Featured student of the month - Charlotte Reynolds

Posted 3 March 2014

A monthly special featuring a current student from Harper Adams University.

Second year student, Charlotte Reynolds, is hoping to use influences from across the globe to develop exciting new products to secure a career in the food industry.

The 23-year-old has always classed herself as a ‘foodie’ - developing a passion for unusual flavours whilst travelling around the world. 

Charlotte, from Mill Hill in London, also draws upon her experience of living in the capital. She said: “Living in London, new bars and restaurants open all the time. This combined with my affection for travel, has influenced my love of new products.

“I love anything a bit different or exciting, I want to challenge myself so will try any product once!

“My favourite flavours are those with an Asian influence as I’ve travelled to Thailand. But I also really like classic, retro English flavour combinations.”

Whilst at university, Charlotte has thrown herself into life at Harper Adams. As well as being the course representative in her first year for her degree and a student ambassador, she is part of the brew club, the Planet Harper society and enjoys horse riding.

She took part in a cultural exchange to Beijing last year and spent three weeks working on a honey farm in France using language skills learnt as an extracurricular activity.

She was also part of a team of nine students that won the UK finals of Dragons’ Den-style competition, Ecotrophelia, which strives to find the best eco-innovative food product. Charlotte also intends on entering the competition this year with her team’s product ‘Nomoo’ a dairy-free yoghurt made using coconut milk.

The BSc (Hons) Food and Consumer Studies student, who previously studied hospitality and catering and patisserie and confectionery at Barnett College, added: “I’ve wanted to work in the food and drink industry for a while but wasn’t sure exactly which area.

“I have no particular family link to the sector other than enjoying visiting different restaurants with my family and friends. My mum also shares my passion for good food and exploring what the world has to offer.

“Since being at university I’ve realised that I would like to have a career in New Product Development, creating products that are a bit different with a fusion of influences.”

She added: “Coming to Harper Adams from London has been a change in lifestyle and I will admit that I do miss the buzz and atmosphere of London.

“But, the employment rate here is favourable and I wanted a campus university with a specific food course, so Harper Adams was exactly what I was looking for.

“The facilities are excellent and the lecturers are so knowledgeable and push students to achieve their potential. I love it! By being here, I’m so excited to get stuck in and learn.”

Charlotte recently received the news that she will be spending her placement year with dairy company, Yeo Valley.

Want to be featured student of the month? E-mail jheath@harper-adams.ac.uk