“The food industry has changed so much”

WHAT WOULD YOU BE DOING IF YOU WEREN’T IN THE FOOD INDUSTRY?
I’d be working on local environment issues – biodiversity and volunteering.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
I worked as assistant to the designer at the Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?
Nature – it never disappoints.

WHAT’S THE WORST JOB YOU’VE DONE?
Packing pills for GlaxoSmithKline as a student.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE PART OF THE JOB?
Talking to customers and working on one-off projects that make a real difference.

AND YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE?
Some of the necessary repetition you need to do to run a business, like dealing with paperwork!

HOW ABOUT THE FOOD INDUSTRY?
The food industry has changed so much in the 30 years since I started Rosebud Preserves. Certain aspects are heading in the right direction, such as the focus on sustainability, organic, vegetarian/ vegan, provenance, quality, local food and ingredients. It’s so much more thoughtful today.

TEA OR COFFEE?
Both – green tea or a good quality cappuccino.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR LAST SUPPER?
A selection of really fresh salads followed by a summer pudding, which I love.

WHAT’S YOUR MOTTO?
Do your best and don’t give up.

WHAT’S THE WEIRDEST THING YOU’VE EVER EATEN?
Chinese century eggs that came in a pot that were preserved in clay. I only ate a little bit of one!

WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?
I love the work of Thomas Hardy. My favourite is Far From the Madding Crowd.

SWEET OR SAVOURY?
Savoury every time.