Click on each mentor to find out more about them
Chloe holds a First-Class Honours degree in Food, Nutrition and Health from Abertay University and subsequently completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Education Teaching (Home Economics). She is currently employed by Dundee City Council and is based at Baldragon Academy.
Chloe is qualified to teach a broad range of subjects, including Practical Cookery, Bakery, Cake Craft, Barista Skills, Childcare, and Health and Food Technology. In her role, she works closely with young people from a wide range of backgrounds and with diverse learning needs, supporting them to achieve National Qualifications and reach their full potential.
Jackie McCabe is Chief Executive of the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS), the professional body for environmental health in Scotland. REHIS awards the qualifications required to practise as an Environmental Health Officer and Food Safety Officer, and, under its Royal Charter and Continuing Professional Development scheme, grants Chartered Environmental Health Officer status to eligible members. The Institute is also a long-established awarding body for qualifications in food safety, HACCP, food and health, infection control, occupational health and safety, first aid and licensing, delivered through approved training centres across Scotland, with many aligned to the SCQF framework. About REHIS - REHIS
As a 2023 graduate of Food and Consumer Science at Abertay University, Kieran has worked as an Assistant NPD Technologist at Kettle Produce Ltd. for 1.5 years. In this role, he has gained experience across a number of areas within the business, most notably: product development, customer submissions, production trials, specifications, and procurement of new materials. He attended the IFST Student Launchpad event whilst at university, so knows how conversations with those already working in the industry can benefit students. As a recent graduate, Kieran will bring knowledge of the transition from university into full time work.
After I left school, I originally trained as a chef, but I soon realised I was looking for more from career. I studies Food and Consumer Science at Abertay and loved every minute of it, I secured a placement as Highland Game during my 3rd year of Uni and I've never left. I worked from QC to now running a small NPD department as Highland Game with the help from our Sales director and Quality Manager.
I’m the HR and Payroll Officer at Strathmore Foods, supporting a fast-paced food manufacturing operation with a strong focus on end-to-end recruitment and practical HR delivery. I work closely with managers to deliver compliant, effective recruitment processes and a positive candidate experience, from advert through to onboarding.
I bring hands-on experience across HR administration, employee relations, performance management, and payroll, with previous HR and training experience in manufacturing and earlier leadership roles managing teams in high-volume retail environments. This background gives me a strong, operational understanding of people management at all levels.
Moira is the Skills Manager at FDF Scotland, playing a key role in advancing the People and Skills mission as part of the SF&D Industry Strategy. In this role, she has collaborated with industry leaders, partners, and stakeholders to position the food and drink sector as a career destination of choice. From working with educators and students on hands-on activities to developing and delivering national campaigns such as #AFutureinFood, Moira has been instrumental in promoting opportunities within the industry and engaging support for this activity.
Olajumoke holds a degree in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development and a Master's degree in food security, with over a decade of hands-on experience across catering, food production, and food safety management. She began her career managing a family-run catering business and later established small food ventures producing plantain flour and honey, gaining practical insight into food systems from farm to fork. She is currently immersed in food safety and quality within the food manufacturing sector at Tiffin Sandwiches Scotland, where she progressed from Quality Controller into a Technical Manager role. Her professional interests lie in food safety, quality assurance, and strengthening food systems through practical, science-based approaches.
Ruth Birt FIFST holds a Food Science degree and a Masters in Food Law, with over 30 years’ experience in Regulatory Affairs in the food industry. After 15 years in a blue-chip medical foods company, Ruth established her consultancy business offering regulatory advice to the specialised foods sector in areas including infant formulae, baby foods, medical foods, gluten-free foods and food supplements. Her career has covered all aspects of regulatory work including food labelling, product registration, responding to consultations, negotiation & advocacy at government level and representing clients in trade association meetings. Ruth is the Vice Chair of the IFST Scotland Branch.
Shaun is a Registered Associate Nutritionist and health coach with an MSc in Human Nutrition and BSc in Food Science. His work centres on supporting people to build sustainable habits around nutrition through evidence-based guidance and compassionate coaching. He partners with individuals focusing on lifestyle change to help them feel confident in their own routines with food, exercise and health. Alongside his coaching, Shaun creates clear nutrition content for the public, collaborates with fitness and health professionals, and contributes to providing trustworthy nutrition information across the UK.