Angela Mitton Bsc (Hons) − fluent in food
Since graduating in Food Science from Nottingham University in 1995, Angela has pursued a successful career within both the technical and NPD arenas of the food industry.
Following a head office technical development role with Bhs plc in London, the majority of Angela´s career to date has been in successfully developing innovative, consumer focused products for leading retailers such as Marks and Spencer plc. This has been achieved through her appointments with Uniq plc (prepared foods division); Sun Valley Foods (a subsidiary of Cargill Inc) and Katsouris Fresh Foods Ltd (Bakkavor Group), in developing chilled recipe dishes, sandwiches, snack foods, dressings, chutneys and coffee bar concepts.
Angela has first hand experience in the management of NPD processes from concept through to launch. This would typically entail evaluating market opportunities, facilitating consumer panels, kitchen recipe creation, artwork origination and factory scale-up to launch. In addition, Angela has been instrumental in several new business/product acquisitions as part of cross-functional teams and is used to thinking ‘outside the box’
Having formally qualified as a chef, Angela spends considerable time overseas researching the latest food trends. This has allowed her to develop a unique and thorough insight into world culinary foods and practices, particularly those of South East Asia and the Indian subcontinent, where she has studied at several cookery schools in situ for an in-depth understanding of these cuisines.
Angela writes a regular column on NPD for the Food Industry´s leading publication, Food Manufacture, www.foodmanufacture.co.uk, and is often called upon for her views on food trends and the future direction of NPD in the industry. She now contributes to various food publications, and has been appointed as judge for the Grocer Own Label Excellence Awards www.thegrocerownlabel.co.uk as well as The Great Taste Awards www.finefoodworld.com given annually by the Guild of Fine Food.