That's A Food Job!
That's A Food Job! explores the wide range of careers available in the food industry. Host Veronica Hislop interviews professionals across the food processing sector, from food scientists and farmers to plant managers, programmers, food safety technicians, and supply chain managers. Each guest shares what their role involves, why they chose it, and how they contribute to the world of food. The podcast is aimed at students, early-career professionals, and industry veterans looking for career insights and guidance. It celebrates the people working in food and shows that there is a career for everyone in the field.
Episodes
President/Founder of Women in Food Safety and Sr. Food Safety & Quality Advisor with Melody Yu
Melody Yu is the President and Founder of Women in Food Safety, a nonprofit community supporting female food safety professionals, and she also runs her own food safety consulting business, MarsMel LLC. Note at 7:20 Melody meant to say 7 principles and 12 steps --- Shownotes --- TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Nothing You Do Is Wasted 00:28 – Welcome Back, Melody 01:26 – Life Since Round One 03:38 – Going Al
Manager of Features and Education of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair with Paige Mawson
Paige Mawson is Manager of Features and Education at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, a 104-year-old event that draws around 300,000 visitors annually to downtown Toronto. In this episode, Paige reveals how one of Canada's most iconic events is bridging city life and rural tradition through unforgettable experiences, hands-on learning, and storytelling that sparks curiosity. Discover how she le
Quality Assurance and Regulatory Manager and Consultant, Aparajhitha Sudarsan
Aparajhitha Sudarshan is a Quality and Regulatory Manager in pet food manufacturing and the founder of Food Strategy Consulting, where she helps small and medium food businesses with compliance, training, and food safety systems. In today's episode, we talk about the 80/20 rule of food safety leadership, how to build soft skills nobody teaches you in school, and practical ways students can network
Academic Director and Founder of Toronto Metropolitan University's Diversity Institute, Dr. Wendy Cukier
Dr. Wendy Cukier is Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the Ted Rogers School of Management and Founder of the Diversity Institute, a research centre with 80 staff and hubs across the country studying skills, technology, and inclusion. In today's episode, we talk about why agriculture rarely comes up in conversations about entrepreneurship, the succession crisis facing Canadian farms
Rainmaker and Co-Founder with Jake Karls, Mid-Day Squares
Jake Karls is Co-Founder and Chief Rainmaker at Midday Squares, a Better-For-You chocolate and snacking brand now sold in over 10,000 stores across North America. In today's episode, we talk about what it actually looks like to build a career on relationships instead of resumes, how to network without an agenda, and why your story matters more than you think, even if you don't feel like you have o
Plant Manager with Tony Wong, 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters
Tony Wong is the Plant Manager at 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters, a specialty coffee roastery in Vancouver that supplies retail chains, independent cafes, and a growing e-commerce operation across Canada. In this episode, we talk about what plant management actually looks like in a food and beverage manufacturing setting, how speciality coffee is actually made and how a food science background in q
Senior Human Resources Manager with Olga Cenic, Voortman Bakery | HR Mini-series
Veronica Hislop sits down with Olga Cenic, HR Manager at Voortman Bakery, to talk resumes, interviews, mentorship, and the overlooked ways students can break into food manufacturing - all in part three of FoodGrads' HR mini series! Olga Cenic is the HR Manager at Voortman Bakery - a 75-year-old cookie and wafer manufacturer in Burlington, Ontario, and home to the number one sugar-free wafer in Nor
VP of People and Culture with Steve MacIntyre, Fine Choice Foods | HR Mini-series
This is part two of FoodGrads' three-part HR miniseries, built for students entering the food and beverage industry with support from De Lacy Executive Recruitment. In this episode, we get into what hiring managers actually do when they open your resume - and what happens in those first five to seven seconds that determines whether you make the pile or not. Steve McIntyre is the Vice President of
Talent Aquisition Manager with Nicolas Pretorius, High Liner Foods | HR Mini-series
In episode one of our HR-Miniseries we are talking about what hiring managers actually look for, how to approach resumes and interviews, and realistic ways that students can build experience and momentum as they start their careers. Nicolas Pretorius is Talent Acquisition Manager at Highliner Foods, one of North America's leading processors of frozen, added-value seafood. In this conversation, you
Confectionery Specialist with Enea Lelaj, Tilray Brands
Enea Lelaj is a Confectionery Specialist at Tilray Brands, working at the intersection of food science, product development, and one of Canada's fastest‑changing industries. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Enea shares how his path into food science was anything but planned. Starting in chemistry at Toronto Metropolitan University, he followed curiosity into a food research lab and discove
President with Domenique Mastronardi, Beck's Bone Broth
Domenique Mastronardi is President of Beck's Bone Broth, a Canadian food startup bringing bone broth-based lattes to market — blending comfort, wellness, and innovation for retailers across Canada. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Domenique shares her journey from engineering student to co-leading one of Canada's most creative emerging food startups. She opens up about what entrepreneurshi
Continuous Improvement Manager with Talha Rashid, Handi Foods Ltd.
