Rachel is the Volunteer of the Week for her help in organising the regional event in Scotland for the upcoming IFST Lecture.
How does it feel to be recognised as Volunteer of the Week?
Very honoured! It's great to know that our effort at branch level is noticed.
Why is it important to be a member of a body like IFST
I think it's important that there is a professional body to support those who have studied Food Science and Technology and/or are working in the field. Being a member of the IFST provides the recognition of a subject matter that I think is still relatively unknown to the general public, and provides a great opportunity for CPD and networking.
You are an active member of the Scotland Branch, tell us a little more
The Scotland branch covers a huge geographical area so it can be difficult to meet up with branch members regularly. However, the committee manage to get together and work collaboratively with other key stake holders in the industry e.g. SFDF (Scottish Food and Drink Federation). We have taken part in Science in the Parliament, Science Festivals for children and joint symposiums with SFDF.
Tell us more about the event you are organising which will coincide with the IFST Lecture on 11 November. Lucinda Bruce Gardyn, Founder of Genius Foods will be talking at your event.
We hope to be inviting people from industry, academia, the scottish parliament, stake holders and of course members to an engaging evening with the link up to London for the main speaker Mark Price from Waitrose and then our own talk from the founder of Genius; the UK’s leading brand in gluten free baking. Lucinda will be speaking on Growing a Global Bakery Business in Scotland.
How do you keep up-to-date with the latest Food Science and Technology news?
Predominantly industry websites, journals and bulletins from organisations.
Tell us something that not many people know.
My first visit to Scotland was to take part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. I was helping in the production of a show doing the sound. It wasn't very high tech, just a tape recorder with different sound effects that I had to change on cue and as quietly as possible!
