Speaker Q&A (2018): Sandy Anderson, Elior
Next up is Sandy Anderson, senior buyer – fresh & frozen food at Elior. A familiar face at lunch! (he’s been attending since its launch and is a regular Innovation Challenge judge), he’ll be back for 2018 sharing his top tips for food-to-go buyers in an exclusive Buying Masterclass.
The session will feature Martin Hambleton, head of procurement at En Route International (session chair), and Guy Meakin, head of buying at Pret A Manger.
Which food-to-go operator do you particularly admire and why?
Pret – for speed of service, helpful smiling team, quality of offer and they open early at Euston Station! McDonalds – service, good coffee and great breakfast!. Itsu – speedy service and great food.
What do you feel is the key for operators to successfully compete against their competitors?
Innovate but don’t lose sight of your core values. Protect your brand do not dilute the offer. Be consistent.
What do you see as key trends for food-to-go in the coming year?
The short menu grab and go street food will continue with both quality and value being key. Food inflation will continue to be an issue and it is important for these businesses to innovate rather than lower the specs of their foods.
What’s your bestselling product at the moment?
Bacon possibly!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Mitigating inflationary trends by sourcing new products, which maintain the quality of the offer.
And the most challenging?
Brexit – trying to understand what will happen to the food supply chain next year if we crash out. Brexit was always going to be bad for food!
How important is lunch! to the food to go sector?
The lunch! show is a must for anyone involved in the food-to-go industry. Every year, there are more exhibitors showing new innovative products in a great atmosphere of passion and fun.
Describe the lunch! trade show in 3 words:
Casual – on trend – relevant.
Who or what inspires you to be even better?
Do or die! If you stay the same you will peter out but don’t forget your roots, standards and don’t mess with the brand.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t compromise your standards.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that most people don’t know:
I am a keen biker and a member of a ten-strong bikers gang called The Flying Leaks. This is because we are all of a certain age where we have to stop every hour or so for a leak!
See Sandy at lunch! 2018
The Buying Masterclass: 2.45pm in Keynote Theatre 1 on Friday 21 September.
