About

Natalie is an Independent food consultant, specialising in New Product Development from ‘concept to customer’. A natural curiosity and inquisitiveness, eager to learn and find new things has underpinned her creativity and 15 years in food retail and manufacturing. Looking to work with food companies, large and small, to help develop new and existing business opportunities.

 

Career

The Curious Foodie – 6 months
Waitrose – 7 years
Sainsbury’s – 4 years
Buckingham Foods – 2 years
Cordon Vert Cookery School – 1 year
Sheffield Hallam University – BSc Hons Food & Consumer Studies

 

Food Expertise

Fresh Ready Meals • Fresh Soups & Sauces • Food to go – Salads/Sandwiches/Snacks • Fresh Juices • Fresh Dressings • Fresh Meat, Fish & Poultry • Soft Drinks • Frozen Fruit, Vegetables & Yoghurt • Frozen Fish • Free From – Gluten, wheat & dairy free • Ambient Desserts • Pasta, Rice & Dried pulses • Healthy eating ranges • Hot beverages • Crisps, Nuts & Snacks • Cereals & Cereal Bars • Jams, Honey & Spreads • Homebaking dried fruits, nuts & seeds • Ambient cooking sauces and pesto – global cuisines • Canned soups • Confectionery • Organic • Cafe & Counter Hospitality development

 

SERVICES

Concept Development

• Blue sky thinking
• Recipe development

Existing Product Development

• Streamlining ingredients
• Removing cost but maintaining quality
• Product reformulation

Product Development

• Project Management
• Timelines
• Costings

Ingredients & Product Sourcing

• Sourcing new ingredients
• Sourcing new manufacturers
• Develop new business relationships

Packaging & Artwork

 • Artwork pack copy
• Sourcing new packaging
• Attending photoshoots

Marketing

• Benchmarking
• Consumer research
• Food trends
• Taste panels

Recipe Testing

• Cooking instructions

Coaching Product Development Teams

• Product development principles
• Ways of working

COMPANIES WORKED WITH

Throughout Natalie’s Career

TESTIMONIALS

Alison Friel - Client Technical Director, NSF International

 

 

 

 

“Had the pleasure of working with Natalie on hospitality offers within Waitrose. Great team player and brought enthusiasm to our projects. Always has Innovative ideas and uses strong industry knowledge in her development of products.”

Neil Harrison - Head of Food, Nando’s Grocery

 

 

“I worked with Natalie for just under four years, in which time she consistently proved to be an excellent asset to the Waitrose team. Her attention to detail, along with her knowledge of multiple categories and the ability to build strong, long lasting supplier relationships means that whoever Natalie works for in the future will have an employee that will deliver to a very high standard. It would be a pleasure to work with Natalie again in the future.”

 

 

Michelle Gibbs - Product Developer, Waitrose

 

 

“I have had the pleasure of working in the same team with Natalie for the past seven years. As a fellow senior product developer, Natalie has always been very much a team player and incredibly supportive. Natalie is brilliant at working collaboratively, whilst influencing key stakeholders in order to deliver projects to the highest standard within an agreed timescale. Natalie always leads her team and is able to respond to change with a positive attitude. Natalie always ‘goes the extra mile’ and has been prepared to step up taking on additional responsibility when the team has needed it. Natalie is a natural coach and mentor to more junior members of the team Natalie will be an asset to any team.”

 

Natalie Mitchell - Head of Brand Development & Product Innovation, Waitrose

 

“I’ve worked with Natalie for over two years and I have the utmost respect for her. Immense foodie values, always strives for excellence, hugely committed and a great personal drive. A great asset to any team.”

 

Martyn Lee - Head Development Chef, Tesco

 

“Natalie has a wonderful approach to product development. Able to articulate ideas in a clear and direct manner, and use a wide range of food knowledge to translate concepts into successful products. A real asset to a team.”

 

Jonathan Moore - Executive Development Chef, Waitrose

 

 

“Natalie is a first class product developer, who can seamlessly translate food trends into commercially viable products. I have had the opportunity to work with Natalie across a number of categories within Waitrose, where it became obvious very early on that Natalie has a good understanding of how you build layers of flavour into dishes as she has an excellent palate. Strategically Natalie is sound and always displays a good understanding of the projects she is about to work on. I would highly recommend Natalie to anyone from start up businesses to multi national plc’s.”

 

 

Tracey Anderson - Manager Product Development & Innovation, Waitrose

 

 

 

“I​ have been the Manager of chilled product development & innovation at Waitrose for the past 3 years where it was my privilege to manage and work with Natalie Kelsey. I originally hired Natalie 12 years ago when I worked at Sainsbury’s and it soon became evident that Natalie was a great recruit and she progressed quickly through many categories where she delivered leading edge, quality and award winning NPD. Her duties at both Sainsbury’s and Waitrose included writing supplier briefs, articulating corporate strategy to her supply base and developing new products to the relevant retailer quality, innovation and brand standards. Much of her role has seen her influencing at all levels, driving numerous categories forward and delivering hundreds of new products that have longevity and meet the demands of the customer. We are extremely sad to see Natalie leave our team, but understand her need to relocate with her family to Yorkshire. I have always found her to be a totally professional, driven, hard working, supportive, intelligent and trustworthy individual.”

 

 

Sarah Cotier - Interim Commercial Controller, Saladworks, Samworth Brothers

 

 

“I had the pleasure of working with Natalie on the launch of the WR1 range of premium ready meals for Waitrose. At all times she was driven and focused as to what was required to create the best possible products with a commercial perspective at all times. I hope to work along side her again in the future.”

 

David Lennox - Senior Development Chef, Iceland Kitchen

 

“Natalie is a great food developer and passionate about all things food. She definitely is the curious foodie in every way.”

 

Laurie Ibbotson - Commerical Director, Dovecote Park

 

 

“Natalie is a very accomplished highly professional ‘foodie’. She has a great translation of consumer trends and requirements into fantastic deliverable products. Working with Natalie is a pleasure and an inspiration to all levels in our NPD team. She has helped grow and nurture talented young professionals as well as great communication between processor and retailer. For translation of great ideas into great products Natalie is key to your business.”

 

 

Matt Casey - Innovations Manager, Dalehead Foods

 

 

“Natalie is a passionate foodie with an in-depth knowledge of product development and retail innovation. I have had the opportunity to work with Natalie on numerous projects, her natural style is collaborative and supportive with a real focus on delivering high quality food that delights the consumer.”

 

James Bennington - Senior Development Chef for Brand & Product Innovation, Waitrose

“I worked with Natalie at Waitrose for over five years. As the lead Product Developer for several major categories she had an exceptional palette and immaculate organisational skills. She is commercially minded but also has a deep understanding of food trends and their interpretation into market leading products. When leading a team, Natalie showed strong leadership qualities and skilful management judgement. I would not hesitate to recommend Natalie as an insightful industry expert of great value.”

Contact

Natalie Kelsey
07855 044451
nataliekelsey@thecuriousfoodie.co.uk