Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast That's A Food Job!
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| Salma Fotovat, Co-Founder & Sourcing & Procurement Director at Riverside Natural Foods, Ltd. - Home of MadeGood (#121) | 21 Feb 2026 | 00:44:59 | |
Salma Fotovat is the Co-Founder & Sourcing & Procurement Director at Riverside Natural Foods, Ltd. - Home of MadeGood. They are a Canadian-owned company that specializes in creating healthy, allergy-friendly snacks In this episode Salma explains the difference between sourcing and procurement, why supplier relationships are long-term strategic partnerships, and what it really takes to bring the right ingredient into the right plant at the right time. Salma shares how organic certification, allergen controls, regulatory approvals, and R&D trials all intersect before an ingredient ever reaches production. We also discuss navigating supply chain disruptions, managing climate-related crop failures, and why social and environmental due diligence will define the future of procurement. Throughout the conversation, Salma emphasizes critical thinking, adaptability, relationship-building, and resilience as core skills for students considering supply chain careers. --- --- CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development. --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction --- 📙 Career Guides --- CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 💼 Salma Fotovat LinkedIn | |||
| Pratistha Banerjee, Product Development and Commercialization Manager at Darigold (#120) | 07 Feb 2026 | 00:51:51 | |
Pratistha Banerjee is a Product Development and Commercialization Manager at Darigold, a global supplier of dairy and specialty food products. Pratistha shares insights into her role, emphasizing that food product development is not just about flavor but also about functional ingredients, supplier collaboration, and navigating complex operational and regulatory requirements in the dairy industry. She discusses the challenges of optimizing existing products and taking new product ideas from concept to plant launch, as well as what innovation truly means in a large food company. Pratistha highlights the importance of curiosity, problem-solving, and communication in building a successful career. Throughout the conversation, Pratistha reflects on her journey from early career roles to her current position. She emphasizes adaptability, continuous learning, and the value of building strong relationships with colleagues, suppliers, and operators. For students and aspiring food scientists, Pratistha encourages experimenting, learning from real-world challenges, and understanding the functional and technical aspects of ingredients. --- --- TIMESTAMPS (00:00) What Food Product Development Really Is and Isn't --- 📙 Career Guides --- CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 💼 Pratistha Banerjee LinkedIn | |||
| Supporting People and Culture in Ag with Leslie Nienkark, HR Business Partner at KWS Group (#111) | 24 Jul 2025 | 00:48:19 | |
Leslie Nienkark is an HR Business Partner at KWS Group, one of the world's leading plant breeding companies. KWS specializes in breeding and selling seed for crops like corn, sugar beet, cereals, rapeseed, sunflowers, and vegetables. Although Leslie hasn't spent her entire career in agriculture, her HR experience spans a variety of industries including media, software, architecture, and retail. This gives her a broad and insightful perspective on workplace culture. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Leslie shares what it's like to work in human resources within the agricultural sector and explains the role HR plays in supporting both people and organizational goals. We talk about how KWS develops seed products, what makes a positive workplace culture, and why communication is key to employee retention. Leslie also offers practical advice for new professionals on what to ask when starting a role and how to navigate today's evolving workplaces. This episode is especially helpful if you're curious about HR as a career path or want to better understand how strong HR practices shape the food and ag industries from behind the scenes **
*** #46 – Melissa Norem, Enterprise Director of Origination at Scoular *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog) *** CONNECT *** SAY THANKS | |||
| Ep 22- Getting the dish on the NEW George Brown Honours Bachelor of Food Studies program with Professors Lori Stahlbrand and Caitlin Scott | 31 May 2021 | 00:43:57 | |
Welcome to episode 22 of the FoodGrads Podcast on this week's podcast, I interviewed Professors Lori Stahlbrand and Caitlin Scott of George Brown College in Toronto, Ontario. They are here to introduce the college's NEW Honours Bachelor of Food Studies degree which combines culinary arts and a comprehensive food studies curriculum. It is the first of its kind in Canada and is meant to bring a new focus on justice and equity, sustainability and health, and a new awareness of how these societal issues can be analyzed and resolved. In this episode Lori, Caitlin and I talked about:
There is still time to apply to the program for a September 2021 start. So if you are interested check out the links to this episode to find out more information. Show Notes
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| Ep 21- Why directors need to see the big picture with Danielle Szostak the Director of Product Development at Give and Go Prepared Foods | 17 May 2021 | 00:40:47 | |
On episode 21 of the FoodGrads Podcast I interviewed Danielle Szostak the Director of Product Development at Give and Go Prepared Foods Give, Canadian manufacturer of premium frozen, thaw and sell baked goods. In this episode, Danielle and I talked about:
Show Notes | |||
| Ep 20- Understanding the role of policy in building communities with Danielle Collins Economic Development Policy Analyst at Ontario Federation of Agriculture | 12 Apr 2021 | 00:47:55 | |
On episode 20 of the FoodGrads Podcast Veronica interviewed Danielle Collins, Economic Development Policy Analyst at Ontario Federation of Agriculture.
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| Ep 19- How to innovate and find your passion with Michelle Lang, Food Scientist | 29 Mar 2021 | 00:43:10 | |
On episode 19 of the FoodGrads Podcast I interviewed Michelle Lang, Food Scientist and soon to be graduate of Niagara College's Culinary Innovation and Food Science, Product Development program. Not to mention a serial innovator who has ran a few of her own businesses.
Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-19-diving-into-the-exciting-world-of-plant-based-restaurants-with-trish-paterson-ceo-of-copper-branch-foods/ | |||
| Ep 18- Diving into the exciting world of plant-based restaurants with Trish Paterson, CEO of Copper Branch | 15 Mar 2021 | 00:48:07 | |
On episode 18 of the FoodGrads Podcast I interviewed Trish Paterson the CEO of Copper Branch. Copper Branch is a 100% Plant-Based Quick-Serve restaurant chain with a mission to empower, energize, and make people feel their best. Established in Montreal, Canada they have locations across Canada and recently have expanded to Nashville and Europe. On this week's episode Trish and I talked about:
Show Notes: https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-18-diving-into-the-exciting-world-of-plant-based-restaurants-with-trish-paterson-ceo-of-copper-branch-foods/
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| Ep 17- How to problem solve with quality assurance with Fatema Bastawala QA/ HACCP Coordinator at Toppits | 08 Mar 2021 | 00:43:51 | |
On episode 17 of the FoodGrads Podcast, I interviewed Fatema Bastawala, a Quality Assurance and HACCP Specialist at Toppits Foods. Toppits Foods is an importer and supplier of frozen foods to the Canadian foodservice, retail and manufacturing industries, specializing in seafood. In this episode Fatema and I talked about:
Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-17-how-to-problem-solve-with-quality-assurance-with-fatema-bastawala-qa-haccp-coordinator-at-toppits/
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| Ep 16- Building a food industry career by putting yourself out there with Karen Cardona, Founder & Owner at True Leaves Consulting | 15 Feb 2021 | 00:40:29 | |
On episode 16 of the FoodGrads Podcast, I interviewed Karen Cardona Founder and Owner of True Leaves Consulting. True Leaves Consulting is a consulting agency with the goal of helping bring food and beverage products to the masses. Whether it's finding reliable suppliers, crafting the perfect recipe or developing compliant product labels. True Leaves Consulting is there to help. In this episode Karen and I talked about:
Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-16-the-power-of-putting-yourself-out-there-with-karen-cardona-founder-owner-at-true-leaves-consulting/ | |||
| Ep 15 -The power of travel to transform your career with Ridhima Phukan, Associate Product Developer at Danone North America | 18 Jan 2021 | 00:50:29 | |
On episode 15 of the FoodGrads podcast, Veronica interview's Ridhima Phukan, an Associate Product Developer at Danone. In this episode we learn about:
Show Notes
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| Ep 14 - Breaking into the food industry without a food science degree with Veronica Hislop, Molecular Science Graduate Student at Ryerson University | 11 Jan 2021 | 00:52:34 | |
On episode 14 of the FoodGrads podcast, Veronica is interviewed by Anjali Patel aboout her university experience. In this episode we learn about:
In this episode Anjali sat down with to ask me questions about my journey in the food industry from high school to now and why I decided to go graduate school after working in a year in the industry. We also dive into more about my program and why I am not in a food degree program despite my involvement with it. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-14-breaking-into-the-food-industry-without-a-food-science-degree-with-veronica-hislop-molecular-science-graduate-student-at-ryerson-university/ | |||
| Ep 13- Understanding the value of brokers,distributors and consultants for food start-ups with Bernard Verkaaik, Founder/Operating Manager of the Greater Goods | 08 Dec 2020 | 00:41:07 | |
On this week's podcast we interview Bernard Verkaaik, the Founder and Operating Manager of the Greater Goods, a food industry consultancy based in Toronto,Ontario. In this episode we talk about:
Bernard is an expert at his craft. You can tell that he is excited about the food industry and playing a role in shaping what is to come. Not mention you can just tell he loves his job and seeing others to succeed in their buisnesses. If you are unsure about the inner working of a grocery store and want to understand what happens after you develop a product than this is the episode for you. And with that onto the show ShowNotes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-13--understanding-the-value-of-brokersdistributors-and-consultants-for-food-start-ups-with-bernard-verkaaik-founder-operating-manager-of-the-greater-goods/ | |||
| Inside Food Product Development with Louisa Bachman, Food Scientist at KIND Snacks (#110) | 10 Jul 2025 | 00:54:57 | |
Louisa Bachman is a Food Scientist at KIND Snacks. KIND offers a range of products, including nut and fruit bars, breakfast bars, granola clusters, and refrigerated nut butter bars. Before joining KIND however, Louisa earned her Food Science degree at UMass Amherst, where she both led their school's Food Science Club and Alpine Skiing club. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Louisa shares what it's really like to work in product development, walking us through how a concept turns into a product on the shelf. She breaks down the role of flavor iteration, sensory testing, and shelf life studies, while also offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of her favorite projects—developing savory KIND bars. Throughout the conversation, Louisa reflects on how collaboration, curiosity, and strong communication play an essential role in getting new products to market. We also talk about the skills that help food scientists succeed in the industry, how food trends shape innovation, and the importance of networking early in your career. Whether you're a student exploring food science or someone interested in how the snack industry works, this episode provides valuable insight into a career in product development. **
*** #94 – Michael Sharp, Director of Research and Analytics at the Heartland Food Products Group *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog) *** CONNECT *** SAY THANKS | |||
| Ep 12-From science degree to marketing with Sarah Condruk, Marketing Coordinator at Give and Go Prepared Foods | 30 Nov 2020 | 00:46:36 | |
Welcome to episode 12 of the FoodGrads podcast, the podcast where we explore careers in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. On this week's podcast I interview Sarah Condruk a Marketing Coordinator at Give and Go Prepared Foods. Give and Go Foods is a Canadian manufacturer of premium frozen, thaw and sell baked goods. Give & Go produces a wide range of dessert and sweet baked goods that are sold to leading retailers and foodservice operators across the world.
Sarah was a really easy person to chat with and it just made the interview fly by. I love Sarah's story because it goes to show that in the food industry you can start in a science degree but end up in a different field. It also shows the importance of trying new things and talking to others because it is better to try something new than stick with something you know you don't Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-12-from-science-degree-to-marketing-with-sarah-condruk-marketing-coordinator-at-give-and-go-prepared-foods/ | |||
| Ep 11: How to market yourself for a job as a student/graduate with Dr.Amy Proulx Professor and Academic Program Coordinator of Culinary Innovation and Food Technology at Niagara College | 23 Nov 2020 | 00:54:50 | |
Welcome to episode 11 of the FoodGrads podcast. The podcast where we explore the fascinating career paths of professionals in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. I'm your host Veronica Hislop a molecular science graduate student and career partner with FoodGrads. I am super excited to share this week's podcast because I am talking with Dr.Amy Proux the Academic Program Coordinator of Culinary Innovation and Food Technology at Niagara College.
I am a huge fan of Amy and everything that shes does so I was excited to sit down with her for an hour and listen to her story. She is a wonderful person who cares so much about the industry and students that she teaches. She is one of those super networkers that seem to appear in almost every industry conversation because people love her so much.
In this episode we learn about Amy's career path from undergraduate degree and PhD and how she "made" her own job position during the 2008 Recession period in Canada something that somewhat mirrors what we are going through right now. Using that as inspiration I thought this was a great chance to ask Amy about what students can do to get a job. Finally we talk about networking and all the wonderful opportunities which can come from joining associations like CIFST if you are student.
