A lucky student has landed a dream two-year job with the sole aim of producing the best chocolate in the world.
Natalia Mansilla, 31, has already been dubbed the “chocolate graduate” after being chosen to embark on a relentless pursuit of confectionary perfection. The Chilean is taking on the unusual role at Mackie’s of Scotland’s new, purpose-built, £600,000 chocolate factory at Westertown Farm, Aberdeenshire.
The first-of-its kind position will see the food science and technology graduate continue her studies during the research project. Her work will even drill down to a molecular level as she tries to establish the ideal chocolate particle size.
Natalia said: “To spend the next two years finding the ultimate chocolate is a dream come true and the envy of many of my old course-mates. “The team on the farm have been especially welcoming and it is amazing to work with a brand that is so ambitious and flexible enough to try new things, as I’m able to experiment and follow up on my ideas.
“I love food and I’m fascinated by the science, the chemistry and emotion of it all. Unlike a lot of sciences, we all relate to food, as we all need it.”
Natalia will apply state-of-the-art testing and lab techniques in an attempt to scientifically establish the ultimate combination of ingredients and procedures to produce ultraconsistent and flawlessly smooth chocolate.
Her research will help the family firm as it looks to expand its range of chocolate products, and will also help the new product development kitchen with toppings for its renowned ice cream flavours.
Mackie’s current line of chocolate is closely tied to its core ice cream flavours, with milk chocolate, honeycomb, mint and 70% dark chocolate comprising the range, which has established itself in a short space of time, achieving major contracts with Tesco, Sainsbury’s and the Co-op. As well as a hi-tech approach to chocolate perfection, the company also has two chocaholics who help develop new flavours. They won their position after a worldwide search and competition earlier this year.
Kirstin Mackie, Development Director and one of three sibling owners, said: “Natalia is joining at a very exciting time for our endeavours in chocolate.
“She brings a real energy and we are making sure we can facilitate her new ideas with our product development, as Natalia and the wider team here at Mackie’s have a real opportunity to develop a chocolate brand for Scotland – producing quality chocolate for all tastes.”
An MSc graduate of Nottingham University, Natalia, originally from Santiago in Chile, will work closely with Abertay University as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership programme, with her position partfunded by the UK Government and by Mackie’s.
She received the opportunity through InnovateUK’s Government supported ‘Knowledge Transfer Partnership’ helping businesses innovate through the better use of knowledge, technology and skills that reside within the UK knowledge base – and providing universities with increased commercial ties.
Mark Abbs, KTP Advisor at InnovateUK, said: “In Natalia, Mackie’s have a real asset, somebody with energy and enthusiasm who I have no doubt will become a leading figure in the industry.
“Mackie’s is a progressive and ambitious company, making this partnership a great fit that will develop the sector in Scotland – and hopefully establish Mackie’s Chocolate as an iconic Scottish brand along with its ice cream.”
Dr John Grigor, Food and Drink Science Lecturer at Abertay University, said: “New product development in the food industry is not an easy task with notoriously high failure rate for new products.
“Each food category generates its own specific technical and marketing issues and chocolate is no exception. Chocolate and more broadly confectionery is an area that the food team at Abertay University are keen to get involved in as it is an interesting category growing primarily due to novel ingredients and creative product development.
“Natalia will be using the facilities at Abertay University to test a lot of the new products being developed at Mackies. Instrumental testing of the chocolate samples will be undertaken to help understand the structure and composition of the chocolate.”
MACKIE’S OF SCOTLAND
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