Speaker Q&A: Marta Pogroszewska, GAIL’s Bakery
Marta Pogroszewska, MD of GAIL’s Bakery, is a big fan of lunch!, calling it ‘the best event in the industry’. She’ll be taking part in an exclusive interview at the show (1.15pm, Friday 20 September), chatting with lunch!’s Chris Brazier about the company’s success so far, its plans for the future, and the potential challenges and opportunities ahead.
What do you think is the key for operators to successfully compete against their competitors?
I truly believe that team makes the difference. There are many businesses with great products and lovely places, however the teams must make the business turn its wheels, strive for excellence to embrace those great products and lovely places.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
I am so very lucky to be surrounded by an amazing team. It’s rewarding to see people grow and develop within the business. We spend a lot of time talking about succession planning and how can we help our teams in our bakeries and in our Head Office grow with GAIL’s and embrace all the career opportunities continuously created in our dynamic business. Seeing people progress and take new opportunities gives me the biggest pleasure.
On the other hand, I do love our food, which is reward in itself!
What does the next 12 months have in store for GAIL’s Bakery?
We have an exciting strategy for the next three years. We will continue to focus on delivering the excellence of our food, growth for our people and opening more beautiful places in lovely neighbourhoods.
Can you give us an example of what your business is doing to be even more sustainable?
We are restless in our pursuit of solutions for food waste and for sustainable packaging. We are proud to partner with over 40 local charities to make sure any leftover food goes to people in our local communities.
What’s your current bestselling product?
Our customers continue to love our sourdough bread. I do have to say though, our Cinnamon Bun also holds a special place in our customers’ hearts!
Why is innovation so vital to the food-to-go sector?
There is so much fresh thinking and energy in the food industry. Entrepreneurial attitude and innovation is the lifeblood of new trends and shaping what people want to eat.
What innovative products are you hoping to find at lunch! show this year?
I am very curious about new craft products that taste great.
How important is lunch! to the food-to-go sector?
lunch! inspires and connects the whole sector, it encourages everyone to work together and promotes a healthy sense of competition and support. We all are better for it and appreciate the positive outlook into the future propelled by lunch!.
I truly think that lunch! is the best event in the industry.
Describe the lunch! show in 3 words:
Inspiring. Impactful. Ingenious.
Can you tell us a bit about your much-anticipated session at lunch! 2019? — What do you want visitors to take away?
I’m looking forward to the conversation. On behalf of our wonderful Team at GAIL’s, I’ll proudly share insights into GAIL’s growth and our plans for the future. We are growing quite rapidly as a business and as a Team, whilst we are proud of our strengths and successes, we’ve also learnt a thing or two from our mistakes. Hopefully the audience will find it interesting to know what worked and what may have not worked as well. I’m hoping to leave everyone with some thought-provoking takeaways.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
My son is the most determined person I know, he always strives to learn and grow through his passions for music and volleyball, he loves his school, he excels in many subjects but also enjoys experiencing new avenues, cultures and meeting new people. I cannot imagine life without him, he inspires me to be better today than I was yesterday.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
I came across this advice many years ago and I’ve stuck with it ever since: It doesn’t matter what others do wrong, it only matters what I can do right. Do the right thing and do it right.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
This industry offers endless opportunities for personal and professional growth. Do not wait to be given the opportunities, take them. Success is a journey, not a destination.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know:
I do love ziplining. I have ziplined on all the continents, in many countries. My favourite zipline so far is in Peru, in Sacred Valley — 100km per hour line with spectacular views of the valley and the Andean glaciers.
See Marta at lunch! 2019
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with Marta Pogroszewska, Managing Director, GAIL’s Bakery: 1.15pm on Friday 20 September in Keynote Theatre 1
