants and coaches.

In our third Summer Rewind episode, we dive into the topic of emotional intelligence and its importance in the food industry. We discuss what emotional intelligence is, why it matters at work, and how it can help you navigate difficult conversations and situations. We share some key definitions and explain how having a high EQ (emotional quotient) can actually be more beneficial in the workplace than a high IQ. We also talk about how emotional intelligence allows you to be more...

In this summer rewind episode, we revisit one of our favourite topics from the early days of the podcast - mindset and why it matters at work. We dive into the concept of growth mindset versus fixed mindset, which was developed by Carol Dweck in the 1980s. A fixed mindset is when people believe their intelligence and talent are fixed traits, while a growth mindset is when people believe they can develop their qualities through dedication and hard work. We discuss how having a growth...

In the first of summer rewind episodes, we revisit the topic of perfectionism and how it can hold us back in our careers and businesses. As recovering perfectionists ourselves we share our own experiences and offer tips on how to let go of the need to be perfect all the time. We emphasise the importance of recognising when perfectionism is holding us back, finding perspective, and being okay with not getting everything right the first time.

In this episode of "Oh for Food Sake," we welcome two incredible guests, April Dear senior product development manager at Asda and Kirsty Henshaw founder of Kirsty's during our live episode recording at our recent Nourish Your Network event. April, shares her journey from working in kitchens to managing a team, while Kirsty discusses the challenges of starting her own company, including dealing with her son's allergies and setting up a food factory during lockdown. We delve into the...

In this episode of Oh for Foods Sake, we dive deep into the world of entrepreneurship with our guest, Dave Christie. Dave shares his journey from his early entrepreneurial endeavours to his current ventures, which include Take on Goliath, a coaching and mentoring business, and a tech company focused on environmental sustainability. Throughout the episode, we discuss the importance of social support, resilience, open communication, and learning from failures. The conversation also extends...

In this episode of "Oh for Foods Sake," we delve into the intricacies of coaching within the food industry, highlighting its transformative potential for teams. We emphasise that coaching isn't a perpetual hand-holding exercise but rather a forward-thinking approach that equips teams with the skills to thrive independently in the future. We discuss the importance of embedding coaching practices into company culture and extend an invitation to listeners to join our Facebook group and to...

In this episode of "Oh For Foods Sake," we are joined by Will Dickinson to explore the complexities and rewards of transitioning from a kitchen role to a corporate one. He discusses how shifting from being a Head Chef to a Development Chef brings about not only personal growth but also the need to adapt to a completely different environment, where the pressure to produce new products is intense and time for research and development is minimal. Will shares his personal journey, from starting...

In this episode of "Oh For Foods Sake," we explore the critical topic of onboarding new talent into the food industry. We start by discussing the importance of making new employees feel valued and highlight the current crisis of talent shortage. The conversation includes an anonymous story from a listener who faced significant challenges during her placement year, shedding light on the often-overlooked aspects of welcoming newcomers in the professional setting. We emphasise the need for...

In this episode of "Oh For Foods Sake," we dive deeply into the concept of the "healthism narrative" with Mel Wakeman. Mel sheds light on the societal expectation that individuals manage their health simply through diet and exercise, despite the multitude of factors influencing overall health. We traverse the complex relationship between diet, food choices, and societal pressures, deconstructing widespread assumptions about ultra-processed foods.

In this episode of "Oh for Food's Sake," we delve into the Stage Gate process, clarifying its flexibility and benefits for product development in the food industry. We tackle common misconceptions, highlight the importance of a well-implemented process, and share practical insights from our experiences.

In this inspiring episode of "Oh For Food’s Sake," we dive deep into Laoise Casey’s fascinating journey from being an HR manager to becoming the head of food at Plate Up. Laoise shares her personal story of transformation, describing how a personal crisis involving her father's illness prompted her to reevaluate her career path and embrace her passion for cooking. From audaciously pitching her recipes to the Evening Standard to working alongside renowned chefs in high-pressure kitchens,...

In this episode of Oh For Food’s Sake, we delve into the crucial topic of giving honest feedback in a professional setting, specifically tailored for professionals in the food industry. We examine the unique challenges of delivering feedback in this industry, the vital role of directness combined with empathy, and practical models to enhance this skill. Drawing from the insights of Kim Scott's book, 'Radical Candor', we provide valuable strategies for fostering a culture of open, constructive...