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Cheryl Cohen
Director
London Farmers Markets
October 25, 2011

Whether you work in the food industry, or daydream about working in it, chances are that you spend as much time as you can at your local farmers' market. Even if it's only once in a blue moon, on a random weekend drive upstate, when you find yourself at the telltale cluster of tents, there is a feeling of magic that's hard to attribute to any one component - the sight of fresh produce, the way people are drawn together, the possibility of what you'll discover among the stands. When Nina Planck founded the London Farmers' Markets in the UK capital, Cheryl was the first person she hired to help her organize that magic and spread it around the city. If you're in the area, don't miss out on an opportunity to visit one - and if you live there, don't miss Cheryl's invitation to get involved (see below)!

What attracted you to a good food job?

I always seemed to be drawn to food - I collect cookbooks,  I've cooked professionally, I've written about food for a couple of magazines, made food-themed radio features, directed and produced food programs and I have always loved markets.  My friends say of me that wherever I am in the world I'll find where local people shop.  If it turns out to be a supermarket, I'll still seek out the markets and small shops that reflect the individuality and character of the place. As for why I didn't take a job as a chef, I'm not fast enough and to be honest I like being outdoors.  Being a chef often means never seeing the light of day.

How did you get your current good food job?

I answered an ad after being alerted to it by a friend. When I started working at LFM, the founder Nina Planck, was busy writing her cookbook so it was up to me to keep the markets running, which I did single-handedly. I remember the very first thing I did at my new job was show Nina how to make mayonnaise!  There were just the two of us for quite a while, whilst the markets grew.

We're still a small company with only three full time people; myself, Mark and Arthur. We run the markets, find new producers and sites, co-ordinate existing markets. Danielle is our part time administrator who we couldn't do without.

How did your previous work or life experience prepare you for a good food job?

I'd done plenty of independent film work, organizing shoots, so I thought, if I can organize and produce, I can run a market. Multiply that by eighteen weekly markets, and that's a lot of balls being juggled in the air at any one time.

What advice do you have for others in search of a good food job?

Don't be shy to send your CV. Get experience. Find out what you want to do and make it happen. We're still a very small company and we don't have space to employ anyone else but we're always happy to consider people who may be good market managers - get in touch!

If you could be compensated for your work with something other than money, what would it be?

In addition to running the markets, I also write seasonal food columns for three food magazines and I'm starting a blog - so I would love more leisure time please!

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