Students this a must listen episode because Amy gives so much tangible advice that you can use at every stage of your career. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-11-how-to-market-yourself-for-a-job-as-a-student-graduate-with-dr-amy-proulx-professor-and-academic-program-coordinator-of-culinary-innovation-and-food-technology-at-niagara-college/ | |||
| Ep 10- Pivoting into a career of dairy-free yogurt with Amelia Laplante, R&D Food Scientist at Yoso | 16 Nov 2020 | 00:40:28 | |
On this week's episode I interviews Amelia Laplante a Research and Development Scientist at Yoso. A family run business creating dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan yogurts and spreads in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada. They are also the creators of Canada's first oat yogurt- which is a pretty exciting! On this episode Amelia tells me about how fun her role is an R&D scientist at plant-based company and the sustainability benefits which come from consuming these products. A lot of this episode is focused on talking about Amelia's strategic career pivots and how through her positive attitude to networking both in school and even with her own co-workers she was able create new opportunities. Not only does it help you build connections but in the food industry it can give you a better picture of the whole food supply chain. Amelia is a remarkable person who believes that it is important to have goals but also to stay flexible with them because you never know what is waiting around the corner. Don't be afraid to shoot someone a message- you never know where it will take you. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-10-pivoting-into-a-career-of-dairy-free-yogurts-with-amelia-laplante-rd-food-scientist-at-yoso/ | |||
| Ep 09- Improving Quality and Efficiency in the Cannabis Industry with Aylene Peter, QA/RA Liasion at Canopy Growth Corporation | 09 Nov 2020 | 00:42:24 | |
Welcome to episode 9 of the FoodGrads podcast. This week on the podcast I have my first ever podcast guest who works in the Cannabis space- Aylene Peter the QA/RA liaison at the Canopy Growth Corporation. Canopy Growth Corporation, is a cannabis company based in Smiths Falls, Ontario. They have a huge brand portfolio with products that include both recreational and medicinal marijuana products.
In this episode, Aylene teaches me about the Cannabis industry and the quality side behind these products and how Canopy Growth ensures that these products are safe when getting to consumers. We also talk about her mentors, the challenges she faced when trying to find a job, her love for auditing and how great the people in the Cannabis space are.
Aylene is just a such a warm person that has shown me that even if you don't know what you want to do out of high school or even college that that's okay. If you keep showing up, connect with people, stay positive and most of all having confidence in yourself things will eventually fall into place. This conversation has really shown me that the Cannabis sector is an exciting place work and maybe individuals interested in a career in the food and beverage industries should also consider a job in the cannabis sector as well. There is a lot to be learned.
Show Notes
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| Ep 08- Job searching and interviewing in the age of Covid with Nicole Gallace and Dr.Darin Detwiler | 02 Nov 2020 | 00:31:56 | |
Welcome to episode 8 of the FoodGrads podcast. The podcast where we explore careers in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. I'm your host Veronica Hislop a molecular science graduate student and career partner with FoodGrads.
This week's episode is a special one because I am sharing a conversation from Nicole and Dr. Darin Detwiler, LP.D., M.A.Ed., the Assistant Dean of Academic and Faculty Affairs at Northeastern University's College of Professional Studies on interviewing and applying for jobs in the age of COVID. This episode was originally published on the FoodGrads Youtube channel but I thought the conversation was so insightful that I had to share it here.
Don't worry we will be back with our regular programing next week. But maybe if this is something that is popular enough we can do more episodes like these. If that is something you enjoy then reach out to me at my email veronica@foodgrads.com
Now onto the show Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-08-job-searching-and-interviewing-in-the-age-of-covid-with-nicole-gallace-and-dr-darin-detwiler/ | |||
| Ep 07- Training the next generation of food safety professionals with Victor Muliyil, the Founder of the Risk Optimization Resource Centre | 26 Oct 2020 | 00:51:30 | |
Welcome to episode 7 of the FoodGrads Podcast, this week I interview Victor Muliyil the Technical Director of the Risk Optimization Resource Centre. This centre is a technical group of highly qualified and experienced industry professionals in the food/feed/cannabis and pharmaceutical sectors. This centre offers multi-media, adult learning format, tool kit based training, risk assessment, auditor training and consultancy using leading-edge risk assessment 5 pillar approach to create proven results. Though we will break down what that means in this episode. In addition, on this episode, Victor and I will discuss how the risk optimization centre came to be and how it stemmed from him noticing that food auditors today are becoming a little bit lax and how a new approach is needed to train the next generation of food safety leaders. A lot of this episode is spent talking about the new training that will be offered on the FoodGrads platform and how students can use this training to accelerate their careers right out of school. Opening new careers paths, better chances at getting hired and most importantly learning how become better food safety professionals through new approach to food safety.
With that I hope you enjoy the show! Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-07--training-the-next-generation-of-food-safety-professionals-with-victor-muliyil-the-founder-of-the-risk-optimization-resource-centre/ | |||
| Ep 06- Breaking into the confectionery industry with Elizabeth Hagerman, Food Scientist at The Warrell Corporation | 19 Oct 2020 | 00:48:55 | |
On episode 6 of the FoodGrads Podcast, I interview Elizabeth Hagerman, a Food Scientist at the Warrell Corporation. The Warrell Corporation is one of the top contract candy- manufacturing companies in North America which focuses on chocolate panning, fire roasting, brittle, nut clusters and better-for-you snacks. In this episode Elizabeth and I talk about her "sweet" job at the Warrell Corporation and what it means to be a "middle-man" company. Elizabeth than goes on to talk about why she loves her job and the challenges she has faced through working on caramel related projects. Elizabeth also discusses with me her current endeavor of working towards a master's degree in global food law and how they idea came to be. I will say it is such a cool degree which is so applicable in today's global food chain. We also talk about PMCA - the professional manufacturing confectioners association and how we were both part of the student outreach program. If you haven't heard of PMCA than check them out it is they are amazing association doing so much for the industry. Overall, Elizabeth is such as cool person. You can tell she is well suited for being a food scientist because of her can do attitude. She is willing to take on new challenges because she knows it will allow her to grow as a person. You'll really be able to tell that in this episode and think that her story is one that we could all learn from. With that I hope you enjoy the show! About Elizabeth Elizabeth began her career at Warrell Creations in 2017 when she was brought on board by the research and development department as a food technologist. Within a few short months, they knew they had a new outlook on one of their beloved core processes. Exploring new and innovative food products and processes is one of Liz's main passions. She earned her bachelor's degree in food science and technology from Oregon State University and received a minor in chemistry along the way. Her experience in the food industry includes everything from food service to interning with Kroger to working as an R&D lab technician — all before finding Warrell Creations. Liz's focus here at Warrell Creations involves improving and developing products for one of their exemplary core processes — caramel! Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-6-breaking-into-the-confectionery-industry-with-elizabeth-hagerman-food-scientist-at-the-warrell-corporation/
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| Ep.05-Creating opportunities through action with Sashana Chatoo-Edwards, Quality Assurance Technician at Waterloo Brewing | 05 Oct 2020 | 00:45:16 | |
On episode 5 of the FoodGrads Podcast, I interview Sashana Chattoo-Edwards, a Quality Assurance Technician at Waterloo Brewing Company. Waterloo Brewing Company is Ontario's first craft brewer opening in 1984 and today it is Ontario's largest craft brewery.
