Food Nation

Staff Profiles

Rachel [Boss Woman] Gemmell - Managing Director
Affectionately known as El Presidente, Rachel is the head honcho around here and the brains behind the ever growing Food Nation Empire. Having worked basically every position there is in the food industry culminating in over 20 years of experience Rachel knows just a little bit about food, and can sincerely relate to everyone’s point of view. Rachel takes no prisoners and her steadfast belief in karma means that you’ll never get anything but the plain honest truth from anyone here at Food Nation. Added to which, Rachel’s deep affection for the words ‘shoog, my-darling, bubela, baby-cakes and hunny-bunny’ make everyone around here (and in gourmet food stores all over Adelaide) feel much loved.

Stephen [Babe] Best - Finance Manager
Our ultra laid back finance guy Stephen has made wearing converse sneakers of varying colours and styles into an art form. He too has had much experience in the industry, but has decided that his true calling is in the exacting criteria of the money world. Stephen is an integral member of the team and in between making us treats; buying us treats and being a treat he makes sure those pesky books balance every month.

Louise [Cheesy] Elder - Operations Manager
Somewhat surprisingly, Louise does not get her nickname from her dry, cheesy comments, but instead from her extensive background in the food industry, specifically in the world o’ cheese. Cheesy’s ultra organised, on the ball, no nonsense manner made her the perfect addition to the Food Nation team. She has utilised her expertise into the every day operations and running the warehouse to within an inch of its life. Not only is Cheesy especially capable in every task she undertakes but due to her years of industry experience, she also knows practically everyone (!!) making her an ideal Food Service consultant. And so! Forth with! The expansion of Food Nation into the restaurant and catering arena...

Sasha Pedler [Bubbles] Sales Representative
Sasha delights in talking about and of course trying delicious gourmet products - although you wouldn’t know it by looking at her. The minute you meet her you will get the reason for her nickname. Effervescent nature doesn’t really cover it. Needless to say, she is VERY popular with our customers who adore her high energy, can do attitude and empathetic disposition. Sasha owned her own cafe before joining the Food Nation team in November 2007, so certainly knows the ins and outs of small business. She makes selling our premium products look effortless, and does everything with a 100 watt smile on her face.

Olivia [Liv-star] Lee - Marketing and Communications
Considering I, Liv, am writing all this copy myself I have to admit to feeling somewhat self conscious penning anything about myself…however, it’s a tough job and somebody’s gotta do it! Suffice to say that when I am not whizzing around the office managing the marketing and in house sales side of things, my main concern is where my next source of chocolate will come from, and rest assured I generally don’t concern myself with the trivialities of what the product actually IS before I have inhaled it. So long as it’s sweet (like me!!) I’m all for it. And let’s be honest, this website would be decidedly less interesting (note: it wouldn’t be finished as the copy wouldn’t have been written) if it weren’t for little old moi! There would also be decidedly less exclamation marks involved I can assure you of that. (exclamation marks should be illegal…RG) Applause welcome but not mandatory.

David Ferguson [Da-Vidi] - Dispatch and Delivery
David has been clocking up the kilometres for Food Nation since the company was still in nappies. He is also a very experienced industry stalwart, but has decided that his real work love is TRUCKS and DRIVING. David ensures all Food Nation’s premium gourmet goods arrive at their destination unharmed and looking as perfect as when they were packed. Not only that, but he is always the loveliest, most friendly man, which is no mean feat when you're lugging and parking all through the year in all weather.

Elle [Elster] Elder – Girl About Town
Elle joined the Food Nation team in August 2007 and is the daughter of the fabulous Louise, making her our junior cheese. In the middle of a media degree Elle regales us with hilarious pop culture anecdotes and can quote the entire movie ‘Superbad’ word for word, needless to say she’s rather entertaining (when she’s not purposely giving people electric shocks). All the same, she fills many a gap as they arise in the team and our service – she’s like our own personal “Multipurpose No-More-Gaps”. As if that wasn’t enough, she’s also as pretty as a picture, cheeky, obliging and way, way cool.

Sam [Samular] Harris – Warehouse Slave/All Round Good Guy
He's got spiky hair but not the personality to match; Sam is indispensible within the Food Nation team with his can do, no-complaining policy. A deceptively clever smarty pants, he works all the girls with charm and finesse and somehow manages to work the warehouse in a similar manner, all the time. This technique clearly extends to his mother too – the evidence of which is an expansive packed lunch EVERY DAY.