Director at Good Choice Foods Pvt. Ltd.

University of Nottingham played a crucial role in my career - it is the place where I got global exposure of what skills are required in the industry. The people in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering are experts and have great experience in the industry, so it helps to gain some insights of the practical world from them. During the course we did some design projects, which are as good as setting up a plant in real life. This gave me good hands-on experience of the key things involved in the manufacturing industry. We visited a lot of well-known food factories during the course, which also helped a lot in terms of visualization and played a key role in inspiring me towards my dream.

 

Explain Food Process Engineering and why you took this course?  

I have always dreamt of becoming an entrepreneur and I had a keen interest in the Food and Beverage Industry. Prior to coming to University of Nottingham, I had pursued a Chemical Engineering and MBA from NMIMS University in India. Upon completion I wanted to gain some expertise and knowledge in the Food Manufacturing space. That’s when I came across the course of MSc Food Process Engineering at the University of Nottingham and decided to pursue this course and take a step further towards achieving my dream of becoming an entrepreneur in the Food and Beverage Industry.  

Food Process Engineering, if simply put, is converting a recipe given by chef in a kitchen to a large-scale production. It is a study about processes and operations involved in manufacturing food and drink on an industrial scale.  

What did you do when you graduated?

After gaining my master’s degree in Food Process Engineering, I went back to India and Covid had started. During the first year of the pandemic, I researched what project I wanted to start as an entrepreneur. After one year of extensive research, I started working on my project of getting healthy, ready-to-eat fruit and vegetable snacks to be manufactured, using vacuum frying technology. 

I started my own company, Good Choice Foods, and as a Food Engineer I have developed some unique products like the Crispy Corn Snack, Beetroot Chips, Sweet Potato Chips and many other fruit and vegetable snacks with lip-smacking flavours. More importantly, these products are much healthier than currently available snack options. I have set up a world-class manufacturing facility in India that can manufacture around 450 metric tons annually. I have started selling under my own brand ‘Krunchillo’ and plan to sell across India and export to nearby countries. 

What's your favourite thing about your job?

As an entrepreneur, I love my job as every day I face several challenges that may or may not be part of my expertise, but as a key stakeholder I need to address those challenges in the best way possible. So, I learn new things each day as I keep gaining knowledge and expertise from all the aspects to run a successful business. As a part of my work, I keep meeting new people who have the expertise in the industry and visit a lot of trade fairs and conferences, which is a great learning experience and helps build my network. I lead a team of 25 people which helps me to build on my leadership skills. Also, the satisfaction is great when a consumer likes your product and asks for one more. 

What was your favourite thing about your degree?

I have a couple favourites about this course. First, it has a design project and master’s thesis which is a trailer of setting up a real-life project. The mentors in these projects are the experts and their guidance is valuable. The experience of working in a diverse team is a great learning experience. Second, during the duration of the course we had visited to several food factories which was a great experience, as you get to see the real manufacturing world closely and it also inspires you to reach that level.  

How did your time at the University of Nottingham help shape your career? 

University of Nottingham played a crucial role in my career - it is the place where I got global exposure of what skills are required in the industry. The people in the Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering are experts and have great experience in the industry, so it helps to gain some insights of the practical world from them. During the course we did some design projects, which are as good as setting up a plant in real life. This gave me good hands-on experience of the key things involved in the manufacturing industry. We visited a lot of well-known food factories during the course, which also helped a lot in terms of visualization and played a key role in inspiring me towards my dream. 

Why do you think studying at the University of Nottingham has made a difference to your career?

I strongly feel that studying at the University of Nottingham has made a big impact on my career as it has shaped my knowledge and, more importantly, my personality. The atmosphere at the University is very vibrant. Staying in a different country and studying with students from diverse backgrounds has helped a lot in terms of building my confidence, inter-personal skills and giving me a global approach. 

What has your University experience meant to you?

My university experience has played a crucial role in shaping my career. From the academic perspective, the course design and projects were very helpful for understanding vital aspects of the industry. The staff are very experienced and are extremely supportive. The facilities in terms of infrastructure are world-class. From an overall university perspective, the culture at University of Nottingham is vibrant and inclusive with constantly things going on to keep you engaged. It is a great platform to work with people from diverse backgrounds and make friends for life. 

What did you enjoy about your social time here?

It has everything you need in terms of social societies, sporting facilities, events, cafes, parks and more. There are constantly things going on to keep you engaged with people and make friends for life. The university accommodation halls were also a great place to get to know people from diverse backgrounds and make new friends. The city of Nottingham is a great place to live with all the facilities which are easily accessible.