Our brand Wall’s, the UK’s No.1 sausage roll brand, has introduced a brand-new format to the hot pie fixture with the launch of its Deep Dish Pizza Pies
Vadasz Founder Nick Vadasz recently caught up with The Grocer as part of its My Alternative CV series, which provides a glimpse into the personal and professional lives of leaders across the food and drink industry.
Nick Vadasz is the driving force behind our brand Vadasz, taking the company from a street food stall in London to the UK’s leading Chilled Pickles and Ferments brand.
As well as sharing his passion for pickles, Nick discusses his biggest phobias, his worst job interview, and the most rewarding part of his job at The Compleat Food Group. Read the full interview here….
What was your first job? I once worked as a chef at a themed restaurant called Sweeney Todd’s – I learnt early on how ‘cut-throat’ hospitality can be!
What’s been your worst job interview? It was a hot summer’s day in central London, and I was interviewing for a sales job (not my strength). I arrived late and dripping with sweat like a sauna dweller. I didn’t hear a single word they said as all I could concentrate on was the vast river flowing across my forehead and into my eyes. I styled it out by refusing to wipe my brow whilst the dark sweat patches formed on my light blue shirt, acting as beacons of a young man literally melting away. I still got the job though.
What was the first music single you bought? Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody. Big then and now, it’s definitely stood the test of time!
How do you describe your job to your mates? It goes something like this: “I founded a pickle and ferments business 12 years ago. You know, sauerkraut, kimchi and pickles? I sold it to The Compleat Food Group but I still work for the brand on Media and in NPD, creating new, exciting products, which is great because it’s what I’m best at!”
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Creating new products, getting great feedback from customers and seeing them succeed in the retailers. Nothing beats it!
What is the least rewarding part? I love the smell of kimchi (second only to the taste of it) but not smelling like it all the time!
What is your motto in life? Eat more pickles. (I’m getting this on a t-shirt)
If you were allowed one dream perk, what would it be? Paid pickle trips. Eating my way around the world, packing in as many pickles as possible, as only the Picklesman can!
Do you have any phobias? Yes, a poisonous snake appearing from under my last and only jar of pickles.
If you could change one thing in grocery, what would it be? Well, obviously I’d replace the ambient shelves with bespoke refrigerated pickle aisles, fully loaded with all things naturally brined and overflowing with healthy, gut loving bacteria.
What luxury would you have on a desert island? A mixed pallet or two of Vadasz pickles. And as I’m lying on the beach, a good hardback novel – anything really, so long as it prevents my pickles from falling. There’s nothing worse than sandy pickles.
What animal most reflects your personality? It’s a split: Wild cat/terrier/butterfly.
What’s your favourite film and why? Blue Velvet – Ticks all the boxes: It’s horrific/dark yet romantic and beautiful with a magical soundtrack and magnificent, memorable performances.
What was the most embarrassing moment in your life? Doing a stand-up routine and very briefly fading out of character. I realised in that moment what the audience were experiencing. Self-doubt must be banished at all times!
Which celebrity would you most like to work with and why? None, all the good ones are dead but if I had to pick, it would be Tom Waits. Some of his genius might rub off on me and also because he’s not on Instagram!
What would your Death row meal be? A Full English breakfast. It must include fried bread: a great Stornaway black pudding, The Butchery’s (London’s best!) thick cut streaky bacon and sausages; two fried eggs (Clarence court); fried tomatoes; Heinz baked beans (not the home-made nonsense) and white crusty buttered toast (definitely not sourdough!) with a pickle plate on the side, so I don’t get indigestion. Heavenly!
From charity fun runs to big brand anniversaries, discover what we're up to over here at Compleat!
Our brand Wall’s, the UK’s No.1 sausage roll brand, has introduced a brand-new format to the hot pie fixture with the launch of its Deep Dish Pizza Pies
We’re celebrating a huge award success at The Grocer New Product and Packaging Awards with two of our products crowned Champions and a whole host of other award wins!
At The Compleat Food Group, we’re proud to have an incredible team of talented development chefs, each bringing their expertise and creativity to the table. In our Behind the Apron series, we’re diving into what inspires them in their unique roles. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Ewan McFarlane, our Group Pastry Chef. Ewan…
Our brand Pork Farms, the UK’s best-selling pork pie brand, is launching Meateors a new meat snacking brand specialising in ready-to-eat, protein-packed pork meatballs to add variety and excitement to the category.