Mike Morgan is the managing director of Savona Foodservice
What was your first ever job? If you count my student days, then working on a sausage production line and helping to lamb and tend to close to 1,000 sheep. I loved being outdoors and vowed I’d never work in a warehouse – how little I knew then! My first real job was as a sales rep for Tarmac, selling ready-mixed mortar.
How would your colleagues at Savona describe you? I need to have dozens of things on the go, a little particular and usually thinking about the next thing. And love a few minutes on Excel.
If you could turn any activity into an Olympic sport that would give you a chance of winning a medal, what would it be? Writing and completing to-do lists – although less so these days, it has stood me in good stead so far. That or being intolerant of anyone else in the kitchen whilst I’m cooking
If time and money were not an issue, what hobby would you most like to get into? Learn to fly a jumbo jet – although right now, I’m glad I didn’t choose a career as a pilot!
Interview- How has Savona Foodservice adapted to the pandemic?
What would your perfect day involve? Get up when I wake up – but happy if it’s early – no need to lie in – I prefer mornings. For breakfast I’d have smoked salmon and creamy scrambled egg on granary toast and a strong coffee, with freshly squeezed orange juice. Following that, i’d find somewhere to go clay-pigeon shooting in the morning, followed by meeting my wife for lunch (assuming the children are at school) and find something to fix (this gives me a sense of achievement for the day). I’d then meet up with close friends in the evening and we’d plan our next holiday.
What is your song of choice at karaoke? Neil diamond – Forever In Blue Jeans.
Who would be your four ideal dinner party guests? Neil Armstrong, Elon Musk, Christopher Columbus and Captain Kirk. I love the idea of discovery and reaching new frontiers, and the dream of “boldly going where no man has gone before”. If I forget my family responsibilities for I moment, I’d love to be on the first trip to Mars, even if I knew it was one-way.
What would you cook them? Something simple, that would mean I don’t spend too much time in the kitchen and have the most time with them to talk. I’m a fan of simple foods cooked well. Perhaps steak and chips – done well, it’s a winner
What fad or trend would you like to see make a comeback? The original Sony Walkman – as a child in the early 80’s I was lucky enough to have a red one (with an AM/FM radio!!). I remember having to plan when I wanted to use it so that I could recharge the batteries in time. Mine had a rewind and fast forward – quite something at the time.
If you were a superhero, what would you choose as your superpower? The ability to turn back time, to correct mankind’s most damaging decisions (war, environment, selling off national assets!!) – not for personal gain.
What do you wish you knew more about? Everything – I’m fascinated by facts and learning – I normally gravitate to the Discovery Channel – ideally about machinery and engineering, or history/war. I often find that the truth is far more unbelievable than fiction – if you don’t believe me then watch The 12th Man or read Operation Mincemeat, you couldn’t make this stuff up.
When was the last time you changed your belief or opinion about something major? I wouldn’t say I’ve totally changed my mind, but as a life-long meat eater and son of a butcher, watching The Game Changers really opened my eyes – I haven’t suddenly changed my habits but occasionally have something that is meat-free. I recommend watching this – it’s eye opening – but I still like a bacon sandwich.
