Gen Z Is Redefining Work. Are You Ready?

In this week’s episode of Oh For Food’s Sake, we dig into the hot topic of Gen Z in the food industry. If you’ve ever heard a colleague moan that “Gen Z just don’t want to work,” or felt frustrated trying to figure out what really motivates the next generation, you’re absolutely not alone. Amy (a proud Gen X) and Lucy (a self-confessed “elder millennial”) get real about tackling stereotypes and decoding what Gen Z actually needs at work while sharing some personal confessions from their own early careers (yep, we’ve all hidden mistakes at some point!). We take a brutally honest look at why these generational differences matter for everyone in today’s food businesses. There’s plenty of chat about what’s driving Gen Z—from craving meaningful work that aligns with their values to needing environments where it’s genuinely safe to make mistakes. The episode also serves up practical advice on embracing the strengths Gen Z brings and reveals just how hilarious it is when two millennials can’t tell their Tik Toks from their reels. Most of all, there’s a heartfelt reminder: our industry thrives when we stop blaming each other, start listening, and adapt together.