For almost a century, York has been the birthplace of one of the most popular chocolate bars globally: KitKat.

Introduced in 1935 as Rowntree’s Chocolate Crisp, this beloved treat has been manufactured in the historic city ever since.

Today, owned by Nestlé, the York factory remains the hub of KitKat production, not only for the UK but also for markets worldwide.

Behind the scenes, a dedicated team of experts is continuously enhancing and modernizing the product while preserving its timeless flavor that has delighted generations.

Being involved in the production of one of the UK’s favorite chocolate bars as a profession is a dream for many. However, for Rob Jackson, a product and process specialist at Nestlé working on KitKat, it is a reality.

Rob ventured into the confectionery industry eight years ago without a culinary background but with a master’s degree in forensic anthropology and teaching experience.

“I sought the chance to work in a practical scientific lab with industrial applications,” he stated.

“Nestlé was hiring a lab technician for its global confectionery R&D center in York, and I thought, ‘what a fantastic role’.”

Since joining Nestlé, Rob has transitioned through various departments, from the lab to the healthy snacking and KitKat team in the Product Technology Centre, to his current diverse role in the factory.

Rob and his team are consistently refining and enhancing their processes. “There are always new developments, even with our core products,” he mentioned.

“It could involve testing a new ingredient, adjusting a recipe slightly, modifying our manufacturing process, or incorporating new equipment – such as modern technology to decrease carbon emissions from our wafer baking or enhancing efficiencies in the molding process.”

Rob also emphasized, “Sustainability is a major focus for me currently – aiming to reduce carbon emissions from our operations and supply chain.”

He further teased, “Exciting new chocolate bars are in the pipeline, but that’s all I can reveal for now!”

When working on a well-known and cherished product like KitKat, maintaining high standards is crucial, and one way this is ensured is through an internal team of expert tasters.

“They are trained to detect subtle differences and articulate them objectively and scientifically,” Rob elaborated.

“Instead of personal preferences like ‘I like this,’ they focus on descriptors such as ‘this one has a more pronounced cocoa flavor, biscuit flavor, or milk flavor…’

“We then use this data to gauge if it aligns with consumer preferences and make decisions accordingly.”

Not surprisingly, Rob is content with the career path he has chosen.

“Even on challenging days – when things go awry or chocolate spills everywhere – you can pause, look around, and think, ‘what I do is pretty amazing! It’s so enjoyable’,” he reflected.

After 90 years, KitKat stands as a symbol of York’s rich confectionery legacy, and with individuals like Rob, its future appears just as promising.