The Taste Podcast presents an engaging episode featuring our host Robert Strik and his guest Frank Hofman, a food engineer and product developer from Astra Sweets NV in Belgium. With a combined experience of 75 years, they delve into the intricate world of taste and technology. Frank's expertise lies in developing starch-moulded confectionery, with a focus on gelatin replacement, clean label products, and encapsulated ingredients.

The conversation explores challenges in the candy industry, particularly concerning animal-derived components like gelatin. Frank shares his efforts to create affordable, animal-free candies while addressing ethical and dietary concerns. They discuss the technical complexities of gelatin alternatives and efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of candy production.

Inspired by changing consumer preferences, Frank aims to develop inclusive and sustainable candy options. They discuss alternatives to gelatin and animal-free products, highlighting the importance of innovation and environmental considerations. The episode concludes with a call to stay updated on further insights and developments.

Overall, this Taste Podcast episode showcases the importance of adapting to market trends, meeting consumer demands, and embracing innovation in the food industry.

Guest: Frank Hofman

Want to know more? 

Follow the links below 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-hofman-01570714/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/astra-sweets/ 

https://www.astrasweets.com/productie/duurzaamheid/

Robert Strik

Passion for taste has a name, and that name is Robert Strik. His discoveries in the field of taste experience are legendary, with forty years of pioneering work in the food industry to prove it. His wealth of experience and boundless flow of taste and flavour ideas form the base stock of this podcast series.

for more updates follow us on LinkedIn

Robert Strik and Piet Brink have a long, shared history in the world of taste and flavour, as can be heard in this amusing episode of TheTastePodcast. As they serve up a course of flavour and taste anecdotes, both gentlemen clearly enjoy reminiscing about and sharing their flavour secrets. To the wider public, Piet Brink is known as the man who made thousands of ‘bitterballen’ (typical Dutch bar snacks) at the Holland Heineken House during the Sochi Winter Olympics. Consequently, he knows all about crispiness and croquettes. By all accounts, this episode is one to savour.

Guest: Piet Brink, specialist in croquettes and ‘bitterballen’ (popular Dutch bar snacks).

https://www.deondernemer.nl/actueel/kroketkoning-piet-brink-bitterballen-yeongchang~277572
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPml965lUwc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Uh9g3Ybh5U

Robert Strik
Passion for taste has a name, and that name is Robert Strik. His discoveries in the field of taste experience are legendary, with forty years of pioneering work in the food industry to prove it. His wealth of experience and boundless flow of taste and flavour ideas form the base stock of this podcast series.

for more updates follow us on LinkedIn

In this episode of TheTastePodcast, Merel Rijnen, food technologist and owner of Food Dynamics, sits down to chat with Robert Strik. Merel talks about her passion for food development and how she founded her company Food Dynamics. Once upon a time, Merel and Robert had intended to start a company together. They cast their minds back to that plan. Merel also gives listeners a glimpse into her creative process that she calls ‘the art of tinkering’. After all, developing new flavours is a process of trial and error, of trying, tasting, and starting again. The process doesn’t stop until you find the best flavour. Merel’s innovative and passionate approach is an inspiration to many.

Guest: Merel Rijnen, food technologist and owner of Food Dynamics

Follow Merel Rijnen on:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fooddynamics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC59N100A2Xl__B-JnaXklYw/featured?view_as=subscriber
https://www.instagram.com/food_dynamics_dongen/
https://www.food-dynamics.nl/

Robert Strik
Passion for taste has a name, and that name is Robert Strik. His discoveries in the field of taste experience are legendary, with forty years of pioneering work in the food industry to prove it. His wealth of experience and boundless flow of taste and flavour ideas form the base stock of this podcast series.

UK Narrator: Ewan Cameron

for more updates follow us on LinkedIn

Behind The Taste Podcast microphone in this episode is Wilco Vermeer, co-founder of Kenyan company NatureLock Foods. This company combats food waste across Africa by preserving fresh produce naturally right at the source, making it tasty, nutritious, and affordable for all. They call it ‘creating food at the source’. This is very important for African farmers: it maximizes the use of their produce, increases their income, and provides a healthy alternative to less healthy food. Wilco explains the NatureLock process – using local staple foods to retain flavour and nutritional value – to Robert Strik, who is listening to the chat. This podcast is also full of valuable tips on how consumers can change their food choices to help preserve the environment.

https://naturelockfoods.com/
https://www.foodbusinessafrica.com/naturelock-offering-kenyans-homely-nutritious-dishes-whipped-up-in-minutes/
https://magazines.rijksoverheid.nl/lnv/agrospecials/2021/01/afrika

Robert Strik
Passion for taste has a name, and that name is Robert Strik. His discoveries in the field of taste experience are legendary, with forty years of pioneering work in the food industry to prove it. His wealth of experience and boundless flow of taste and flavour ideas form the base stock of this podcast series.

for more updates follow us on LinkedIn

Get ready to Discover the secret of Tanzanian vanilla!

Robert Strik chats with Ronald ter Veer, entrepreneur at Ronald ter Veer Human Development and Juan Guardado, co-founder and managing director of Natural Extracts Industries ltd in Moshi, Tanzania. Under Juan’s inspiring leadership, a number of farmers and women’s groups produce vanilla around Mount Kilimanjaro – experts such as Ronald say it’s the tastiest around. The projects NEI ltd initiates and facilitates provide work, income, and quality of life for people living in the region. Listen to this podcast and feel Juan Guardado’s passion for people and products. This episode will definitely leave an impression on you.

Don't miss out!

Guests: 
Juan Guardado, co-founder and managing director of Natural Extracts Industries ltd, Tanzania 
Ronald ter Veer, Entrepreneur at Ronald ter Veer Human Development.

Host:
Robert Strik
Passion for taste has a name, and that name is Robert Strik. His discoveries in the field of taste experience are legendary, with forty years of pioneering work in the food industry to prove it. His wealth of experience and boundless flow of taste and flavour ideas form the base stock of this podcast series.

for more updates follow us on LinkedIn

The time has finally come: our first episode is going live!
After hours of hard work and dedication, we are ready to treat you to an unforgettable
listening experience. Mark your calendars: August 22nd 2023, at 12:00 PM noon.
It's going to be a milestone in the world of podcasts!

This is a sneak peek of what awaits you. We had an incredible time creating this podcast for you, and we hope you'll enjoy it just as much!

Don't miss out! 

for more updates follow us on LinkedIn

The Taste Podcast coming soon.. 
Taste you can hear! 

About this podcast

In the first episode of the podcast series ‘Taste you can hear’, Robert Strik and his table companions talk about their plans to create podcasts for listeners who are keen to lift the lid on the secrets behind taste. They chat with people who have dedicated their lives to developing, producing, and processing flavourings. From popular bar snacks to vanilla, from North Holland to Tanzania. Tune in to hear more about the upcoming episodes in this podcast series, as told by these flavour fanatics.

Robert Strik
Passion for taste has a name, and that name is Robert Strik. His discoveries in the field of taste experience are legendary, with forty years of pioneering work in the food industry to prove it. His wealth of experience and boundless flow of taste and flavour ideas form the base stock of this podcast series.

for more updates follow us on LinkedIn