In this episode Sashana and I talk about her job as a QA tech and the analytical tests that shes does on a daily basis. I learn about what she loves about her job and how Centennial College set her up for success in her career. We also talk about how her love for food stems from her time on her family farm in Jamaica and her attendance at both an agricultural high school and college.
I have known Sashana for a few years now and her positive and outgoing attitude is one that lights up the room. For work ethic and ability to search out opportunities is amazing. We round out this episode talking about how Sashana became a FoodGrads campus ambassador and what opportunities came through it mainly through her connections with Nicole and blogging on the website.
I also wanted to mention we have a special guest on the show in the background. Sashana's new born son is in the background so if you can hear some giggling it is him. The podcasts youngest fan!
Anyways, I hope you enjoy the show! Show Notes | |||
| Ep 4- The Power of Informational Interviews and Co-op Programs with Sonya Turvey, R&D Packaging Project Lead at PepsiCo | 25 Sep 2020 | 00:49:14 | |
On episode 4 of the FoodGrads Podcast, I interview Sonya Turvey, the Research and Development Packaging Project Lead at PepsiCo. PepsiCo, as you all must be familiar with, is a global business which have some big-name brands likes Quaker, Tropicana, Gatorade, Frito-Lay and Pepsi-Cola, just to name a few. Sonya has just a cool job because she works specifically in the Packaging Development for the FritoLay division. In this episode, we learn about Sonya's role in the company and what exactly a job as a packaging project lead does. There is a lot that goes into designing packaging for a product. So I am sure that you will learn a lot as I did. Sonya and I also spend a lot of time talking about her career journey and how her co-op experience was while doing her Biochemistry degree. Sonya strongly advocates for doing co-op during school and how it changed her life and gave her direction. Another big focus of the episode is talking about informational interviews and networking. Sonya gives some tips on how to land your first job out of school and how how to get hired for co-op positions. There is a lot of really good lessons you can take out of this episode if you are still in school. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-4:-the-power-of-informational-interviews-and-co-op-programs-with-sonya-turvey,-r&d-packaging-project-lead-at-pepsico/ | |||
| Ep .03 - From Master's degree to Manager of Operations & Quality with Clear Ocean Seafood Ltd.'s Manager of Operations & Quality Sean Xia | 21 Sep 2020 | 00:42:19 | |
Sean Xia is Clear Ocean Seafood Ltd.'s Manager of Operations and Quality. Clear Ocean Seafood, established in Vancouver, BC, Canada, is an importer, wholesaler and custom packer of premium quality frozen seafood products. Clear Ocean's primary product lines are frozen sea scallops, bay scallops, scallops on the half shell and have a range of products which include bacon-wrapped, something we talk about in the show. You can tell that Sean deeply loves his job and the people he works with. He has a strong understanding of the whole system of manufacturing and how creating a food product is truly a team effort. Sean gives a lot of useful advice for students that you can tell comes from his own journey. I really enjoyed learning about how he believes the industry can make you grow as a person because it helps you build confidence by talking with others. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-03:-from-master's-degree-to-manager-of-operations-&-quality-with-clear-ocean-seafood-ltd-'s-manager-of-operations-&-quality-sean-xia/ | |||
| Inside Food Safety Leadership with Marin Pavlic, Director of QA Programs & Compliance at Sofina Food (#109) | 16 Jun 2025 | 00:52:33 | |
Marin Pavlic is the Senior Director of QA Programs & Compliance at Sofina Foods and the current President of the Ontario Food Protection Association (OFPA). With over 15 years of experience in food manufacturing, Marin brings a deep understanding of food safety, team leadership, and regulatory compliance to his work—along with a strong belief in the power of networking and continuous improvement. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Marin shares how he built his career by learning to trust the expertise of his team, learning adjacent skills and networking within the industry. He discusses the importance of communication and team dynamics, the role of data in driving smarter decisions, and how regulatory changes can be used as a catalyst for growth. We also explore his passion for professional development and his work with OFPA to build community and mentorship across the food sector. If you're interested in food safety careers, building leadership skills, or how to grow in a traditional industry through learning and collaboration, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration. ** *** #77–Neha Mehta, Food Safety Quality Assurance Compliance Coordinator/Supervisor at Maple Leaf Foods Inc. *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog) *** CONNECT *** SAY THANKS | |||
| Ep.02 Building a future-forward tourism industry workforce with Joe Baker, OTEC's Systems Leadership and Integrated Strategy Advisor | 14 Sep 2020 | 00:40:52 | |
On episode 2 of the FoodGrads podcast we have Joe Baker, OTEC's Systems Leadership and Integrated Strategy Advisor. OTEC (Ontario Tourism Education Corporation) is an Ontario-based collaborative, not-for-profit organization that is a leader in workforce innovation and skills development solutions.
In this episode, we learn about what OTEC is and the role they are playing in helping Canadians navigate through the uncertain future of the restaurant industry during COVID specifically through OTEC's tourism and hospitality emergency rapid response initiative.
Joe and I also talk about COVID's evolving role in changing the landscape of the restaurant and hospitality industry and how through these difficult times comes the chance for positive change to create a more inclusive, resilient work workforce.
I am happy to have had the chance to speak with Joe Baker. Joe is an eloquent speaker and you can tell he is really passionate about what he does. I left this conversation feeling more hopeful about the future despite the uncertainty of things. As Joe explains it in this episode there are things you can do right now which can help you on your career journey. The first step is to take a step back, breath and reflect.
