Paul Zalecki

Paul Zalecki has worked in the food industry since 2001. Paul began their career as a Sous Chef at the Ferry Inn Cawood, where they were responsible for creating, preparing and cooking all dishes offered by the pub, managing all prep-staff and waiters, creating and altering the menu regularly, and assisting in the ordering of goods. In 2008, they moved to Supercook as a Quality Control, where they were responsible for developing and maintaining Quality Management systems, analysing a wide range of quality related information, auditing and controlling internal standards, and managing microbiology results and risks. Later in 2008, they began working at Esprit Holidays LTD as a Chef, where they were responsible for creating a choice of dishes for a daily set menu, preparing and cooking all dishes on a daily set menu, hosting all evening dinners, and managing communications with other Chalet Hosts. In 2011, they joined New Ivory as a Project Development Technologist and Raw Material Technologist, where their responsibilities included supplier audits, monitoring and management, management and approval of incoming raw material specifications, and risk assessments of incoming ingredients and packaging. In 2014, they moved to Symington's Limited as a Product Developer, where they were responsible for recipe development in the test kitchen in-line with a prepared brief, including nutrition calculation, allergen review and adherence to relevant policies, creative development to identify new product development opportunities, and presentation of products to customers and/or internal teams. Paul then returned to New Ivory as a Senior Process Technologist, Process Improvement Leader, and Project Development Technologist. In 2016, they joined Troy Foods Ltd as a Senior NPD Technologist. Lastly, in 2018, they began working at The Meatless Farm Co as a Head of Process Technology and NPD & Process Manager. Paul is currently employed at VFC® as the Head of Innovation.

Paul Zalecki obtained their MA in Nutritional Sciences from Northumbria University in 2010 and their BSc in Human Biology from The Manchester Metropolitan University in 2007. In 2017, they also obtained a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt certification from 100% Effective Ltd.