For close to a century, York has been the birthplace of KitKat, one of the world’s most popular chocolate bars.
First introduced in 1935 as Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp, this beloved confection has been manufactured in the historic city ever since.
Now owned by Nestlé, the York facility remains the core of KitKat production, not only for the UK market but also for global distribution.
Behind the scenes, a team of dedicated specialists continuously enhance and modernize the product while staying true to its timeless flavor enjoyed by generations.
Many dream of contributing to the creation of a favorite chocolate bar like KitKat, but for Rob Jackson, a product and process specialist at Nestlé focusing on KitKat, it’s a reality.
Rob ventured into the confectionery industry eight years ago with a background in forensic anthropology and teaching, rather than in food.
He sought a hands-on scientific role in an industrial setting, which led him to Nestlé’s global confectionery R&D center in York.
Rob’s journey at Nestlé has seen him transition through various departments, from the lab and healthy snacking to the KitKat team in the Product Technology Centre and now his diverse role in the factory.
Continually refining and enhancing the product is a key focus for Rob and his team, whether through ingredient testing, recipe adjustments, process improvements, or adopting modern technologies for sustainability and efficiency gains.
Rob emphasizes his current focus on sustainability, aiming to reduce carbon emissions throughout the production and supply chain processes.
Exciting new chocolate bars are in the pipeline, but Rob remains tight-lipped about the details.
Ensuring quality and consistency in a beloved product like KitKat involves an expert tasting panel trained to identify and articulate subtle flavor nuances objectively and scientifically.
Feedback from these tastings helps determine consumer preferences and guides decision-making.
Despite the challenges, Rob finds immense satisfaction in his career, appreciating the unique and enjoyable aspects of his work, even during stressful moments.
With a rich history spanning 90 years, KitKat continues to symbolize York’s confectionery legacy, promising a sweet future with individuals like Rob driving innovation and excellence.