Talha Rashid is a Continuous Improvement Manager at Handi Foods Ltd., a Canadian food manufacturer specializing in crackers and better‑for‑you snack products supplied to major retailers across North America. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Talha breaks down what a continuous improvement career looks like in food manufacturing and how data, teamwork, and problem‑solving drive real change on
Careers in Food and Beverage (#121.5)
In this special solo episode, Veronica breaks down something that often gets overlooked — what the food and beverage processing industry actually is, and just how many career paths exist within it. If you've ever stood in a grocery store aisle and wondered how all those products got there, this one's for you! --- CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario's multi‑year workforce development initia
Co-Founder & Sourcing Director with Salma Fotovat, Riverside Natural Foods (MadeGood)
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 She shares her insights on the complexities of product development in the dairy industry. She discusses the importance of collaboration, the challenges of optimizing established product
Product Development and Commercialization Manager with Pratistha Banerjee, Darigold
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.
Product Development Specialist with Leslie Herbas, Ascona Foods
What does a Product Development Specialist actually do in meat manufacturing? Leslie Herbas Marañon is a Product Development Specialist at Ascona Food Group, a global supplier of customized dry blends, edible films, and casings for the meat industry. With over 10 years across production, quality management, and R&D in Bolivia and Canada, she brings a hands-on, formulation-first approach to every p
Senior Project Engineer at Agri-Neo | Mohammad Kathawala
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 communica
Skills Every Food Industry Job Seeker Needs with Jayana Kaiprath, Talent Acquisition Manager, Give & Go Prepared Foods (#117)
Explore food industry careers with CareersNOW!: https://careersnow.ca/ Jayana Kaiprath is the Talent Acquisition Manager at Give & Go Prepared Foods, helping students and professionals land their next opportunity in the food industry. Give & Go Prepared Foods, part of the Mondelēz family of brands, makes iconic treats like two-bite® brownies and supports employee growth at every stage of their car
Mastering Stage-Gate and Beyond with Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas, Food Industry Consultants and Podcast Hosts (#116)
Lara Tiro is the founder of Rebel CPG, where she helps food entrepreneurs take products from kitchen concepts to retail shelves. She brings deep experience in product development and project management, guiding clients through every stage of innovation to ensure ideas become market-ready products. Christine Farkas is the founder of IHeartFood and co-host of the podcast Munching on Molecules. With
Scaling Chef Craft into Food Products with Kaylah Farina, Product Development Manager at Sigma US (#115)
Kaylah Farina is the Product Development Manager at Sigma US, where she leads innovation projects for Bar-S Foods Co. She develops a wide range of meat products for retail and foodservice, including high-protein snacks and bold new concepts like a chili cheese dog burrito, which she describes as a mess-free chili dog on the go. Before moving into product development, Kaylah trained and worked as a
Bridging Academia and Industry with Nataly Lopez Baron, Manager of the Guelph Food Innovation Centre (GFIC) (#114)
Nataly Lopez Baron is the Manager of the Guelph Food Innovation Centre (GFIC), an applied research centre that partners with food businesses to transform challenges into practical solutions through research, product development, and pilot plant testing. Originally from Colombia, Nataly earned her undergraduate and master's degrees before moving to Canada to complete a PhD in Food Science and Techn
Delving into the Craft of Beer Making with Santiago Ampudia Vasquez, Brewer at Blackburn Brewhouse and Assistant Professor at Niagara College (#113)
Santiago Ampudia Vasquez is a brewer at Blackburn Brewhouse and Assistant Professor at Niagara College. Blackburn Brewhouse, based in Niagara Falls, produces a wide range of craft beers—from lagers and pale ales to specialty brews, seltzers, and ciders. Santiago holds a Master of Science and previously taught at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. After immigrating to Canada, he changed p
