From Skewers Table to QA Leader: Meet Dash

Amaryllis Kesteven, affectionately known as “Dash” to the team, launched into her job on the skewers table in 2016 with gusto – and it didn’t go unnoticed. 

Amaryllis "Dash" Kesteven being presented with the 2022 Employee of the Year award

The Andrews Meat Industries team quickly spotted Dash’s eagerness to learn and rewarded her hard work from day one. Starting as a Production Tablehand, her dedication paved the way for a fast career rise. Today, she proudly leads the team as QA Area Manager for Foodservice.

Along the way, Dash has boosted her skills with some seriously impressive qualifications:

• AUS-MEAT Standard Officer Food Services certification (2018 – beef, pork, sheep/goat)

• Allergen Management (2019)

• Internal Food Safety Auditor (2019)

• Food Safety Culture Awareness (2020)

• Six Sigma White and Yellow Belt (2021)

• HACCP Principles and Applications (2022)

With Head of Quality Assurance Lawrence Taylor guiding her, Dash has nailed food safety compliance – overseeing everything from when products arrive right through to delivery. She makes sure every item meets Australian standards and keeps Andrews Meat’s certifications current with HACCP, AUS-MEAT, and NSW Food Authority Requirements.

Dash says her favourite part of the job might surprise you – it’s spotting product defects. She’s well-known in the AMI team for her precision and sharp eye when it comes to catching even the smallest issues.

“The best thing about my job is that I am able to find defects before they get to the customers,” Dash says. “It gives me that sense of reassurance and that I'm confident, when I do find things, that our systems actually work.”

Dash’s 10-year career journey exemplifies how Andrews Meat Industries nurtures talent – by spotting promise, providing training, and opening doors for growth. Now, she brings the company’s values to life with her keen attention to detail, strict focus on compliance, and deep respect for food safety.

“I’ve found it’s easy to connect with everyone here. People are friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to take the time to show you how the whole process works. It’s truly a privilege to be part of that.”