16 Sep 2026
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: St Albans dad Ben Whitehead, founder of children’s snack brand Scrapples, whose Plain Apple Crisps recently received a two-star Great Taste Award. Ben started Scrapples in his kitchen using surplus fruit from St Albans market, and the brand is now stocked in Tesco, Ocado and Co-op, supports schools with free healthy snacks.
Do you ever Google yourself?
I’ve never Googled myself, for fear of what the surrounding sponsored search terms might suggest.
What’s your worst habit?
Habit? Finishing other people’s sentences. I know it’s incredibly annoying, but…
What object would you save first if your house was on fire?
My laptop, probably because it’s new (Should I have said my children here?).
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t worry too much about anything. One day, people will pay you to dry apples for a living.
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the district?
The Hub St Albans, for so many reasons. It’s become a brilliant part of my working life. I’ve met some amazing people there whilst feasting on fine food.
Which day of your life would you most like to relive?
The day the Thameslink Wi-Fi worked properly. I passed out in disbelief and woke up at Luton Parkway.
Ideal dinner party guests?
Diego Maradona, although I’m not sure how much he’d eat. Kurt Cobain, who I suspect wouldn’t be much help with the small talk either. And Muhammad Yunus, who would be the key note speaker (and almost certainly regret accepting the invitation).
What was your first job?
Buffing the floors of a paint factory canteen for £3.25 per hour in a rundown town. It was every bit as glamorous as it sounds. If I was lucky, there would be left over buffet food, that I definitely didn’t eat.
Odyssey or Netflix?
Any St Albanite would say the Odyssey – and rightly so. It’s one of the most charismatic cinemas I’ve ever been to. I went to see a musical there (which I generally dispise) purely to hang out, have a beer and some cheese. I also love the personal introductions to the films from the staff – truly heartwarming and full of Dad jokes.
How long would you survive a zombie apocalypse?
I think I’d do quite well, perhaps two to three weeks – purely because I’m a big foodie and my house is full of healthy dehydrated food. I’ve also watched The Last of Us, it’s not going to end well is it?
