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Get your free copy10 April 2023, 08:31 AM
- Damien Byrne, founder of Hux, shares his inspiration, last supper, and the weirdest thing he's ever eaten with Speciality Food readers
What would you be doing if you weren’t in the food industry?
The food industry has me so captured I can’t imagine doing anything else. All other ideas haven’t endured beyond a wistful thought… At one point I wanted to be a doctor. At another point, I wanted to be a barman. I don’t think either would have panned out particularly well.
What was your first job?
Bread merchandising. 5am starts. Attempting to corral unwieldly bread dollies in supermarkets.
What inspires you?
Persistence; people that just steadfastly march on, irrespective of what they encounter. Also, generosity of time; it seems like the biggest gift anyone has to give.
What’s the worst job you’ve done?
Builder’s labourer. Jackhammering concrete all day to the point I couldn’t grip the steering wheel to drive home. I was probably doing it wrong.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
Being around the team. Especially when trying to tackle something that has no obvious solution. The obstacle is the way, in all senses.
And your least favourite?
Any and all forms of admin.
How about the food industry?
Food availability and quality are such intrinsic needs for everyone, every day. That makes anything attached to it feel worthwhile.
What would be your last supper?
Pizza and wine. The basics done really, really well.
What’s your motto?
Whatever you hope to do with ease, you must first learn to do it with diligence.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Emu. Conflicted moment eating the national emblem. Tasty though.
What’s your favourite book?
The Thought Gang by Tibor Fischer
Sweet or savoury?
Sweet!
