Rachel Fletcher of Westward Laboratories, Callington, Cornwall, UK, has been awarded first prize in the 2004/2005 Oxoid Laboratory Technician of the Year Award.
Rachel Fletcher of Westward Laboratories, Callington, Cornwall, UK, has been awarded first prize in the 2004/2005 Oxoid Laboratory Technician of the Year Award.
In addition to the prize of £1000, Fletcher has also won a trip to the 2006 International Association of Food Protection Meeting in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
The judges of the award say that Rachel has taken her promotion to Media Preparation Controller as a challenge, and through her implementation of new systems and improvements to existing ones, has quickly provided business efficiencies and cost reductions.
One of the judges commented: "You would want this woman to work for you".
This is one of the highest accolades, as the judging panel consisted of acknowledged experts in food safety and hygiene, including Alec Kyriakides, head of product safety, Sainsbury's Supermarkets; Roy Betts, head of microbiology, Campden and Chorleywood Food Research Association; Chris Bell, independent food consultant and author; Derrick Blunden, editor, International Food Hygiene; and David Long Chairman of the British Beer and Pub Association.
Muhammad Sabir Hussain of Qarshi Research International came second, and Youngs Bluecrest Seafoods' Kate Roberts, came third.
