John Foster 2009
John Foster told FoodManufacture.co.uk this week that it came as a “right shock” to win the Personality of the Year award in 2009.
He revealed that people still mention him winning the award before he is introduced to speak at events, despite him having won an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam University for services to the food industry and an MBE for his services to unemployed people since.
“It was mentioned when I was awarded my honorary doctorate and MBE, and is still mentioned when people write about me or I am introduced to speak at events, so it’s a real kudos,” he said.
Reflecting on the night he won the award, Foster said he was surprised to win because of the high calibre of the other nominees.
“Out of all the people in the running, I was the only one I hadn’t heard of – everyone else were people that I admire immensely.”
Since winning the award, Foster said Fosters Bakery has done pretty well, growing steadily in spite of weather and wheat crop challenges.
“Our competitors come in with a big bang and they’re soon gone. It’s like the fable of the tortoise and the hare; they try to race ahead and end up burning out. We just slowly march on, year on year.”
Foster said he felt he was voted Personality of the Year by FoodManufacture.co.uk readers in an online poll because of his tendency to ask questions of the industry.