So enjoy the show! Show Notes:
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| Ep.01 - Supporting Students & Graduates Start their Career in the Food & Beverage Industry with FoodGrads Founder Nicole Gallace | 08 Sep 2020 | 00:31:27 | |
FoodGrads is an interactive platform for the Food & Beverage Industry focused on closing the gap between students/recent graduates, educators and employers in food service & food processing. Our mission is to support the next generation of food industry professionals. Our broader priority is to attract forward-thinking, socially conscious people to pursue a career in food. An exclusive community of 'food' minded professionals who collaborate and aspire to a healthier world. Nicole Gallace is a friend, a mentor and a co-worker who I have had the pleasure to have known for years. She is also the creator of this awesome platform which has given me the opportunity to share how great the food and beverage industries are. This is episode 1 of the FoodGrads Podcast the podcast which takes you on a fascinating journey in to the hearts and minds of the amazing people who work in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. From Food Scientists to Farmers, Chefs to the Plant, QA Technicians to Dietitians, R&D to Sales, no matter what your passion–there's something for everyone in Food–we'll help you find it! We share insights from professionals at all stages in their careers. Find out what they do, why they do it and how they change the world one day at a time. Featuring weekly episodes every Monday with your host Veronica Hislop this podcast will showcase careers and opportunities you didn't even know existed! In this episode, we dive into learning about the exciting world of FoodGrads. We explore what FoodGrads is, how it came about, why the food industry is a great place to work and the campus ambassador program. We hope you enjoy the first episode! | |||
| Building AI for Food Scientists with Thomas Hayes, Co-Founder at Agilitas (#108) | 23 May 2025 | 00:52:45 | |
Thomas Hayes is the co-founder of Agilitas, a company building AI-powered tools to help food scientists formulate faster, smarter, and with more confidence. By transforming messy spreadsheets into an intelligent platform, Agilitas is tackling the "cold start" problem in food R&D and making it easier for teams to benchmark products, create base formulas, and retain critical institutional knowledge. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Tommy shares his unconventional path from chemical engineering to food tech founder. He talks about building a customer-first platform, the power of feedback loops in product development, and how AI is being used to reduce trial-and-error in formulation—without replacing the scientist behind the bench. We also dive into his global experiences working in Singapore and Saudi Arabia, and what those perspectives taught him about innovation, communication, and risk-taking. If you're curious about the future of food science, the role of AI in product development, or how to build something new in a traditional industry, this conversation is a must-listen. ** *** #81–Harjeet Bajaj, President and CEO of Savourmetrics *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog) *** CONNECT *** SAY THANKS | |||
| The future of CPG packaging with Tyler de Sousa, Co-Founder at Circulr (#107) | 03 May 2025 | 00:46:15 | |
Tyler De Sousa is the co-founder of Circulr, a company helping Consumer Packaged Goods brands close the loop on their glass packaging through reuse. By managing the logistics of sourcing, collecting, and redistributing reusable containers, Circulr is making it easier for businesses and consumers to reduce waste and support a circular economy. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Tyler shares how a small pilot project turned into a growing social enterprise. He talks about the challenges of changing consumer behavior, the importance of industry collaboration, and how technology is helping scale systems of reuse. We also explore the personal side of entrepreneurship—staying motivated, taking risks, and creating real community impact. If you're curious about sustainability, innovation, or building purpose-driven businesses in the food industry, you won't want to miss this one. ** Tyler De Sousa : LinkedIn Circulr: Website/LinkedIn/Instagram/ *** SPONSOR CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development. *** TIMESTAMPS Coming soon!*** RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE → # 29 - Rebecca Bradley, Chief Marketing Officer at Terra Bioindustries *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog) *** CONNECT *** SAY THANKS | |||
| Turning a food science degree into a sales career with Felicia Sia, account manager at Dempsey Corporation (#106) | 27 Mar 2025 | 00:47:40 | |
Felicia Sia is an Account Manager at Dempsey Corporation, a Canadian ingredient distributor specializing in innovative and technical ingredients. With a background in food science from the University of Guelph, her career has spanned multiple roles, including product development, technical sales and directing a cooking school for kids. In this episode, she shares insights into the world of ingredient sales, discussing what it takes to succeed as an account manager in the food industry. She explores the importance of active listening, building strong client relationships, and the key skills that set great sales professionals apart. Felicia also reflects on her career transitions, overcoming fears, and the value of taking risks. Her story offers inspiration for anyone considering a career change and looking for the confidence to take the next step. ** Felicia Sia : LinkedIn Demsey Corporation: Website/LinkedIn/Instagram/YouTube *** SPONSOR CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development. *** TIMESTAMPS Coming soon!*** RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE → # 29 - Marc Wall, VP of Sales at Sandy Shore Farms Ltd. *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog) *** CONNECT *** SAY THANKS | |||
| Building relationships: The art of sales in the food equipment industry with National Business Development & Sales Manager, Rafal Rusiniak at Handtmann Canada Limited(#105) | 13 Mar 2025 | 00:51:51 | |
Rafal Rusiniak is the National Business Development & Sales Manager at Handtmann Canada Limited, a company specializing in food processing equipment solutions. With over 15 years of experience in the industry, Rafal's journey into sales was unexpected—he originally pursued a degree in engineering before discovering his passion for sales and business development. In this episode, Rafal takes us inside the world of food processing equipment sales, sharing insights on building relationships with clients, the structured approach to sales training, and the process behind purchasing large-scale food manufacturing equipment. We also dive into the skills that make a great salesperson—like storytelling and understanding personality types—and why food processing equipment companies need food scientists too! ** Rafal Rusiniak : LinkedIn Handtmann Canada Limited: Website/LinkedIn/Instagram/YouTube *** SPONSOR CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development. *** TIMESTAMPS [0:39] What Handtmann Canada is [41:42] Advice for students thinking about going into food processing or sales
*** + RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE → # 78 - Somayeh Salemi, Business Development Specialist at Klever Equipped Inc. *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog)
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| Implementing lean manufacturing in food production with COO, Brian Allaway at Made with Local (#104) | 23 Feb 2025 | 00:44:28 | |
