Rachael Armstrong,
sales minister,
Pieminister, on skydiving, Johnny Vegas and amusingly shaped cucumbers
What was your first-ever job? I was a pot-washer in a pub located in the middle of nowhere in the Yorkshire Dales. I worked with a lovely old rogue called George who brought me amusingly shaped cucumbers.
What was the first music single you bought? She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult. My mate had cool, older sisters who were a big influence on my musical taste.
How do you describe your job to your mates? It involves talking pie non-stop to everyone from old codgers in pubs to shelf stackers in supermarkets. I'm always on the road, pushing pie. We call it crust lust.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? I get to meet such lovely characters. It's a cliché, I know, but the company is great to work for. I find it interesting meeting other food producers as well.
What is the least rewarding part? It is a shame when you lose a customer for reasons beyond your control, such as the recession.
What is your motto in life? Don't fight it, feel it! I say that a lot, apparently.
What's your nickname? Piegirl.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? More overseas travel. We've just set up distribution in Ireland and I would love to go back. I was invited to Melbourne for a trade show recently. Instead I will have to go to Billingsgate fish market which I'm sure will be great.
What's your favourite movie and why? I often watch The Wicker Man as it reminds me of home. Nuts in May is fantastic too.
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? While I was a newspaper reporter, a brothel was uncovered and I had to locate it. I was knocking on doors when I came across a couple in a garden one of whom had a clipboard. I asked if they had noticed any police around and explained I was looking for the brothel. The woman replied "No. I'm an estate agent trying to sell this house to this gentleman!"
Do you have any phobias? Edges at great heights. I've tried everything to cure it, from skydiving to hot air ballooning.
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be? Johnny Vegas. Although he claimed he lost weight by giving up pie.
If you could change one thing in the industry what would it be? It is a shame when you overhear store staff who are unable to talk about their products. How are you expected to sell with passion if you've never tried it?
What was your first-ever job? I was a pot-washer in a pub located in the middle of nowhere in the Yorkshire Dales. I worked with a lovely old rogue called George who brought me amusingly shaped cucumbers.
What was the first music single you bought? She Sells Sanctuary by The Cult. My mate had cool, older sisters who were a big influence on my musical taste.
How do you describe your job to your mates? It involves talking pie non-stop to everyone from old codgers in pubs to shelf stackers in supermarkets. I'm always on the road, pushing pie. We call it crust lust.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? I get to meet such lovely characters. It's a cliché, I know, but the company is great to work for. I find it interesting meeting other food producers as well.
What is the least rewarding part? It is a shame when you lose a customer for reasons beyond your control, such as the recession.
What is your motto in life? Don't fight it, feel it! I say that a lot, apparently.
What's your nickname? Piegirl.
If you were allowed one dream perk what would it be? More overseas travel. We've just set up distribution in Ireland and I would love to go back. I was invited to Melbourne for a trade show recently. Instead I will have to go to Billingsgate fish market which I'm sure will be great.
What's your favourite movie and why? I often watch The Wicker Man as it reminds me of home. Nuts in May is fantastic too.
What has been the most embarrassing moment in your life? While I was a newspaper reporter, a brothel was uncovered and I had to locate it. I was knocking on doors when I came across a couple in a garden one of whom had a clipboard. I asked if they had noticed any police around and explained I was looking for the brothel. The woman replied "No. I'm an estate agent trying to sell this house to this gentleman!"
Do you have any phobias? Edges at great heights. I've tried everything to cure it, from skydiving to hot air ballooning.
If you could pick a celebrity to join your staff who would it be? Johnny Vegas. Although he claimed he lost weight by giving up pie.
If you could change one thing in the industry what would it be? It is a shame when you overhear store staff who are unable to talk about their products. How are you expected to sell with passion if you've never tried it?
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