• How did you end up in this job?

I was not sure what I wanted to do when I left school, university didn't appeal to me, and I wanted to get stuck into work. Some family friends took management of my local pub and were looking for an apprentice chef; I have always been interested in food and I love cooking, so I joined them as an apprentice. After I completed my level 2 apprenticeship, I realised the hospitality industry was not for me. I started researching roles int he food industry and came across product development. I still wasn’t interested in taking as traditional university route, so I started looking for degree apprenticeships. I saw my role advertised on the government 'find an apprenticeship' website and applied!

• What's the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is that I get to work on iconic food brands like Bisto and Paxo, with exposure to many more like Sharwood’s, Cadbury, and Mr Kipling. I love the balance between desk-based and practical work. I spend most of my time working on new recipes in the development kitchen. The kitchen work is practical and hands-on and a great way to collaborate with team members. The rest of my time is spent doing desk work; this consists of attending meetings, calculating costings, and designing new recipes. No two days are the same and the work is very varied.

• If you had the chance to do it all over again, what would you do the same / differently?

If I were to do it all over again, I would still apply for apprenticeships. My apprenticeship has really supported my learning style and helped me apply what I have learned. I am constantly seeing things I have learned about at university in the real world and that is extremely valuable to me. 
One thing I would do differently is that I would believe in myself more and be more confident that I am doing the right thing.

• ​If you could give your 16 year old self some career advice, what would it be?

I would say to do something you enjoy and don't follow the crowd!

• What advice would you give to someone thinking of pursuing this career?

I would advise people to research their favourite food brands. You may be surprised to find out who manufactures them and the range of roles they have available. I had never heard of Premier Foods before I applied for my appprenticeship, but I certainly knew the brands they own!