Areas of Expertise: Dairy product manufacture, analysis of physical and chemical properties of foods and new product development.

Edwina joined the Food Technology Centre in October 2005 as a Laboratory Technical Officer and was then appointed Research & Development Officer in April 2006. Her main area of expertise is in developing and manufacturing dairy products. Edwina also has a keen interest in Functional Foods and has researched and developed a range of functional products in both the dairy and non-dairy sector.

Through her Functional Food research Edwina has made strong links with the Food and Nutrition Department at Liverpool John Moores University, the Functional Foods Forum based in Yorkshire and the European Functional Food Network.

Prior to joining the Food Technology Centre Edwina gained a Master of Chemistry degree at the University of Wales, Bangor in 2004. She then progressed to complete a Post Graduate Certificate in Education qualification at the same establishment.

“My degree and teaching qualifications have given me a stable foundation for working within the food industry. My teaching experiences have enabled me to tutor students on the HNC Food Science and Technology course.“

“I have further enhanced my knowledge of the food industry by specialist training in various areas such as new product development and product labelling, both here at the Food Technology Centre, and also at Leatherhead Food International in Surrey, and Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association in Gloucestershire.”

Areas of Expertise: New product development, the analysis of food products, Health and Safety within the laboratory, support for all product development trials and HNC course experiments, maintenance and calibration of the analytical laboratory equipment.

Having lived on a working beef and sheep farm all his life, Steven has a strong agricultural background with many years of hands-on experience within the industry. After completing his A-Levels he spent a year out working full-time on the farm before deciding to follow a degree course at the University of Wales, Bangor.

Although agriculture had always been a strong part of his life, chemistry and science were subjects he had always been interested in. He obtained a first-class honours degree in Chemistry and then went on to complete a postgraduate degree to obtain a Masters in Modern Chemical Laboratory Practice.

Steven went on to work for the NHS within the Toxicology Department where he gained more experience of working within a modern laboratory, Health and Safety issues and the operation of advanced analytical instrumentation.

In June 2006 Steven joined the Food Technology Centre as the Laboratory Technical Officer. He has set up and developed the laboratory to meet the analytical requirements of clients with methodologies to conduct a diverse range of analyses on food products.

Steven said: “We now have the facilities and analytical equipment to perform a wide range of tests on food products. Examples include determining levels of fat and protein for a nutritional analysis, conducting texture analysis on actual products and determining the Customs and Excise approved alcohol content of beverages.”

Career highlight to date: Planning and developing innovative functional products for the dairy beverage industry.

Areas of expertise: Food hygiene, food premises inspection, health and safety, HACCP and Quality Assurance

Food manufacturers and processors seeking ISO 9001 certification should speak to Ann Marie, who can explain the procedure and assist with the detailed work of achieving the award.

In order to be competitive the manufacturer must meet the demands of the customer. Accreditation to the standards of the British Retail Consortium (BRC) Global Food standard or similar EFSIS schemes is fast becoming a basic industry requirement. Ann Marie can assist your business in developing your quality management system in order that you are prepared for the accreditation.

Originally from Northern Ireland, she has an honours degree in Food Science from Queens University, Belfast, and has 13 years’ experience of working for industry and the public health sector. Her roles have included quality manager and plant technologist for meat product companies and as a Food Safety Officer with Wrexham County Borough Council.

“The food industry is a continually fluctuating world and can be difficult for the small businesses to keep up with the changes. We aim to support the food industry with the most recent developments in legislation, quality system development and new product development. My work at the Food Centre is certainly varied and interesting when meeting the challenges that our clients bring to us”

Areas of Expertise: Meat sector training and product development

Gwyndaf has hands-on experience of the food industry. He has worked within the meat industry for fourteen years, ten as a retail butcher and four in retail management.

Having achieved award-winning standards in various competitions run by both the

Meat and Livestock commission and Meat Training Council, Gwyndaf understands the need for high working standards.

Gwyndaf said: “My role within the Food Technology Centre is to develop the client base for the Meat Processing NVQs, helping to maximise the use of the centre’s facilities and promoting the centre in general.”

Career Highlight to date: Setting up and opening his own butchers shop shortly after his 21st birthday.

Areas of expertise: New product development, maintaining food processing facilities and services, monitoring food processing activities for regulatory authorities / compliance, general procurement and technical support and instruction.

Benjamin Lee has practical experience of the food industry – he was a baker for eight years, including a stint at Tesco in Manchester, before joining the Food Technology Centre in 2000.

He started as a part-time baker with a Llangefni firm while still at school studying for his exams.

He enjoys the work at the Centre because of the challenges. “It’s all new – you are always challenged by working with new products, processes and machinery. I meet many new people and there are new ideas all the time.”

Apart from supporting the learning and research and development activities, Benjamin’s role extends to sourcing ingredients and packaging and food product testing.

He combines his work at the Centre with study – he has recently completed both an NVQ in food and drink manufacturing and an A level in food technology.

Outside the food industry, Benjamin’s interests include sea fishing. One of his most memorable catches was a large tuna off Cyprus.

Highlight of career to date: “Holding a bakery skills classes in the centre, passing my bakery knowledge on to other students.”

Areas of expertise: Public relations, co-ordinating training courses, database management and co-ordination of Centre information.

Bethan joined the team in November 2003, having previously worked in administration for the County Court Service and local businesses. She is responsible for co-ordinating course bookings, financial records, administration of marketing materials and client communication.

She is in most cases the Food Technology Centre’s first point of contact for students and people from the food industry seeking information and guidance.