The Fearless Foodie Podcast

In this episode, we focus on a critical aspect of career development—owning your own growth.  We begin by highlighting the necessity of taking personal responsibility for professional development. Reflecting on our experiences, we stress that waiting for employers to offer training opportunities can hold you back. Instead, we urge listeners to look beyond current roles and consider the long-term s...

In today's episode, we encourage food industry professionals to rethink their approach to LinkedIn.  We acknowledge the reluctance many feel towards posting and engaging on the platform, aiming to dispel these fears.  Lucy shares how she began using LinkedIn during her time in recruitment and how it has been pivotal for her business ventures.  Amy discusses the importance of nurturing your LinkedI...

Healthy and sustainable product development is more challenging than ever, and in this episode, we break down the complexities faced by food professionals today.  We begin by noting the fluctuating definitions of "health" and how these affect consumer expectations and product development. As we highlight, developing products that not only meet these expectations but also taste good is no easy feat...

In this engaging episode, we set the stage by highlighting the food industry's growing need for accessible and accurate lifecycle analysis tools.  Together with our guests, we explore the journey started by Lucy's initial work on lifecycle projects and discuss the complexities of LCA processes, emphasising the transformation required to perform these at scale. Will Telford discusses the importance...

In this engaging conversation, we dissect the concept of trends, distinguishing between short-lived fads and long-term shifts in consumer behaviour.  We share historical examples like the cranberry craze initiated by Delia Smith and current trends like bubble tea, demonstrating how some ideas blossom into massive trends while others fizzle out.  Mushroom products and edible packaging emerge as poi...

In today's episode, we explore how creativity is more than just a natural gift; it involves preparation, incubation, and a strategic approach to ideation.  They discuss how the food industry can sometimes overlook the importance of creativity due to daily pressures and offer solutions to integrate innovation strategically.  Lucy shares her excitement about launching a new ideation course with fell...

The conversation opens with us discussing our personal experiences with being diagnosed with ADHD, shedding light on the strengths and challenges that accompany neurodivergence.  We acknowledge that neurodiversity goes beyond simple compliance with the Equality Act of 2010, focusing instead on creating environments where all employees can perform at their best.  We share anecdotes illustrating how...

We chatted with Danny Franklin, returning guest and managing director at Microsearch Laboratories. Together we explore the importance of allergen management, spurred by high-profile cases in the UK, where contamination led to widespread recalls. Danny explains how food factories often react to major incidents rather than proactively prevent them, a mindset he aims to shift.  We highlight the growt...

We kick off this week’s episode by delving into Mel Robbins' "Let Them" theory, a technique that promotes managing challenging relationships by focusing on personal reactions and control, rather than trying to change others.  With our combined decades of experience in the food industry, we present relatable anecdotes and professional insights, illustrating the daily struggles faced in the sector,...

In this episode, Lucy shares how a recent health scare forced her to take a step back and reassess what really matters. We get into the constant juggle between work and personal life, the challenges of staying focused on long-term goals, and how to stay true to your core values—even when life throws curveballs. We break down practical tools like the urgent vs. important matrix and time blocking—no...

In this episode, we dive into DISC profiling—a powerful tool for understanding personal and team dynamics. Lucy shares her journey of self-discovery, reflecting on how her initial assumptions about her dominant traits were turned on their head, and how gaining clarity on her true preferences has completely changed the way she works. Amy breaks down the different DISC types and their relevance in f...

In this engaging episode, we start with the definitions and importance of establishing boundaries, particularly within the food industry where the pace never slows.  We discuss the societal pressures and personal characteristics, like people-pleasing tendencies, that often lead to poor boundary-setting. Lucy opens up about her journey of not considering boundaries until just a few years ago, highl...

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...

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....

 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...

We kick off the episode by dissecting the nuanced differences between coaching and mentoring. We explain that while coaches help individuals draw their own conclusions, mentors offer the benefit of their hindsight and experience.  Drawing from our year-long journeys with Flourish in Food mentoring scheme, both hosts share personal anecdotes about the monumental shifts in their careers over the pas...

Susan begins by sharing her the challenges she experienced with engaging in IFST as a student and early career professional engaging in IFST, which stemmed from geographical and time-related issues. Things took a turn when she transitioned into freelance consultancy, a shift that allowed her to get more deeply involved. Starting with the Midlands branch, she eventually took the lead in establishin...

Lucy welcomes listeners to the first episode of 2025, acknowledging the unique pressures and chaos that food industry professionals face in January.  Together, Amy and Lucy share four practical strategies to help listeners prioritise their work, set boundaries, plan recovery time, and maintain connections with their support network. Throughout the episode, they touch on personal anecdotes and prac...

In this episode, we’re joined by Tor Hunt Taylor, Marketing Director at The Collective, to explore the challenges and opportunities of driving sustainability in the food industry. Tor shares her thoughts on the importance of networking and transparency, emphasizing how platforms like B Corp are instrumental for staying informed on advancements and navigating policy changes. These connections have...

Lucy opens up about how working with coaches and mentors has been a game-changer, giving her the clarity and confidence to push forward in both life and business. She even shares a courageous journey through the small claims court process, which she found hugely empowering and a significant growth opportunity. Amy shares her own story of navigating a tricky client relationship, the freedom that co...

The episode starts with Lucy talking to Bobby Edge Partington, Senior Communications Manager at the Institute of Food Science and Technology  The IFST celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2024 and the conference serves as a platform for discussing advancements like AI in food production and sustainability and we also talk about future initiatives for the IFST and its membership opportunities. Lucy t...

In our chat with Fran Haycock, we unravel how businesses are shifting their sustainability approaches to embrace transformation leadership roles. Fran explains the increasing need for CSOs to spearhead rapid transformation programs while balancing compliance elements. This dual focus often leads to structural changes within organisations, as seen in Greencore’s internal restructuring, which involv...

In today's episode, we welcome Simon Bos, the visionary behind Mezze and Gravity Well.  Simon, who has a deep understanding of both tech and food industries, discusses the pressing issue of technological inefficiencies in food manufacturing. He narrates the story of how Mezze was conceptualised during a collaboration with one of the UK's largest food manufacturers, which initially relied on a call...

During the episode, we discuss the importance of embracing the role of a people manager once you transition into leadership. The shift from being task-focused to people-focused is pivotal. We share personal stories about how this shift has impacted us and the teams we’ve managed We also touch upon the art of effective delegation. We open up about our struggles with perfectionism and how letting go...

In this insightful episode, we explore the evolving landscape of procurement within the food industry with our guest, Michelle Bailey.  We kick off the episode discussing the pivotal role of streamlined procurement processes and the benefits of enabling employees to access product information group-wide, driving efficiency and reducing complexity. Lucy suggests an ambitious idea: an industry-wide...