27
sector, so being a ‘people person’ with
good communication skills is also an
advantage.” Because of the nature of the Case study
food and drink industry, interviewers will
be looking for candidates who are able
to approach issues logically, coolly and
Melissa
service. She now works for Lincolnshire
rationally, defusing potential problems while
Monks
County Council, as part of Mouchel’s
tackling any serious situations. Accuracy
catering arm, helping ensure that more
and attention to detail is another crucial
Melissa, 23,
than the 370 primary and secondary
attribute – particularly so in food and drink
is a food in
schools are meeting the Government’s
manufacture where public health and
schools advisor
food and nutrient-based standards by
safety is paramount.
for Lincolnshire
offering support and guidance:
County Council
Hospitality and catering
working in
“My role also includes visiting primary
Working in the food and drink industry
partnership with Mouchel, the consulting
and secondary schools for healthy eating
doesn’t necessarily mean working in
and business services group.
talks, holding workshops for parents and
factories or supermarkets – the country’s
carers on healthy packed lunches, food
thousands of cafés, restaurants, bars,
She joined the company in August 2007
events at school fairs and offering advice
pubs, clubs, hotels and conference
after completing her degree at Sheffield
where needed to the community.”
centres all need high-quality employees.
Hallam University, where she gained a 2:1
Whether you’re looking at a food-related
degree in Food Marketing Management.
Melissa adds: “My job is so diverse – it’s
job – such as a chef or catering manager
never the same each day. I’m also lucky
– or a general management or supervisory
Melissa says: “I always knew I wanted to
in that we get to work with and meet
role, it’s essential you’re absolutely
do something in the food industry as I’m
lots of different people, and of course
customer focused.
really passionate about food and healthy
interact with the school children. I enjoy
eating. The job has been a good choice
it because my time is split between the
Terry Webb, Principal Lecturer at Thames
for me so far – it can be challenging but
office and visits to schools.
Valley University’s London School of
I’m really enjoying it.
Tourism, Hospitality and Leisure, says:
“My favourite part of the role is the
“The food and drink industry has many
“I did a year work placement as part of
food workshops we run through
opportunities to travel, work in different
my degree for a large food company. I
Mouchel Catering with the schools a
areas and explore different cultures. You
worked as a new product development
couple of times a month, educating
need people skills to be able to deal with
technologist which was very rewarding.
children about nutrition and healthy
situations, make decisions and be a team
My role often involved developing
eating. The exhibitions we hold are
player. The hours can be long, tiring and
new healthy products and nutritionally
also really rewarding.
hectic, however you really have to have
analysing them.
a passion to succeed. The business is
“Sometimes there can be a perception
based on a hard-working ethos, and the
“Although I enjoyed the job, it helped
of us being a bit like the ‘food police’
concept of ‘starting at the bottom and
me to realise that I wanted a job where
in schools but we’ve formed great
working your way up’ definitely applies.
I would be working directly with the
relationships with the school catering
The industry can be tough, especially
public, educating and supporting them
managers who know we are there to
if you have to work when others are
about how to lead a healthier lifestyle.”
support them.”
enjoying themselves. Working in the food
industry is fundamentally a service so
Melissa got her current job after seeing it
For more information log onto
having a good attitude and the willingness
advertised through her university careers
www.mouchel.com/careers
to work hard is essential.”
Careers advisor and occupational KEY CONTACTS
psychologist Sherridan Hughes
(www.sherridanhughes.com) agrees it’s
Food and Drink Federation –
www.fdf.org.uk
important to have the right sort of personality
and mind-set: “In hospitality, one seems to
Improve Ltd - UK sector skills council for food and drink manufacturing –
lurch from one crisis to the next, which can
www.improveltd.co.uk
be stimulating for some and torturous for
others who like everything planned and to
Institute of Hospitality –
www.instituteofhospitality.org
go to order. A strong personality, ability to
cope with pressure and a sense of humour British Institute of Innkeeping –
www.bii.org
is vital for service industries.”
GradJobs Magazine | Autumn 08
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