On episode 54 of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Brittany Towers Lewis, Senior Manager of Product Development at Vital Proteins and theblackfoodscientist.

On this episode Brittany and Veronica talked about:

🎤 How Brittany got into the field of food science

🎤 Some of the things she does as senior product developer

🎤 Why she started sharing food science information as theblackfoodscientist

🎤 Important habits/rituals in her day

🎤 Hew experiences working on Gatorade products

🎤Why she decided to become a certified culinary scientist

👇 Check out the full episode below 👇

http://ow.ly/31Me50KGl5c

#culinaryscience #foodscience #foodpodcast #foodsciencepodcast #productdevelopment

On episode 53 of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Francisco Pergola, Co-Founder & CEO at Cheddies. Cheddies are a high protein, low sugar cracker made with no artificial ingredients or preservatives that are light, crispy, cheesy ,made wit real cheddar cheese and of course delicous!

On this episode Francisco and Veronica talked about:

• Francisco's journey as he and his brother Tomas created Cheedies
• Why Cheddies is moving into the regenerative farming space
• Using the United States first certified regenerative organic cheddar
• Funny stories along their entrepenurial journey's
• Francisco's authentic appoach to buisness

Now enough with that introduction - let's get on with the show.

Show Notes

https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-53

On episode 52 of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Laurie Nicol, CareersNow! Meat & Poultry Sector Lead. CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's workforce development initiative for Ontario's vibrant and growing food and beverage manufacturing industry.

On this episode Laurie and Veronica talked about:

• The CareersNow! iniative
• Ontario's Meat & Poultry Sector
• How Laurie got into the industry
• Why the industry is a good place to work
• General views on the industry as a whole including the idea of craftsmanship and loving what you do

Now enough with that introduction - let's get on with the show.

Show Notes

https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-52

On episode 51 of the FoodGrads Podcast Veronica interviewed Esther Ijiwade, HACCP Coordinator at Sofina Foods. Sofina Foods is a Canadian company dedicated to providing great-tasting, high-quality food products for consumers. Their offerings include pork, beef, fish, turkey and chicken products with the brand offerings like Cuddy, Lilydale, Janes, Mastro, Gletcher's and Vienna.

In this episode Esther and Veronica talked about:

🎙 What at Esther does as a HACCP Coordinator 🎙 The habits she does to succeed at her role 🎙 Her transition from graduate degree to work foce 🎙 Where Esther's passion for the meat industry comes from

🎙 Her advice for those looking to go into the meat indsutry

Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/podcast-ep-51

On episode 50 Veronica interviews Nicole Gallace, Talent Solutions Manager at FoodGrads/De Lacy Recruitment North America. FoodGrads is there to support students and new graduates looking to start their careers in the food and beverage industry.

In this episode Nicole and Veronica talked about:

🎙 What does a recruiter do 🎙 Catching up with the changes FoodGrads has underwent since the start of the podcast 🎙 How Nicole became a recruiter 🎙 How to deal with recruiters 🎙 FoodGrads connection with CareersInFood family 🎙 The future of FoodGrads

Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/podcast-ep-50

On episode 49 of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Tia Glave, Food Safety, Quality, & Regulatory Consultant and Co-founder Catalyst, LLC.

Catalyst LLC was created in 2021 by Tia Glave and Jill Stuber. Catalyst is a comprehensive and holistic coaching program for creating transformational change within people and organizations toward the ultimate food safety and quality culture. In this episode Tia talked to us about: 🟠 How she got into food safety with a chemical engineering degree

🟠 What is a sustainable food safety culture

🟠 Catalyst LLC and their unique approach to food safety

🟠 Her strong passion for championing black talent in food safety

🟠 Systems thinking and proven methods in food safety

🟠 How food safety can be fun 👇 Link below: 👇 https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-49

Welcome to episode 48 of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Tanguy Etoga, CEO & Founder at NORMEX inc. Normex Inc is a food safety software company that will make the expected bridge to overcome the problem of limited resources and help companies automate their Quality, Food Safety and Health & Safety tasks and operations. Today, several companies in North America have adopted NORMEX to maintain their food safety systems.

On episode Tanguy talked to us more about Normex Inc and how it came to be. Tanguy walked Veronica through his career journey and shared his story of where his passion for Operational Efficiency, Quality & Food Safety comes from. We spent a lot of time talking about leadership and what it looks like in food safety - leading by example, building trust, actively listening and figuring out how you can provide value. Tanguy is a great story teller giving first insights how he led working in a first role as quality assurance manager. If you are interested in a career in quality assurance and thinking about one day becoming a manager then you need to listen to this episode.

Show Notes

https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-48

On episode 47 of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Valerie Ivanova, R&D Nutrition Label Developer and Coordinator at Ventura Foods. Ventura Foods is a leading national manufacturer and marketer of branded and custom made shortenings, oils, dressings, sauces, margarines, culinary bases and pancoatings for the foodservice and retail industries.

In this episode Valerie told us more about her role at Ventra foods and how she approaches creating a nutritional label for a completed food product. What's interesting about Valerie's career journey so far was that she actually graduated at the time the COVID-19 was just emerging in Canada of March 2020.

Valerie was busy throughout her undergraduate degree at McGill university graduating with a double major and voluterring with student society so Veronica dug more into that decision of why she made that decision and how it helped her in the long run. We also had fun talking about her participation in the Snacks for Kids IFT competition and the really cool snack her team designed. Stay tuned if you want some insights into that process.

Show Notes

https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-episode-47

On episode 46 of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Melissa Norem, Enterprise Director of Origination at Scoular. The Scoular company is an employee-owned $6B agribusiness leading the way since 1892. They buy, sell, store, handle and process grain and ingredients by leveraging their global networks and expertise in international trade and transportation.

In this episode Melissa talked to us about her career journey as 20-year veteran in the agricultural industry with roles which have include trading, supply-chain management and business development. We learned more about about Scoular and how they are supporting farmers and communities with their focused approach on relationships and innovative supply chain solutions.

Melissa allowed Veronica to pick her brain on some on what skills are important in her role particularly communication. They also divided into the topic about getting into the agricultural industry even if you have no background in the field. Finally, Melissa also taught me about grain production and what it looks like getting from seed to plate.

Show Notes

https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-46

On episode 45 of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Vasudha Sabharwal, a food safety professional working in the meat industry. Vasudha is an individual with a rich career in working the meat industry and other sectors of the industry. She also has a Master's Degree in Bioresource Engineering for Integrated Food and Bioprocessing at McGill University.

In this episode Vasudha really spent the time walking Veronica through her career journey talking about each role along the way and what it entails. She talked about what she did in the role and what it felt like working as part of a team. Veronica picked her brain about the different skills are needed in the industry and how she was able to specifically develop them. She also broke down what working in a meat industrial plant is really like and cleared up so misconceptions someone might have. Through out the episode Vaushuda shared a lot of wisdom that students should really take. You can tell that it is coming comes from experiences, career growth and even mistakes Vasuhdha herself has made.

Show Notes