Exploring Opportunities in Food Science with Prairva (Summer) Plepalakon, UC Davis Food Science and Technology Graduate (#112)
Prairva Plepalakon, also known as "Summer," is a recent Food Science and Technology graduate from the University of California, Davis, one of the most respected food science programs in the world. UC Davis has a big reputation in food science, pairing strong academic programs with deep industry and research networks. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Summer shares what it's like to study fo
Supporting People and Culture in Ag with Leslie Nienkark, HR Business Partner at KWS Group (#111)
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
Inside Food Product Development with Louisa Bachman, Food Scientist at KIND Snacks (#110)
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 share
Inside Food Safety Leadership with Marin Pavlic, Director of QA Programs & Compliance at Sofina Food (#109)
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.
Building AI for Food Scientists with Thomas Hayes, Co-Founder at Agilitas (#108)
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.
The future of CPG packaging with Tyler de Sousa, Co-Founder at Circulr (#107)
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
Turning a food science degree into a sales career with Felicia Sia, account manager at Dempsey Corporation (#106)
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 ing
Building relationships: The art of sales in the food equipment industry with National Business Development & Sales Manager, Rafal Rusiniak at Handtmann Canada Limited(#105)
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 ins
Implementing lean manufacturing in food production with COO, Brian Allaway at Made with Local (#104)
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, shari
Building a Sustainable Food Future with Sustinability Manager, Berklee Welsh at Simple Mills (#103)
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 mo
Preventing Listeria Outbreaks with science and entrepreneurship with Laurent Dallaire, CEO and Co-founder of Innodal
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 t
Turning insights into actionable strategies with Matt Thell, Global Strategy & Innovation Leader at General Mills Inc. (#101)
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 s
Serving up 100 episodes: Our Story of Growth and Inspiration with Sydney Mohr and Nicole Gallace (#100)
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 wante
Environmental Operations Coordinator at Susgrainable - Joseph Lyons (#99)
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 & Logisti
Adapting to Change in Food Engineering and Navigating Industry Shifts with Associate Professor Seamus Higgins | Ep. 97
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 fo
How to advocate for Ontario's 28,000 Grain Farmers as a Market Development & Sustainability Manager with Dana Dickerson | Ep. 97
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: Surprising facts about Ontario grain production The tech transforming modern agricult
What Being a Food Science PhD is Really Like with AJ Taylor, Ph.D. is a Scientist II, Innovation at McCormick FONA | Ep. 96
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 resu
Innovations in Food Safety: Cold Plasma Science with Brendan Niemira,PhD, Lead Scientist at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service | Ep. 95
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, irr
Navigating a career in food product development with Michael Sharp, Director of Research and Analytics at the Heartland Food Products Group | Ep. 94
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 commercial
Shaping Food Safety Policy with Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., Founder of Food Safety Strategy | Ep. 93
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 foo
Solving R&D problems with Davis Jaeger, R&D Leader, Culinary Expert and Food Scientist | Ep. 92
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
Leading Collaboration in Food Nutrition Science Research with Matthew Teegarden, Ph.D. | Ep. 91
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 collabo
Find your "why" in your career with Surria Fadel, Co-Founder of Cedar Valley | Ep. 90
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