Brian Allaway is the COO of Made With Local, a company known for its commitment to real food, community connections, and sustainable business practices. With 16 years of experience leading teams in food manufacturing, Brian specializes in lean manufacturing, continuous improvement, and quality management. In this episode, Brian takes us inside the world of small-scale food manufacturing, sharing insights on building strong teams, fostering a culture where mistakes fuel growth, and the power of lean tools like Kanban (not KanBan, as you'll hear!). We also dive into the future of food manufacturing, including the skills needed to transform the industry and why traceability is more critical than ever. *** Brian Allaway: LinkedIn Made with Local: Website/ LinkedIn/ Instagram/ YouTube *** SPONSOR CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development. *** TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction to lean manufacturing in food production (1:45) Overview of Made with Local: a sustainable food company (3:30) Exploring Brian Allaway's role as COO in food manufacturing (4:43) Inside Made with Local's operations and production processes (5:45) Understanding Lean Six Sigma in food industry operations (16:14) Brian Allaway's professional journey in food manufacturing (19:45) Strategies for building company culture and effective teams (25:45) Essential skills for success in food manufacturing careers (31:19) Real-life manufacturing stories and lessons learned (36:40) Key certifications for plant management professionals
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RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE → # 78 - Gavin Johnston, Plant Manager at Veg Pro International Inc. *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog)
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| Building a Sustainable Food Future with Sustinability Manager, Berklee Welsh at Simple Mills (#103) | 05 Feb 2025 | 00:52:08 | |
Berklee Welsh is the Associate Sustainability Manager at Simple Mills, a company on a mission to make healthy choices easy through their line of snacks, crackers, cookies, and baking mixes using whole food ingredients. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of ingredient sourcing at Simple Mills and reveals how the Almond Project is uniting farmers, businesses, and experts to create a more sustainable food future. *** Simple Mills' Website/ LinkedIn/ Instagram/ YouTube *** RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE → # 99 - Joseph Lyons - Environmental Operations Coordinator at Susgrainable *** SIGN UP FOR WEEKLY FOOD INDUSTRY CAREER TIPS *** COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog)
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| Preventing Listeria Outbreaks with science and entrepreneurship with Laurent Dallaire, CEO and Co-founder of Innodal | 18 Dec 2024 | 00:48:32 | |
Laurent Dallaire is the CEO and co-founder of Innodal, a company dedicated to developing and producing for various sectors and offers innovative solutions to inhibit microbiological pathogens. With a background in biotechnological engineering from the University of Sherbrooke and a master's degree in food science from Laval University as part of the METABIOLAC industrial chair, Laurent combines technical expertise with entrepreneurial vision. Following his academic journey, he founded Innodal to address food safety challenges with innovative, science-backed solutions. His work focuses on bridging the gap between academic research and practical applications in the food industry, helping manufacturers improve safety, extend shelf life, and reduce recalls. Episode Takeaways
Things mentioned in this episode:
This week's episode is sponsored by:
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Food Safety Innovation
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| Balancing Function, Regulation, and Scale in Meat Product Development with Leslie Herbas at Ascona Foods (#119) | 18 Jan 2026 | 00:44:49 | |
Leslie Herbas is a Product Development Specialist at Ascona Food Group a global supplier of specialty food products. Leslie shares insights into her role, emphasizing that product development is not just about flavor but also about functional ingredients and navigating complex regulatory requirements, especially in the meat industry. She discusses the importance of customization in creating dry blends and edible films, which enhance the flavor and shelf life of meat products. Leslie also highlights the significance of documentation in ensuring that products meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Throughout the conversation, Leslie reflects on her journey in the food industry, from her beginnings as a production supervisor to her current role in product development. She emphasizes the importance of problem-solving skills, adaptability, and continuous learning in this dynamic field. Leslie encourages aspiring food scientists to experiment in their own kitchens, replicate products, and understand the functional ingredients involved. --- --- Check out next: Kaylah Farina, Product Development Manager at Sigma US --- CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development. CareersNOW! - What can you do with an Engineering Degree? --- TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction to Food Product Development and Problem-Solving -- 📙 Career Guides --- CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 💼 Leslie Herbas LinkedIn | |||
| Turning insights into actionable strategies with Matt Thell, Global Strategy & Innovation Leader at General Mills Inc. (#101) | 30 Oct 2024 | 00:46:20 | |
Matt Thell is a Global Strategy & Innovation Leader at General Mills Inc. General Mills Inc. is the creator of iconic brands like Cheerios, Pillsbury and Häagen-Dazs. Matt is a member of an internal consultancy team that helps teams within his organization tackle challenges and seize opportunities. His career journey spans over two decades, beginning with product development roles for beloved snacks like Chex Mix and Gardettos and evolving into strategic roles that focus on front-end innovation. 🔍 Episode Highlights:
Matt's / LinkedIn General Mills / Website /
TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog)
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| Serving up 100 episodes: Our Story of Growth and Inspiration with Sydney Mohr and Nicole Gallace (#100) | 02 Oct 2024 | 01:14:20 | |
This podcast marks the 100th episode of the FoodGrads Podcast! The podcast began in September 2020 and since then we have produced 100 episodes! The success this show has had and continues to build is all because of YOU. You listening, supporting, and sharing the show. We thank you for the support. To celebrate this achievement we are re-branding the the podcast to That's a Food Job! We wanted a fresh new look (and name) for the podcast. We're here to celebrate food industry professionals and proudly say—That's a Food Job! In this episode Veronica Hislop is joined with Sydney Mohr and Nicole Gallace both team members from the FoodGrads team. So in this episode, we talk about how the podcast came to be, highlights from past episodes of the show, the behind the scenes of the podcast, some of the most memorable guests in the first 100 episodes, and the unveiling of the new assets for the rebrand!
TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction (9:50) FoodGrads Podcast Rebrand (21:45) Looking at older intros of the podcast (37:00) Reflecting on the iterations (45:09) Behind the scenes of making the podcast (50:00) Listener Q&A
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| Environmental Operations Coordinator at Susgrainable - Joseph Lyons (#99) | 30 Sep 2024 | 00:49:47 | |
Joesph Lyons is the Environmental Operations Coordinator for Susgrainable. Susgrainable has a bold mission to create a world where food waste and diabetes are a thing of the past. Right now they are producing a variety of baking mixes but they are looking to expand in the future. Joseph with Honours from The University of British Columbia with a BCom specialized in Global Supply Chain & Logistics Management. Joesph is fairly new out of graduation but he has done a lot since he started at Susgrainable. In just 9 months he has helped build tools to track stock, built relationships with industry partners and he even has laid down the company's groundwork for ERP. 🔍 Episode Highlights:
Joseph's / LinkedIn Susgrainable / Website / Instagram / LinkedIn
TIMESTAMPS (1:15) Joseph's food job (2:55) How Joseph got into this role (5:30) What is supply chain (7:00) Susgrainable's supply chain (9:22) Joseph's role in operations (10:20) Launching a snack pretzel (17:15) Coordinating Susgrainable's supply chain (23:15) How Joseph got into supply chain (26:57) What Joseph likes about supply chain (32:42) Communication in supply chain roles (37:06) Why Susgrainable is a good place to work (38:21) Skills Joseph is working on (45:26) Advice for going into the supply chain
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SPONSORS CareersNow! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNow.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development.
