Emily Choi
Working as: PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT TECHNOLOGIST, Heinz Wattie's Ltd.
Age: 26
Earning: $40,000ish
In a nutshell: “I work in the petfood development department where I come up with new recipes, change existing recipes and sort out various problems occurring in the factory.”
Why food technology?
“I like the versatility and uniqueness in this job.” This is very challenging and creative work. If you love cooking and want to see your own product at the supermarket, then go for it.
I work in the petfood development department at Heinz Watties where I come up with new recipes, change existing recipes and sort out various problems that can occur in the factory.
A typical day for me is doing costings, developing recipes and making lab samples.
The taste challenge
 Creating petfood is a challenge compared to making food for people, because this is the only source of food for pets - this is all they ever eat, so it has to be 100% nutritionally suitable.
It’s also hard to know exactly what the product tastes like – a dog or a cat can’t really explain it to you.
Cats are very fussy. Once they find something they like they won’t go back. By comparison it’s hard to taste test with dogs, because they eat anything really.
At Massey University we have specially trained cats (who are very fussy) who take part in five day trials of any new food. The results are then sent to Michael Tarttelin in Australia who designed the system and who can interpret the results.
How I got here
I studied biology, chemistry and physics at high school and then a BSc in Food Science at Auckland University, plus a postgraduate diploma. I actually started doing a law degree before moving into science.
I worked at Aunt Betty’s for a summer job making a new product, before I saw this job advertised on the Watties website.
In this job I’ve learnt that you need to be versatile and flexible with your time. You never know what may come up during the day.
Advice for others
This field is for both males and females, so I encourage males to step into this area as well. This is not boring work, but very challenging and creative. If you love cooking and want to see your own product at the supermarket, then go for it.
(Profile courtesy of Futureintech – www.futureintech.com).
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Real people talk about their jobs in food science, technology & engineering (courtesy of Futureintech: www.futureintech.com):
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 Wendy Robinson, Senior Food Technologist for NZ's largest ice cream manufacturer, Tip Top Ice-Cream, Auckland.
 Harriet Gibbs, Process Manager for multinational dairy processor Fonterra, Edendale, Southland.
 Bronwyn Hawker, Food Technologist with innovative beverage manufacturer Frucor, Auckland.
 Michelle Lucke, Process Improvement Technologist for prepared foods manufacturer, Heinz Watties, Tomoana, Hastings.
 Ben Sutherland, Product Development Technologist for healthy snack manufacturer Mother Earth Foods, Auckland.
 Anna Smith, Development Technologist for milk and dairy foods processor Fonterra Brands NZ.
 Melanie Wong, Food technologist/QA Manager for meat processor and exporter ANZCO Foods Green Island, near Dunedin.
 Rachel Johns, Product Development Technologist for iconic prepared foods manufacturer Heinz Wattie's, Hastings.
 John Evans, Operations Manager for drinks manufacturer Phoenix Organics, Auckland.
 Penny Hosking, Technical Manager for buttercup squash processor and exporter Southmark Quality Foods, Hastings.
 Emily Choi, Product Development Technologist for prepared foods manufacturer Heinz Wattie's, Hastings.
 Tracey Petley-Hibbs, Process Technologist for sweetmaker, Nestlé Confectionery, Auckland.
 Andrew Hutton, Product Development Technologist for prepared foods manufacturer Heinz Wattie's, Hastings.
 Debbie Curtis, Chocolate Technologist for international chocolatemaker, Cadbury, Dunedin.
 Jonelle Taylor, Senior Product Development Technologist for Fresh 'n' Fruity yoghurt manufacturer Fonterra Brands, Auckland.
 Yvette Temple, Senior Product Developer for biscuit manufacturer Griffins, Auckland.
More profiles of careers in food technology at Futureintech: www.futureintech.com. | |
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