Kickstarting your food safety career with Tania, Co-Founder and Director of Assured Food Safety Consulting | Ep. 89
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
Empowering food professionals for global food system transformation with Kaan Demiryürek, R&D Director for Sustainable Packaging at PepsiCo | Ep 88
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 inclu
Communicating Canadian food sector innovation and growth with Jamil Karim, Director of Communications at the Canadian Food Innovation Network | Ep. 87
On today's episode we are talking about the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN), CFIN's career resource library, Jamil's career story and cool innovation happening in Canada. Our guest today is Jamil Karim, Director of Communications for CFIN. CFIN helps to fund transformative foodtech projects, stimulate collaboration, and foster a growing community of food and beverage professionals. They
Spilling the tea with William (Billy) Dietz, Co-Founder and Consultant at BDH Consultants and Author | Ep. 88
On today's episode we are talking about buliding a career journey into the tea industry, the differences about blended and single orgin teas, fostering a sense of continuous learning and problem-solving techniques which are pivotal for his consulting pursuits in the tea industry and advice for those looking to go into the tea industry. Our guest today is William (Billy) Dietz, author or the book
Unwrapping the world of food packaging with Karen Aranha, Innovation & Commercialization Project Manager at The Hershey Company | Ep. 85
On today's episode, we discuss the fields of packaging and project management, lessons learned in managing teams, and the importance of staying curious. Our guest is Karen Aranha, Innovation & Commercialization Project Manager at The Hershey Company. Karen graduated with a Bachelors's Degree from the University of Mumbai in Packaging and Printing Technology. After gaining some experience in the fi
A deep dive into food inspections and graduate studies with Mariia Melnichuk, Food Processing Specialist Inspector at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency | Ep. 84
On today's episode we are talking about the ins and outs of food inspections, the art of communication in the workplace and balancing work a master's program. Our guest today is Mariia Melnychuk, Food Processing Specialist Inspector at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and MSc. student for Food Safety & Quality Assurance at University of Guelph. The CFIA is a key science-based federal reg
Growing food entrepreneurship in Canada with Mike McNeil, Vice President of Operations at Venturepark Labs | Ep. 83
On today's episode we are talking about entrepenurship, Canada's food landscape and how Venture Parks is helping to support small start-ups. Mike McNeil is vice president of operations at Venturepark Labs. Venturepark Labs is a non-profit supporting early-stage entrepreneurs in the food & wellness categories. It was initially founded in 2015 as District Ventures Accelerator and District Ventures
What does a product developer do in the wine and spirits sector do? with Esther Onguta, Ph.D., Product Development Specialist at The Absolut Company/Pernod Ricard | Ep. 82
On today's episode we are talking about what a product developer does in the wine and spirits sector, sensory science and the valuable skills developed during postgraduate education. Our guest today is Esther Onguta, a Toronto native passionate about food and cooking, is an expert in food, fermentation, and sensory science. She earned a BSc in Food Science from the University of Guelph, speciali
Harnessing the power of AI, sensors and engineering to reduce food waste and improve food safety with Harjeet Bajaj, President and CEO of Savourmetrics | Ep 81
On today's episode we are talking about innovation and artificial intelligence in the food industry, making an impact in the world and unique paths that you can take with an engineering degree. Our guest today is Harjeet Bajaj, President & CEO at Savormetrics. Savormetrics provides AI driven sensor devices to food and agriculture companies. Our devices perform real time, in situ QA/QC. Their pred
What do millwrights in the food manufacturing industry do with Nole Coutrouzas, VP & Business Representative for UBC Millwright Local 1916 | Ep 80
