Meet Kieren Spouge
“I’m lucky to have found a job I actually enjoy – one that gives me the freedom to explore and create.”
- Job Title: Flavourist
- Company: Blends Ltd
- Degree: BSc Food Science, University of Nottingham
From Ice Cream Dreams to Flavour Creation
Kieren Spouge didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a flavourist. As a child, he wanted to be an ice cream man – then later shifted his sights to archaeology and palaeontology. But a free Biology summer school at the University of Reading opened his eyes to something new: food science.
“It seemed like a good industry – food isn’t going anywhere. I’d never considered it before, but I found it really interesting.”
That spark led Kieren to the University of Nottingham, where he studied Food Science with a placement year. It was during that placement that Kieren’s career turned to flavour.
Finding Flavour
Kieren spent his placement year at Mane, a flavour house in Derby, working as an Applications Technologist. It was a behind-the-scenes introduction to the world of flavour and it stuck.
“I liked using flavours. I liked making drinks with them. I wanted to go a step further and dig into the next layer.”
After finishing his degree, he landed a role as a Trainee Flavourist at Blends Ltd, despite having no previous knowledge of aroma chemicals. What he did have was a good nose and the ability to describe what he smelt and that was enough to get started.
What Does a Flavourist Actually Do?
Kieren works mainly on beverage flavours, both still soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, as well as powdered flavours for things like protein shakes.
“Most of my work is flavour development. It’s a lot of trial and improvement – tasting, tweaking and repeating.”
His job also bridges multiple departments:
Applications Team: He collaborates closely, giving and receiving feedback.
Production & Quality Control: He supports when flavour-related issues arise.
Sales & NPD Teams: He ensures flavour integrity from concept to product.
No Day is the Same
A typical day? There isn’t one.
“I walk in with a plan and by the end of the day, I’ve done some of it… but something always comes up!”
Some days he’s deep in the lab on solo projects. Others, he’s problem-solving with applications, tweaking formulations or supporting production. It’s hands-on, ever-changing and full of surprises.
The Joy of Flavour
“I like the creation side of it,” he says.
Much of his day is spent experimenting: blending, sniffing, tweaking and tasting.
“Sometimes I’ll just smell something and think, ‘Maybe… give it a go.’ It doesn’t always work, but it’s worth a try. At least then I know.”
One of the most satisfying parts of his job is flavour matching – trying to recreate a specific taste, right down to the subtlest note.
“It’s about making the right little tweaks,” he explains. “The final changes, the last pieces of the puzzle – that’s what I enjoy most.”
Career Progression & Opportunities
While he’s not looking to change paths anytime soon, Kieren sees room to grow:
- Senior Flavourist is the next step.
- Opportunities exist in Applications, New Product Development or Management.
- He appreciates how closely flavour work aligns with other teams, making transitions easier.
“I don’t think I’ll get bored with flavour but if I did, I could shift easily.”
Advice for Aspiring Flavourists
Kieren’s top tip? Start in Applications.
“It’s a great way to get close to flavour – making products, learning how flavours work, building sensory skills.”
He credits his start in applications for building the confidence and knowledge he needed to move into flavour creation.
Final Thoughts
Kieren is clear: this is a job he loves.
“I’m having fun. I’m still learning. I look at senior flavourists and think, one day that’ll be me.”
He’s not in a rush. There’s still plenty to discover in the world of flavour and he’s savouring every bit of it.
Could Flavour Be Your Future?
Kieren’s story shows that becoming a flavourist isn’t about having the perfect plan – it’s about curiosity, experimentation and being open to opportunities. Whether you love food, chemistry, or creative problem-solving, the flavour industry could be a surprisingly exciting place to land.
The best thing about being a Flavourist
Discover what Kieren loves most about being a Flavourist.
In this short video he shares the moments that make the job uniquely rewarding and explains why creating flavour never loses its sense of excitement.
