Join us on Oh for Food’s Sake this week as Amy welcomes Cameron Rigg, the Lead Product Developer at Tesco and Co-founder of Flourish in Food Mentoring.

We start with Cameron reminiscing about his early love for food and nutrition, ignited by his grandmother's baking and a remarkably supportive food technology teacher.

Cameron walks us through his career trajectory, from a placement year at Pizza Hut, a significant stint at Co-op where he transitioned from development to buying, and finally his current role at Tesco.

He opens up about his challenges, like the difficult decision to move back north and the hurdles of taking on a buying role during economically tumultuous times.

A key highlight of the episode is Cameron sharing how he balances his professional life while managing a substantial commute. He emphasises the importance of time management, setting boundaries, and prioritising personal well-being, offering actionable tips for anyone feeling the strain of their work schedule.

Cameron also elaborates on the origins and objectives of the Flourish in Food Mentoring scheme. Born out of a desire to support students affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Flourish is an initiative that pairs industry professionals with mentees, helping to nurture the next generation of food industry talent..

Cameron also gives us his perspective on the evolving work culture of Gen Z and Alphas, who are changing the game with their fresh take on work-life balance

Whether you’re looking to grow your own career, give back through mentoring, or just hear an inspiring story about thriving in the food retail industry, this episode is packed with insights and practical advice.

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction, Lucy’s Absence, and Welcoming Cameron Rigg

2:46 – Cameron’s Early Interest in Food and Influential Mentorship

5:40 – Sheffield Hallam University Experience and Placement at Pizza Hut

10:26 – Transition to Co-op and Career Growth

15:50 – The Move to Buying During Economic Challenges

18:50 – Returning to Development at Tesco

20:26 – Balancing a Challenging Commute & Work-Life Balance

25:00 – Flourish in Food Mentoring Scheme: Origins and Impact

30:50 – Generational Differences in Work Approaches

39:07 – Responsibility and Rewards of Working in Food Retail

45:02 – Effective Time Management and Avoiding Burnout

52:10 – Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

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Oh For Food's Sake is sponsored by Microsearch Laboratories: https://micro-search.co.uk/

See you next time!