On today's episode we are talking about millwrights that work in the food manufacturing industry, how to become one and career progession as a millwright. Our guest today is Nole Coutrouzas, VP & Business Representative UBC Millwright Local 1916. The Millwright Regional Council (MRC) is composed of thirteen affiliated Local Unions of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (U
Beyond the Fear: Embracing Change and Perserverance with Mitch Jacobson P.Eng., CEO of Reviita Energy Tea
In today's episode, we discuss entrepreneurship, sharing your story on social media and perseverance. Our guest today is Mitch Jacobson, Mitch Jacobsen, CEO of Rviita Energy Tea. Rviita Energy Tea is a clean pick-me-up drink made with caffeine from tea, organic honey, and vitamins, packed in a low carbon footprint, recyclable beverage pouches. Rviita is now a company centered around inspiring ot
Embracing Servant Leadership in Food Processing with Gavin Johnston, Plant Manager at Veg Pro International Inc. and Owner of Redpath Strategies | Ep 78
On today's episode, we are talking about what a food processing plant manager does, servant leadership and transitioning into leadership position as a young person. Our guest is Gavin Johnston, Plant Manager at Veg Pro International Inc and Owner of Redpath Strategies. Vegpro International Inc. is a recognized leader in the innovative farming and processing of lettuce and vegetables. Th
Becoming a Master of All Trades and Finding Solutions with Neha Mehta, Food Safety Quality Assurance Compliance Coordinator/Supervisor at Maple Leaf Foods Inc. | Ep 77
On today's episode we are talking about growing a career in food safety,what a day in the life of a FSQA Coordinator/Supervisor looks like and skills recommended to do well in food safety. Our guest today is Neha Mehta, Food Safety Quality Assurance Compliance Coordinator/Supervisor at Maple Leaf Foods. Maple Leaf Foods is leading consumer protein company, making high-quality, innovative products
The Power of Story-Telling when Creating a Circular Economy with Rebecca Bradley, Chief Marketing Officer at Terra Bioindustries | Ep 76
Rebecca Bradley is the Chief Marketing Officer at Terra Bioindustries . Terra Bioindustries is a Canada based start-up helping to create a more circular economy with existing supply chain. They make highly sustainable products for the food, fermentation and chemical waste industries all while lowering food waste! Rebecca graduated from the University of Guelph in their Biology/Biological Scien
Building your Dietitian Toolbox by Trying New Things with Jasmine Kwok, RD, Registered Dietitian | Ep 75
In today's episode we are learning about what a dietician is, the different areas that they can work in, the difficulties of finding a role in your field after graduation and food philosophies. Our guest today is Jasmine Kwok, RD. Jasmine is a registered dietitian who is enthusiastic about regulatory affairs and nutrition promotion in retail grocery. She has completed her mandatory Dietetic Intern
What's it like being a food auditor and participating in a food audit with Gordon Hayburn, Vice President of Food Safety and Quality at Trophy Foods Inc. | Ep 74
We are covering what's it like to be a food auditor, what it's like being a part of a food audit, how audits are helpful to organizations and the different types. But more importantly, we are talking about building a career in food safety, obtaining training, and how to stand out amongst the crowd when you are going to an interview. Our guest today is Gordon Hayburn, Vice President of Food Sa
Defining and cultivating innovation and creativity with Michelle Brisebois, Senior Marketing Strategist and Founder of Textrix Consulting Ltd. | Ep 73
We are covering finding a career that matches your passions, cultivating innovation, navigating your career in an age of change and the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN). Our guest today is Michelle Brisebois, Senior Marketing Strategist and Founder of Textrix Consulting Ltd. Textrix has start-ups define marketing strategy, mid size companies boost their SEO through engaging and optimize
Taking Your Food Product Development Career to the Next Level with Sheila Jones PMP - Business Consultant, Coach and Owner of Whicked Results | Ep 72
In today's episode, we are covering building a career in product development, building a leadership mindset, working with other departments and working in upper management positions. But we'll also go deeper on how to become a better food scientist. Our guest today is Sheila Jones PMP - Business Consultant, Coach and Owner of Whicked Results. Their focus is on growing business and people using