SAY THANKS | |||
| Adapting to Change in Food Engineering and Navigating Industry Shifts with Associate Professor Seamus Higgins | Ep. 97 | 27 Sep 2024 | 00:55:19 | |
What does it take to shape the future of food production and drive sustainability in the industry? Seamus Higgins, Associate Professor and Course Director for Food Process Engineering at the University of Nottingham, shares his journey from electrical engineer to food process expert—and how he's inspiring the next generation of engineers. Seamus began his career as an electrical engineer in the food industry and has worked with leading international food companies including Tongaat Hewlett, Nestle, and Premier Foods. He has held lead project and senior management roles in factory development, food process engineering, and new product development, and has also consulted for global food and UK companies as well as entrepreneur development and new company start-ups. In this episode, you'll discover:
Seamus's / LinkedIn / Research Gate
TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction (1:40) What is the food? (4:50) Seamus's food job (9:30) What is a food engineer (13:20) How Seamus got into engineering (19:00) Evolution of the food system (26:05) How food technologies have changed (30:00) Learning how to manage change (40:21) What is exciting Seamus about the industry (51:40) Seamus's new book
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SPONSORS Canadian Food Innovation Network: Check out CFIN's Career Hub to learn more about CFIN's free membership, their Food Innovator Career Hub, and how can you can join the fastest growing food business community in the country.
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| How to advocate for Ontario's 28,000 Grain Farmers as a Market Development & Sustainability Manager with Dana Dickerson | Ep. 97 | 25 Sep 2024 | 00:51:11 | |
What does it take to represent 28,000 farmers and promote Ontario grains to the world? Dana Dickerson, Market Development and Sustainability Manager at Grain Farmers of Ontario, shares how she builds markets, fosters global relationships, and drives sustainability in agriculture. In this episode, you'll learn:
Dana's / LinkedIn / Twitter / Instagram Grain Farmers of Ontario / Website / LinkedIn / Twitter TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction
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SPONSORS Canadian Food Innovation Network: Check out CFIN's Career Hub to learn more about CFIN's free membership, their Food Innovator Career Hub, and how can you can join the fastest growing food business community in the country.
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| What Being a Food Science PhD is Really Like with AJ Taylor, Ph.D. is a Scientist II, Innovation at McCormick FONA | Ep. 96 | 22 Sep 2024 | 00:48:54 | |
AJ Taylor, Ph.D. is a Scientist II, Innovation at McCormick FONA who recently graduated from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign with a Ph.D. in food science where his research focused on understanding the physiochemical and microbiological aspects of cocoa bean fermentation. This research is looking at ways to understand how microbes affect the quality and flavour profile of the resulting chocolate. Obtaining a Ph.D. was a rewarding but challenging experience for AJ. In addition to his research AJ acted as a graduate teaching assistant who helped to teach food science to students. Today he works at McCormick FONA teaching clients about working better with flavours covering everything from the science behind flavour, the labeling landscape, to using flavor in your specific application. 🔍 Episode Highlights: • AJ's research • The unlikely experience that led to AJ getting a job • Day in the life of a PhD • Transitioning between grad school and industry AJ's / LinkedIn
TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction
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| Innovations in Food Safety: Cold Plasma Science with Brendan Niemira,PhD, Lead Scientist at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service | Ep. 95 | 04 Sep 2024 | 00:57:53 | |
Brendan Niemira, PhD is a Lead Scientist with the USDA's Agricultural Research Service. He leads a team of 30+ scientists, engineers, technicians, postdocs, and students in Wyndmoor, PA., developing tools to kill human pathogens on produce, meats, poultry, shellfish, and other foods. However, his focus and passion are developing and validating cold plasma, high-intensity monochromatic light, irradiation, and other nonthermal food safety treatments for fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Dr. Niemira has published over 180 peer-reviewed research articles, book chapters, and critical reviews. He is the co-editor and author of a well-regarded reference text and holds two patents. 🔍 Episode Highlights: • What Brendan does as a lead scientist • Why plasma could be a game changer for food safety • Growing your career through food organizations Brendan's / LinkedIn USDA Agricultural Research Service TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction
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SPONSORS Canadian Food Innovation Network: Check out CFIN's Career Hub to learn more about CFIN's free membership, their Food Innovator Career Hub, and how can you can join the fastest growing food business community in the country.
SAY THANKS | |||
| Navigating a career in food product development with Michael Sharp, Director of Research and Analytics at the Heartland Food Products Group | Ep. 94 | 07 Aug 2024 | 00:52:48 | |
Michael Sharp is the director of research and analytics at the Heartland Food Products Group. The Heartland Food Products Group is a global leader in making low-calorie sweeteners and liquid water enhancers. It is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, and makes Splenda Sweeteners. Michael has over 13 years of experience in research and development, leading new products from concept to commercialization. He graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor's degree in food science and a master's degree from Ohio State University. 🔍 Episode Highlights: Michael's / LinkedIn TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction
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SPONSORS Canadian Food Innovation Network: Check out CFIN's Career Hub to learn more about CFIN's free membership, their Food Innovator Career Hub, and how can you can join the fastest growing food business community in the country.
SAY THANKS | |||
| Shaping Food Safety Policy with Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., Founder of Food Safety Strategy | Ep. 93 | 25 Jul 2024 | 00:46:15 | |
Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., founder of Food Safety Strategy and former Chief Food Safety & Regulatory Officer at the International Fresh Produce Association. She is a food microbiologist by background and has worked in the Washington, DC, area for over 20 years, bringing the scientific perspective to food safety leadership positions within the grocery manufacturers association. She held previous food safety leadership positions with the Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Institute of Food Technologists, where she led the FDA FSMA traceability pilots. 🔍 Episode Highlights:
Jennifers's / Website/ LinkedIn TIMESTAMPS (0:00) Introduction (1:30) Jennifer introduces herself (5:20) Jobs in food safety policy (10:44) Science and government policy (14:10) How to practice communicating science (16:25) Understanding people's points of view (20:13) Food produce food safety (24:31) Food safety of sprouts (28:15) Technology's role on food safety for the future (33:00) How to learn about data science (37:22) Soft skills needed by food safety professionals (44:34) Outro
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| Solving R&D problems with Davis Jaeger, R&D Leader, Culinary Expert and Food Scientist | Ep. 92 | 17 Jul 2024 | 00:56:36 | |
Davis Jaeger is a R&D Leader, Culinary Expert and Food Scientist. He has had a winding career path up until this point. Davis began working in the hospitality industry at the young age of 14, starting as a busboy. However, his career took a turn when he transitioned to the kitchen after one of the chefs resigned and another chef invited him to join the kitchen staff. That's how he ended up in the culinary science program at Clemson University. Since then, his passion for food science has only grown, and he has not regretted his decision for a moment. 🔍 Episode Highlights: ▪ Challenges and failures Davis faced along the way ▪ The necessity of gaining manufacturing plant experience ▪ The difficulties of collaboration in research ▪ The skill of communicating technical details to non-technical stakeholders ▪ Asking good questions to get a problem solved Davis's / Instagram / LinkedIn TIMESTAMPS (0:00) - Introduction (2:30) - Davis's career journey (16:50) - Switching between R&D expertise (meat to confectionery) (24:15) - Imporance of manufacturing plant experience (34:39) - How to ask questions in the workplace (36:56) - How to demonstrate you can solve problems in an interview (40:14) - Davis talks about his failures and challenges in the workplace (52:20) Skills important to individuals looking to go into R&D (55:40) Outro
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SPONSORS CareersNow! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNow.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development.
