If not nuggets, there's also chocolate, cranberries and possibly butter up for grabs
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A popular bargain retailer in the UK, B&M, recently listed a job opening that made fast-food lovers worldwide gasp with disbelief—they were seeking a “Chicken Nugget Connoisseur.” The dream job listing requested “a tasty new individual who’ll be worth their weight … in food.” Have a passion for fast food? Discover 33 things your fast food worker isn’t telling you.
Dream Job Details
The job listing went on to outline the strict experience requirements, among them “getting the 20-share box of nuggets from McDonald’s and keeping them all for yourself,” “being the first in the office kitchen whenever someone says there’s cake” and “going to an event or party because there is free food.”
However, recently the job listing had been removed. One can only imagine that it got so much attention that B&M stores were inundated with qualified applications. Chicken nugget aficionados around the world crossed their fingers in anticipation of a life-changing phone call.
More Delicious Opportunities
For those who missed out on what sounds like one of the most delicious and sodium-filled career paths, rest assured that not all hope is lost. The dream of taste-testing food as a viable profession may still be alive and well. We were able to locate a few other jobs that, at the very least, insinuate job duties include eating.
“The individual will apply appropriate focus and concentration on tasting responsibilities.” I stopped reading after “Hershey” and basically just pictured a chocolate river, a la Willy Wonka.
“Support product innovation … by providing culinary and consumer perspective to flavor analysis.” I’m pretty sure that means “taste stuff.” Hopefully this involves their yummy cheeses, because analyzing tubs of butter all day might get a bit heavy.
Yes, the spice people. And yes, you could call yourself a Spice Girl on your resume if you land the gig. They’re looking for taste-testers who live near their Maryland headquarters, but it’s not a full-time gig by any means. You can participate in taste-testing up to four times a year.
If you’re passionate about cranberries—and let’s be honest, who isn’t?—then strap on a pair of those high-water boots and jump into the bog. At least, that’s what the commercial makes me believe. The job duties include performing “in-process and finished goods product testing. Pull and test product not fulfilling quality standards.” In other words, don’t let any bad cranberries get through.
Qualified tasters are needed all over the country to test various products, food included, for grocery stores. Simply create a profile and wait to be contacted about a focus group near you. “You will be asked to taste, touch, smell and/or look at products and answer questions about them.” Sign me up.
Let’s not forget that Taste of Home is also a hub of taste testing! Each week, our experienced and enthusiastic staff tastes everything from cookies to boxed wine to cinnamon rolls—not to mention all our recipes. We’re just some of the lucky ones!
If you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana
Years ago, I drove 4-1/2 hours to a cake contest, holding my entry on my lap the whole way. But it paid off. One bite and you'll see why this velvety beauty was named the best chocolate cake recipe won first prize. —Sandra Johnson, Tioga, Pennsylvania
This hearty slow cooker chili can cook for up to 10 hours on low in the slow cooker. It's so good to come home to its wonderful aroma after a long day away. —Sue Call, Beech Grove, Indiana
One of the best parts of the many fairs and festivals in Indiana is the corn dogs! My family loves corn dogs, so I fix them fairly often at home. —Sally Denney, Warsaw, Indiana
I recently made this recipe of Mom's for my in-laws and they told me it was the "best fried chicken ever." Slicing the chicken breasts into strips cuts down on cooking time and ensures every piece is crunchy and evenly coated. Serve the homemade chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. —Genny Monchamp, Redding, California
It’s no secret that Wisconsinites love their dairy—so much that they sometimes top their burgers with a generous pat of butter.
My recipe is a lot like the butter burgers you’ll find in popular restaurants all over the state. —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio —Becky Carver, North Royalton, Ohio
These fries are always popular with my meat-and-potatoes bunch. The cheesy seasoning can easily double as a flavorful baked potato topper, too.—Maribeth Edwards, Follansbee, West Virginia
My husband adores this barbacoa, which is beef roast simmered in lime juice, chipotle and cumin. He would eat it one a week if I would make it that often! We have it over rice with cilantro and a spritz of lime. —Aundrea McCormick, Denver, Colorado
Mushrooms add a different touch to these comforting roast beef sandwiches. I like to pile the shredded beef high on Kaiser rolls.—Scott Powell, Phillipsburg, New Jersey
Make any dinner fun with my Loaded Waffle Fries, topped with a savory blend of cheese, scallions and bacon. I copied this family-favorite recipe from a local restaurant, and it's great with hot dogs, burgers or by itself. —Jeffrey Viccone, Decatur, Illinois
I threw these ingredients together on a whim and the sandwich turned out so well, I surprised myself! If you're in a rush, microwave the bacon. Just cover it with paper towel to keep it from splattering too much. —Dana York, Kennewick, Washington
My 3-year-old is going through a stage where he'll eat only chicken nuggets and French fries. I like to make these golden nuggets for him so I know what he's eating. They're so good, we like them, too! —Amanda Livesay, Mobile, Alabama
We love the breadsticks at our local pizza joint. Now I can get that same gooey-from-the-oven treat, but I never have to leave the house. —Heather Bates, Athens, Maine
Kid-friendly and quick, these crunchy oven-baked chicken fries are coated with a mixture of crushed potato chips, panko bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip them in ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or honey-mustard sauce.—Nick Iverson, Denver, Colorado
Distinctive coffee flavor accents the filling of these ooey, gooey rolls. The glaze goes on while they are still warm—they won’t last long!.
—Sherri Cox, Lucasville, Ohio
I turned classic breakfast sandwiches into something heartier that you could even enjoy for dinner. We pile toppings like salsa and avocado—mayo and ketchup, too—on the homemade biscuits. —Fay Moreland, Wichita Falls, Texas
I came up with this recipe after my daughter had cheese fries at a restaurant and couldn't stop talking about them. She loves that I can fix them so quickly at home. Plus, the frozen fry packets can be refrigerated and reheated. —Melissa Tatum, Greensboro, North Carolina
I think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and the perfect indulgence on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas
The light coffee flavor in these tasty sugar-glazed doughnuts makes them a perfect start to the morning...on Christmas Day or any day. You'll find that the recipe is a delectable way to use up leftover potatoes. —Pat Siebenaler, Random Lake, Wisconsin
Some years ago, our daughter welcomed me home from a hospital stay with this Asian dish and a copy of the recipe. Now I freeze leftovers for fast future meals. —Kay Bade, Mitchell, South Dakota
These onion rings cook to a crisp, golden brown. This is one of those foods you never tire of and a great side dish to so many meals. —Betsy King, Duluth, Minnesota
Amanda Kippert has been an award-winning freelance journalist for nearly two decades. She is based in Tucson, Arizona and specializes in food, health, fitness, parenting and humor, as well as social issues. She is the content editor of the domestic violence nonprofit DomesticShelters.org.