Embracing challenges when working towards your dream career with Liana Yee, Junior Product Specialist at Export Packers Company Limited | Ep 71
We are covering what does a product developer do, advice for students looking to go into product development and paying mind to allergens when to creating products but we'll also go deeper on how to embrace challenges to help you grow. Liana Yee is a Junior Product Specialist at Export Packers Company Limited. Export Packers is an international importer, exporter and distributor of food comm
Exploring a unique career path for an engineering graduate with Tanner Behrend, Manager of Funding and Expansion at Edgecom Energy | Ep 70
In this episode we are covering the importance of energy consumption in the food sector, unique career paths for engineering graduates and working as part of a team. But we'll also go deeper on how to attend tradeshows as a student. Tanner Behrand, Manager of Funding and Expansion at Edgecom Energy. Edgecom energy provides energy solutions for businesses in Canada. They help provide the data
Differences between Academia and Industry and transferring your graduate skills with Sripad Josei, Ph.D. Operations Manager at Arda Inc. | Ep 69
Graduating with a PhD can sometimes put you in a difficult position when trying to find a job when you graduate. You are highly educated but may not have the work expierence that employers are looking for. Sripad has made it to the other side and understands how both sides of the coin work. In this episode, Sripad talks about his PhD journey, what he does at Arda Inc. and the differences between
Behind the Scenes of Cheesemaking with Janice Groenheide, Cheesemaker and Owner of WalkaboutFarm | Ep 68
On this episode, we interview Janice Groenheide, Cheesemaker and Owner of WalkaboutFarm. Join us as we discuss cheesemaking, what a cheesemaker does and misconceptions about the profession. Janice Groenheide is a cheesemaker and owner of WalkAboutFarm. Janice owns WalkAboutFarm with her husband Rob where they currently milk sheep with the help of the Thunder Oak Cheese Farm to produce 3 diffe
Building Leadership and Community within Food Safety with Melody Ge, FSQA Director at StarKist Co. and Founder of the Women in Food Safety Group | Ep 67
On this episode, we interview Melody Ge, FSQA Director at StarKist Co. and Founder of the Women in Food Safety Group. Join us as we discuss what Melody's career journey, her approach to food safety and learn more about the Women in Food Safety Group. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-episode-67
How a Food Science PhD Prepares You for a Career in Consulting with Bryan Quoc Le (Ph.D) Food Scientist, Food Industry Consultant and Author | Ep 66
On this episode, we interview Bryan Quoc Le (Ph.D) Food Scientist, Food Industry Consultant and Author. Join us as we discuss what Bryan does as a consultant, completing a PhD and how he approaches experimental design. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-episode-66
Building a Career in Food Manufacturing: Lessons in Creating Your Own Path with Doug Alexander, Vice President of Sustainability and Government Relations at Belmont Meats | Ep 65
On this episode, we interview Doug Alexander, Vice President of Sustainability and Government Relations at Belmont Meats. Join us as we discuss Doug's career transitions, managing failures in a role and advice for those pursuing a career in the manufacturing side of the food industry. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-65
Insights into Academic Food Science Research with Abigail Thiel (Ph.D.), Postdoctoral Researcher at Wageningen University and Science Communicator | Ep 64
On this episode, we interview Abbey Thiel (Ph.D.) Postdoctoral Researcherat Wageningen University and Science Communicator. Join us as we discuss what a post-doctorate research does, what it is like doing a food science PhD and why she decided to start Abbey the Food Scientist. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-64
Navigating Career Uncertainties with Authenticity and Open Mindedness with Jared Kligerman, President of The Think Tank | Ep 63
On this episode, we interview Jared Kligerman, President of The Think Tank, a full-service communications agency supporting the food industry. Join us as we discuss The Think Tank, Toronto's small food buisness scene and advice for students on how to network authentically. Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-episode-63/
