Since graduating in 2016, Cameron Rigg has forged a successful career in the food industry. Now he’s helping current students follow in his footsteps.

‘My food and nutrition course set me up incredibly well for my career — everything was designed to prepare me for working in the food industry. There was a massive amount of practical work in the labs and kitchens, and I spent a year on placement with Pizza Hut in London.

‘All my lecturers were incredibly supportive, knowledgeable and passionate. You can tell they really want the best for their students, and in fact they still check in on me now. I have friends at other universities who didn't get anywhere near the amount of support I got from my lecturers.

‘Now I work as a product developer. This involves a lot of eating — I have travelled all around the world visiting restaurants and street food stalls to check out the latest food trends. Then I come back to our kitchens in Manchester and help develop new food ranges for our stores.

‘When the pandemic hit in March 2020, I set up a mentoring scheme to help other young people develop their career. We match students or recent graduates with successful people in the food industry. It’s open to everyone regardless of background, and hopefully it will help make the industry more varied and diverse.

‘The food industry is a fantastic place to work. There are so many opportunities available, it’s fun, it's fast-paced, and no two days are the same. Every day I meet new people and eat different food. I’d recommend it to anyone!’