Name: Chris Eyitayo
Age: 22
Job title: talent mastermind
Company: Young Foodies
Education: University of Brighton, BA Retail Marketing
Why did you decide to go for a career in food?
”Being surrounded by people and brands that are so driven and hardworking inspires me every day”
I have always had a burning passion for food, from eating and cooking, to consumer psychology and understanding how it is marketed, branded and sold. I’ve always known I would end up working with a food brand but didn’t know in what capacity… until now where I work with hundreds!
Explain your job to us in a sentence (or two):
I work for Young Foodies, the community of the fastest growing food and drink brands in the UK. We help startup brands in a number of ways across the business. I work for the business unit called Young Foodies Talent. Essentially we understand that a load of people want to work in incredible startup brands, but don’t know how to. We are the gateway into food and drink startups doing talent acquisition differently.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I usually spend my morning chatting to brands about their team growth plans and coming up with job specs with them. My afternoon is then intensive interviewing mode, which I love. I hear the stories of brilliant candidates and their ambitions to be part of this great industry. That said, as you can imagine in a startup business, no two days are the same!
Tell us about how you went about applying for your job. What was the process like?
I was following Young Foodies for quite a while as I loved all the brands that they worked with. It wasn’t until I had a coffee with Thea, the co-founder, that I realised all the other things they did to help the brands. She mentioned the opportunity to help brands find superstars to join their teams. With my digital and creative background I thought I would be well placed to help shake up traditional recruitment. I jumped at the opportunity!
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What’s the best part about working for a food company?
I love entrepreneurship and creativity. Being surrounded by people and brands that are so driven and hardworking inspires me every day.
And what’s the biggest misconception people have about working in food & drink?
That you would need experience in the industry before. More than 50% of our founders had never worked in the industry before, but they’re the ones innovating and changing landscape. Now there is a powerful support system to make it easier.
What advice would you give to other young people looking to get into the food & drink industry?
If you’re interested in working in a small business you’ll need to be ready to tap into you inner entrepreneur
Understand the differences between working for big businesses and small businesses in this industry - they’re miles apart. If you’re interested in working in a small business you’ll need to be ready to tap into you inner entrepreneur, blag your way through difficult situations and be willing to roll up your sleeves and get hands on.
What’s your ultimate career dream?
I’m young so I take everyday as it comes. Right now every bit of my energy is going towards making small brands mighty.
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