From Master's Degree to Career, Navigating the Food Safety Industry and Entrepreneurship with Marcus Washington, Business Development Manager at SGS and Co-Founder of Just4Bars | Ep 62
On this episode we are joined with Marcus Washington, Business Development Manager at SGS and Co-Founder of Just4Bars. Marcus shares his experience transitioning from a food safety master's degree to his full-time job at SGS. He also talks about his entrepenurial journey founding Just4Bars. We'll also discuss the challenges he faced along the way, the skills he's currently working on, and advic
From Farm to Table: How a Communications Communicator Bridges the Gap in the Food Industry with Sandra Ulewicz, Communications Coordinator at the Ontario Produce Marketing Agency | Ep 61
On this episode we are joined with Sandra Ulewicz, Communications Coordinator at the Ontario Produce Marketing Agency. Together we discuss what a communication coordinator does, misconceptions associated with Ontario produce industry, networking tips and a whole lot more! Show Notes https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podcast-ep-61/
Why you don't have to rush into a career if you are unsure with Lisa Cove, Founder, Packaging & Food Safety Consultant of Co-Motion Packaging Solutions | Ep 60
On episode 60 of the FoodGrads Podcast, we interviewed Lisa Cove, Founder, Packaging & Food Safety Consultant of Co-Motion Packaging Solutions. On this episode Lisa and Veronica talked about: 🎤 Co-Motion Packaging Solutions 🎤 How Lisa got into the packaging industry despite having a degree in Criminology from Wilfrid Laurier University 🎤 Why you don't have to rush into a career if you are unsure
Why it's important to get out of your comfort zone to shape your own life with Erica Rankin, Founder and CEO of Bro Dough | Ep 59
On episode 59 of the FoodGrads Podcast, we interviewed Erica Rankin, Founder and CEO of Bro Dough. On this episode, Erica and Veronica talked about: 🎤 How Brodough started from her time as a bodybuilder 🎤 What it is like being an introvert in the small business space 🎤 How she re-coops during her crazy entrepreneurial journey 🎤 What it is like being in a single person business
Transforming how food and agricultural companies harvest data for a better future with Pedro Medina, E.E.- Founder & Chief Data Farmer at Haystack Data Solutions | Ep 58
This week on the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Pedro Medina, E.E.- Founder & Chief Data Farmer at Haystack Data Solutions On this episode Pedro and Veronica talked about: 🎤 Haystack and what they aredoing to help food producers, processors and distibutors 🎤 Pedro's career journey 🎤 What is "data" and how it is used in the food industry 🎤 Why he believes the food industry is slow to adopt digita
Building communities and fighting climate change with urban agriculture with Ran Goel, CEO of Fresh City Farms | Ep 57
This week on the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Ran Goel, CEO of Fresh City Farms. On this episode Ran and Veronica talked about: 🎤 How Ran started Fresh City Farms in 2011 after leaving his job as a Wall Street Lawyer 🎤 What he does as a CEO 🎤 Why he believes that home delivery is the way to help fight climate change 🎤 Urban agriculture 🎤 His approach to change 👇 Che
Turning a side project into a full-time food industry data analyst career with Evonne Chan - Food, Grocery & Nutrition Data Analyst at Pinto | Ep 56
On episode 56 of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Evonne Chan, Food, Grocery & Nutrition Data Analyst at Pinto. On this episode Evonne and Veronica talked about: 🎤 How got Evonne became a data analyst 🎤 What a data analyst does 🎤 Her self-directed project helped her find a job after graduation 🎤 Skills she is currently trying to improve on write now 🎤 Data communication 🎤 Advice for those thin
Food industry best job interview tips! with Jobseeker Coach Jason Wilson's for CareersNOW! | Special
On this special episode of the FoodGrads Podcast we interviewed Jobseeker Coach Jason Wilson for CareersNow! On this episode Jason and Veronica talked about: 🎤 What to wear to a job interview 🎤 How to answer the question "tell us about yourself" 🎤 What do you look for in a first job 🎤 Why the food industry is recession proof 👇 Check out the full episode below 👇 https://foodgrads.com/foodgrads-podc
