Group Industry Placement - Science - From Farm to Fork: Understanding the Critical Role of Food Technologists
Join Robin Leaper, Education and Careers Manger at the Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST), Phil Mitchell, Technical & Responsible Sourcing Manager at Innocent Drinks, and Daniel Papworth, Senior Research and Development Technician at JDM Food Group, as they explore the science behind the farm-to-fork process.
Robin Leaper, Education and Careers Manager at IFST, has a Food Science degree from the University of Nottingham, experience with PepsiCo, a master’s degree in research with McCain Foods, and a background as a researcher for Channel 4's ‘Food Unwrapped.’ He now leads IFST’s education and careers activities. In this session Robin will explore the food sector, the UK’s largest manufacturing industry, contributing £38 billion to the economy and employing 500,000 people. Topics include an introduction to food science, career opportunities, a virtual tour of Cadbury’s chocolate factory, and a day in the life of an innocent drinks apprentice.
Phil Mitchell manages the safety, quality, and sustainability of Innocent's fruit ingredients and is the company’s allergen expert. With an MSc in Food Science, he is a chartered scientist with over 20 years of experience in the food industry, including 6 years at Innocent and 5 years as a technologist at Marks & Spencer. In this session, Phil will walk you through a dramatised, fast-paced day in his role—starting with an urgent call at 8am about a supplier's orange juice factory burning down and his mission to approve a new juice source by the end of the day.
Daniel Papworth brings expertise in food product development, legislation, health and safety, and technical management. Specialising in hazard analysis, food safety management, microbiology, and raw material quality control, Daniel ensures operational excellence. He will cover topics such as food packaging, legislation, health and safety, and technical management. Daniel uses data-driven decisions to promote sustainable practices and continuous improvement in food production.
A Q&A session will follow with all speakers, offering a chance to dive deeper into the topics. Feel free to bring your lunch and join us for this informative session!