I have been working for the Chocolate Innovation Team at Reading for almost 3 months and I can certainly say that it has exceeded all expectations. I have joined a hard working and well-motivated team who made me feel welcome straight away and offer me support and advice whenever I need it. Each day I am being given more responsibility and independence which will help me to develop my individual knowledge further.
So far I have had the opportunity to work individually as well as part of a team in laboratory and small scale manufacturing situations both in the UK and abroad. I have gained knowledge and experience in the chocolate process from ingredients and machinery used through to tempering and moulding my first bar of chocolate! I have also had the opportunity to see large scale production sites first hand.
My role changes on a day-to-day basis, working in both an office environment and practical work in the development kitchen. I started this week with a factory tour in Bournville focusing on the chocolate process from raw materials to the packaging stage. Then back in Reading I have been tempering and moulding chocolate, attending team meetings and taking part in tasting sessions.
Overall, I have had an amazing first few months, learning more about chocolate production and the way the company operates everyday. I am looking forward to further challenges and am really excited about the year ahead.
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