Can chefs find their place in the corporate world and can a commercial unit benefit from having restaurant people in their team?
Seven years ago, I had my last "service" in the restaurant scene and ventured into the corporate landscape, trading the life in kitchen for a new role in the commercial world of international FMCG at Arla Foods. Little did I know where this journey would lead.
I was leaving behind a creative, tough, hands-on environment with tight deadlines and immediate impact/feedback for the slower pace, long-term strategies, and complex systems of the corporate world and dairy business. But as the transition started, I found myself alongside people like Boje Johansen, Martin Skovholm Christensen, Henrik Skab, Christian Folden, Lars Moller Henriksen, Slava Chirkov, Thomas Hakanowitz, Christoffer Skjoldelev Madsen, Jens Kauffmann and many many more, who guided me through the ins and outs of the dairy business, pricing structures, and distributor management – and not to forget: Natural Selling and sales technique - ?And like a good symbioses, I gave back my own expertise in foodservice and a restaurant mindset to them, to inspire them, provide insights and create business opportunities in the HORECA sector for what we call "Rest of world, distributor sales".
Today, my role blends commercial responsibilities across several markets with culinary inspiration and training for colleagues, partners, and customers around the world. The best part? I didn’t have to lose my integrity or identity as a chef; I just evolved it.
I get to travel, teach, cook, do strategy, marketing and sales... and no 2 days are the same!
This opportunity wouldn’t have been possible without the great people at Arla Foods, who believed in teaching an “old chef” new tricks, and a company culture which is very special and their people a chance to grow into different roles.
I once read an article that stated that more corporate companies should hire chefs and restaurant professionals. I couldn’t agree more. While we may not have a traditional university degree, you gain a fast-thinking problem-solver, a solution-oriented “Swiss army knife,” and a resilient, creative spirit.
So, is there a career after the restaurant scene in international business? Absolutely—and it’s not too shabby!
Did you consider if your next hire maybe should have a foodservice background?
#CareerTransition #LifeAfterHospitality #ChefSkills #Foodserviceindustry #ProfessionalGrowth
CEO@DongChi Focus on efficient solutions for meat product processing, professional food processing technology and equipment manufacturer
1 个月It's inspiring to see Birchwood Foods fostering such a strong culture of growth and opportunity! It's clear that they're committed to helping their team members achieve their career goals, whether they're just starting or looking to advance. The emphasis on career development and internal growth is a great way to attract top talent.?