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| From Mechanical Design to Project Engineer Building Food Safety Equipment with Mohammad Kathawala, Senior Project Engineer at Agri-Neo (#118) | 03 Jan 2026 | 01:01:41 | |
Mohammad Kathawala, a senior project engineer at Agri-Neo, explains what it takes to work in food safety engineering. He describes how project engineers translate technology into systems that work in real food processing environments, often across global operations. Mohammad shares how his engineering background led him into the food industry, what his role looks like day to day, and why communication and continuous improvement matter as much as technical skill. The conversation also covers how food safety technology is changing and what students and early-career engineers should know before entering the field. --- --- Explore food industry careers with CareersNOW!: https://careersnow.ca/
CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNOW.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development. CareersNOW! - What can you do with an Engineering Degree? --- TIMESTAMPS (00:00) Introduction to Food Safety Engineering -- 📙 Career Guides --- CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 💼 Mohammad Kathawala LinkedIn | |||
| Leading Collaboration in Food Nutrition Science Research with Matthew Teegarden, Ph.D. | Ep. 91 | 04 Jul 2024 | 00:51:02 | |
On today's episode we are talking about what a senior researcher does, the difficulties of collaboration in research and figuring out what you enjoy. Matthew Teesgarden Ph.D., Senior Researcher and his role is providing strategic leadership for all scientific operations and communications in the Ohio States Foods for Health research initiative. FFH is focused on helping researchers work collaboratively to discover new ways in which food can enhance health. Matt completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Food Science at The Ohio State. Sponsorship
Timestamps (0:00) Introduction (2:22) Matt's career journey (6:48) Matt explains what a senior researcher does (12:08) Ohio State's Food for Health Initiative (22:24) Sponsor: Canadian Food Inovation Network (23:00) How Matt learns about different disciplines (27:30) Attending talks as a student (31:10) Why Matt loves science communication (43:56) How to figure out if you enjoy graduate science (47:16) Matt's experience with IFT Links Ohio State Foods for Health Research Initiative The Lancet Study on Diet and Health Show Notes | |||
| Find your "why" in your career with Surria Fadel, Co-Founder of Cedar Valley | Ep. 90 | 21 Jun 2024 | 00:51:58 | |
On today's episode we are talking about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, what's it like working in a small business and finding your "why". Surria Fadel, is the Co-Founder of Cedar Valley Selections. Cedar Valley Selections is not your average pita chip company. They are creating high-quality authentic pita chips in a variety of different flavours. Surria graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and has spent several years in the fitness industry in many roles including being a Personal Trainer, Coach, Fitness Instructor, and Pain Management Therapist. She started Cedar Valley Selections with her son Ameen after receiving a small grant from his school board and wanted to share his mothers' famous Fattoush Salad recipe. Timestamps (0:00) Introduction (2:19) Cedar Valley origins (7:38) Where Ameen's entrepreneurship spirit came from (12:05) Why Surria decided to commit to Cedar Valley (13:00) What drives Surria (21:47) Sponsor: CareersNow! (22:14) Experience running a manufacturing facility (33:54) What it was like being on Dragon's Den (40:30) Where Surria looks for guidance (47:36) Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs Links
MORE COOL THINGS TO CHECK OUT 📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks) 📜 Get Career Advice (Blog) CONNECT SPONSORS CareersNow! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario's food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNow.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development. SAY THANKS 💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
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| Kickstarting your food safety career with Tania, Co-Founder and Director of Assured Food Safety Consulting | Ep. 89 | 05 Jun 2024 | 00:57:10 | |
On today's episode, we discuss food safety consulting, essential skills for food safety professionals, and how volunteering can help you network. Tania is the Co-Founder and Director of Assured Food Safety Consulting. She is here to offer guidance on navigating the world of food safety careers. Tania has a Master's degree in food science and is a proud Centennial College Biotechnology alumni. She has worked in food safety within the government and the food industry. Tania is passionate about giving back to the student community and helping companies improve their food safety. Timestamps (0:00) Introduction Links
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SPONSORS Canadian Food Innovation Network: CFIN's Food Innovation Career Hub is a one-stop shop for food professionals, students, and employers. This community is home to anyone interested in a career in food tech or actively seeking talented employees for their food business. The Food Innovator Career Hub lets you search job openings, access original content, and connect with a growing community of food professionals and mentors. SAY THANKS | |||
| Empowering food professionals for global food system transformation with Kaan Demiryürek, R&D Director for Sustainable Packaging at PepsiCo | Ep 88 | 24 Apr 2024 | 00:45:55 | |
On today's episde we are talking about the Kaan's career journey, his book "Food for Thought" and philosophy. About Kaan Demiryürek Kaan Demiryürek is the Research and Development Director for Sustainable Packaging at PepsiCo. Pepsico products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo's food portfolio includes products such as Lay's, Doritos, Cheetos, Gatorade, Pepsi-Cola, Mountain Dew, Quaker, and SodaStream. Kaan has over two decades of career experience working at PepsiCo in food science, engineering and R&D spanning multiple geographies. Kaan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Food Engineering from the Middle East Technical University and His first role at Pepsico was as an R&D intern in Turkey. Since then he has worked in various business units in Europe (Turkey, Balkans, and East Europe) and North America across different foods categories. Before his current role in sustainable packaging Kaan led the R&D team for Potato Chips for North America. Links
Timestamps (0:00) Introduction (1:52) Kaan introduces himself and career history (5:36) Difference between food engineering and science (7:00) Why Kaan transitioned to sustainable packaging (12:52) Discussion about "Food for Thought" Book (20:00) Philosophy and R&D (25:13) Sponsor: CareersNow! (30:17) Importance of curiosity (34:55) Prioritization in work (42:00) Advice for inspiring food professionals (45:39) Outro
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