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

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

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

See you next time!

In this episode we both highlight the growing importance of AI in everyone’s daily routines, noting how it can save hours of work, particularly for freelancers and small business owners who manage multiple roles.

We emphasise that while AI tools like ChatGPT are incredibly useful, it's crucial to understand their limitations and ensure the final output aligns with your own professional expertise.

Our conversation then shifts to specific examples of how we use ChatGPT daily—from crafting assertive emails and generating presentation outlines to analysing data and planning LinkedIn posts.

We also discuss the benefits of AI in relieving mental load, especially for tasks that are time-consuming or creatively demanding.

However, we caution listeners against blindly trusting AI outputs, stressing the importance of fact-checking and personalisation.

Amy shares her experience of using Otter AI for real-time transcription of meetings and events, including a humorous account of using it during her child's parents’ evening.

We wrap up by encouraging listeners to experiment with AI tools, share their experiences, and think of AI as a helpful friend rather than a replacement for their professional skills.

Timestamps

[00:00:00] Lucy’s experience with ChatGPT for translating PDFs

[00:01:02] Introduction: Embracing AI in everyday life

[00:02:28] Risks and limitations of AI in larger businesses

[00:03:39] ChatGPT: What it is and how it works

[00:07:25] Practical uses of AI: Writing emails and presentations

[00:14:48] Data analysis and meal planning using AI

[00:22:07] Encouraging AI experimentation and real-life examples

[00:26:56] Summary and closing remarks

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

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

See you next time!

Today on "Oh For Food's Sake," we welcome Nicky Foster to explore the complexities of confidence and leadership challenges in the food industry.

Confidence, often hampered by imposter syndrome and self-doubt, can be nurtured through small, consistent actions that build competence and self-belief. Our discussion highlights the impact of gender socialisation, where societal expectations differ for girls and boys, often creating a bias when women appear more confident and assertive.

Nicky shares her experiences from her retail career, including the trials of advocating for flexible working as a new parent and the profound personal growth following redundancy. She uses powerful analogies to illustrate her goal of helping women achieve success more easily. Nicky emphasises authenticity in leadership, challenging the outdated notion that women must emulate male behaviours to succeed.

We also tackle the topic of maternity leave, discussing the loss of confidence, the physical and mental toll of childbirth, and the importance of recovery and support systems. Nicky and Amy stress the need for women to lean into their true selves, to set boundaries, and to ask for help — especially crucial when returning to work after maternity leave.

The conversation highlights the value of women supporting women, sharing successes and challenges, and fostering a strong, supportive network.

Nicky ends the discussion by introducing her new program aimed at building clarity, confidence, and community among women leaders, Fearless Women: Empowered to Rise.

The Fearless Women’s Programme is a comprehensive journey designed to tackle the unique challenges women face in professional roles.

Do you find yourself holding back in meetings? Struggling to build your network? Or feeling like you have to prove yourself twice as hard to be taken seriously?

You’re not alone, and this programme is here to change that.

Whether you’re battling self-doubt, feeling stuck, or just searching for a clearer sense of direction, this programme will guide you to unlock the confidence, clarity, and connections you need to move forward.

You can join the waiting list for this programme and register for a live webinar on the 24th January by clicking on the links in the Links & Resources section.

Timestamps

[00:02:30] Introduction to Nicky Foster and her journey in the food retail industry.

[00:05:15] The recurring challenge of confidence and imposter syndrome.

[00:08:40] Gender socialisation and societal pressure on women.

[00:12:10] Nicky’s personal career stories and lessons learned.

[00:18:00] The importance of authenticity in leadership.

[00:21:45] Challenges faced by women returning from maternity leave.

[00:25:30] The significance of a supportive network and women’s tribes.

[00:29:50] Building confidence through actionable steps and self-reflection.

[00:34:00] Introduction to Nicky's new confidence-building program.

[00:38:15] Upcoming events and closing thoughts.

Links and Resources:

Website Link: https://ohforfoodssake.co.uk/

FB Link: https://www.facebook.com/ohforfoodsake

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/oh-for-food-s-sake/

You can follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oh_forfoodssake/

For industry consulting from Lucy, connect with her on Instagram or LinkedIn.

Find her on Instagram or LinkedIn for further support with industry coaching and facilitation from Amy.

Fearless Women Programme Wait List https://foodies.fearlessfoodies.co.uk/fearlesswomen

Fearless Women Webinar Registration https://foodies.fearlessfoodies.co.uk/webinar

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

See you next time!