First Taste: Careers & Business Startups In The Food Sector

Welcome to First Taste: Careers & Business Startups In The Food Sector! Join us at the Barking & Dagenham College - Technical Skills Academy for an exciting in-person event. Discover the diverse careers and business startup opportunities in the food sector and explore various pathways to kickstart your journey in the industry. This event is perfect for anyone passionate about food and looking to turn that passion into a rewarding career. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn, network, and get a first taste of what the food industry has to offer!

Who should attend?·

Local residents with a food idea or passion they want to turn into a business

Why this event?

Food is more than what’s on our plates — it’s a sector full of opportunity. From farming and food production to catering, retail, and nutrition, the food industry offers meaningful, creative, and varied careers.

This event will introduce you to:

• New training opportunities in food production and cooking
• Practical support to start or grow your food business
• Guidance on making your product retail-ready
• How to meet the legal and compliance requirements for food businesses
• Insights from experts and successful food entrepreneurs

Is this for you?

Come along if you’re:

✅ Self-motivated and ready to grow a food idea

✅ Interested in starting a food business

✅ Looking to develop or improve a food product

✅ Inspired by the idea of selling your food in retail shops

✅ Curious about compliance, regulations, and best practices

✅ Keen to learn from top food innovators and brands

✅ Exploring new ethnic, cultural, or indigenous food products

✅ Ready to take the first step toward turning your food idea into reality

What to expect

• A short, friendly info session — ask anything!
• Expert advice on getting started
• Connections to training, resources, and support in Barking & Dagenham
• A chance to explore current training and careers support through the Food Trailblazer programme

You don’t need all the answers today, just curiosity and the willingness to explore what’s possible.