Growing and learning with the cooking instructions team

Alicia Wong and Oliver Berrisford began their careers at Leatherhead Food Research with ten-week summer placements in the Cooking Instructions department. This opportunity has jumpstarted their careers in food science, with both accepting full-time positions at the end of their placements.

Alicia started her journey with us in 2023, taking part in our Cooking Instructions placement programme the summer before her final year at university. Following graduation this year, Alicia accepted a temporary contract and recently transitioned into a full-time role. Oliver, who also graduated this year, spent his summer at Leatherhead. Upon completion of his ten-week placement, he joined the team full-time. Both Alicia and Oliver studied Food Science and Nutrition at the University of Surrey.

A thorough and accurate process

The summer placement acted as an introduction to Cooking Instruction verification and generation, from cooking and testing, to writing reports of the tests.

Oliver and Alicia reflected on the thorough nature of the cooking trials process. Oliver explained, “Each morning begins with daily checks of the ovens, fridge-freezers, room temperature, voltage and balances. These checks ensure that the equipment complies with calibration and is ready to use for the day ahead.” He continued, “I was surprised by the extent of testing – it was more meticulous than I expected. It showed the level of precision needed to ensure consumer safety and satisfaction.”

As a UKAS-accredited lab, consistency is essential. However, it is not just the ‘before use’ checks that are thorough. Alicia described the process of testing and generating the cooking instructions, “Everything must ensure that the quality is consistent, and you produce the same result again and again, so that if someone else completed the test, they would get the same result.” She mentioned the processes in place to ensure consistency, such as ‘buddy checks’ and a rigorous training process where one must pass the training of a technique three times before using it. “It’s because we are a UKAS accredited lab, but also because of the high standards that the company has,” she explained.

A wide range of projects

Oliver said that a highlight of his placement was that the “opportunity to work on a variety of projects set by many different clients meant that no two days were the same in the kitchen. I was surprised at the wide range of projects the department receives and the number of big-name clients the company works with.” The cooking instructions department offers a range of services, including cooking instructions verification and generation, offering 24-hour and 48-hour turnaround of results.

Developing cooking instructions and developing skills

The setting, routine and circumstances of the lab taught Alicia and Oliver many skills that they will continue to develop in their permanent roles. “Attention to detail was crucial,” Oliver explained. “Small adjustments in cooking times, temperature, or methods can significantly impact product quality and safety, highlighting the importance of precision in food science.”

With such a range of services being offered in the Leatherhead Food Research kitchens, the opportunity for growth and development are huge for Oliver and Alicia as they continue their journey with us. Alicia is particularly looking forward to being trained to complete sensory testing, and Oliver looks forward to gaining experience on different pieces of equipment, such as air fryers.

Tina Mistry, Cooking Instructions Laboratory Manager at Leatherhead reflected on Oliver and Alicia’s summer placements: “Alicia and Oliver demonstrated exceptional time management skills, a strong willingness to learn, and a proactive attitude. Their confidence grew significantly throughout the placement, reflecting their dedication and adaptability.”

Cooking Instructions Project Manager, George Chappell, also shared his enthusiasm for them to remain with Leatherhead: “It’s incredibly exciting to see our interns transition into permanent roles within our team. Over the summer, they have demonstrated exceptional skills, dedication, and a fresh perspective that has influenced our workplace culture. Their hard work has proven just how valuable they are, making it clear that they are not just interns but integral members of our team.”