The FoodGrads Podcast FoodGrads

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 connect the Canadian food and beverage ecosystem to new ideas, opportunities, and technologies to increase collaboration and position Canada as a global leader in food innovation.

Jamil Karim combines more than a decade of marketing and communications experience with a passion for helping people and companies tell their stories. He also has extensive experience working with industry, where he’s led media and community relations strategies for some of the country’s fastest growing tech companies. Additionally, Jamil is deeply committed to having a positive impact on his community.

Sponsorship
This podcast episode is sponsored by the Canadian Food Innovation. Check out CFIN’s Career Hub  code to learn more about CFIN's free membership, our Food Innovator Career Hub, and how can you can join the fastest growing food business community in the country. 

Timestamps
[0:00] Introduction
[1:43] Jamil’s career path in communications and public relations up until CFIN
[6:57] Skills required in communication roles
[14:26] About CFIN
[23:15] Food tech innovation and collaboration in Canada
[26:36] Green-tech definition
[28:37] CFIN’s career hub
[34:45] Jamil’s research process
[38:05] Canadian innovation trends
[41:27] Challenges of implementing innovation
[44:35] CFIN funded startups
[48:58] Advice for students looking to innovate
Links

Jamil Karim LinkedIn

CFIN’s Career Hub

CFIN’s YODL

Relocalized

Food Cycle Science

Jamil Karim’s Email
Find Jamil Karim Online
Show Notes
Website: FoodGrads.com/Jamil-Karim/
 
 

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 Spill the Tea. Billy has been in love with the tea industry since he first discovered the health benefits of tea back in high school. Billy has over 15 years of career knowledge. Which has amassed from his time as a tea blogger, a tea entrepreneurship, working in product development at DavidsTEA to currently being an independent tea consultant.
Sponsors
This episode of the podcast is supported by CareersNow! 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! 
Links
Coming soon! 
Find Billy Dietz Online
Show Notes
Website: FoodGrads.com/billy-dietz/

 

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 field she obtained a Master's Degree in Packaging Science from Rochester Institute of Technology. After graduating, she worked for the Packaging Corporation of America as a packaging engineer, developing and executing merchandising displays and corrugated packaging. Her responsibilities included creating and implementing temporary displays and corrugated packaging for Hershey's. Although she now works in project management for the food industry, she remains passionate about packaging and considers herself a "packaging geek."
Sponsors
This episode of the podcast is supported by CareersNow! 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
[4:12] Karen's career journey
[9:46] Speaking about a packaging engineering degree
[15:20] Differences between cardboard and corrugated material
[21:11] Why Karen switched to project management
[26:45] Designing and Coordinating Packaging
[31:00] How Karen manages projects
[36:58] Hershey’s sweet and salty division
[39:31] Learning how to manage people
[45:11] Advice for students and graduates
[50:12] Outro
Links
Comin soon! 
Show Notes
Website: http://FoodGrads.com/karen-aranha/

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 regulator of food, animals and plants. The CFIA is committed to enhancing the safety of food produced and sold in, or imported into, Canada, contributing to the health of animals and protecting the plant resource base.
Mariia graduated from Niagara College with an advanced diploma & Associate’s Degree in Food Science and Technology and since then has held multiple food safety positions. Her current master’s research is looking at consumers perceptions of cultured meat. 
Timestamps
[00:00] Introduction
[1:02] Mariia's Journey to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
[8:40] Important skills for a food processing inspector 
[15:21] Stories that have stuck out to Mariia 
[18:54] Exploring Maria's UofG Master's Program
[24:20] Mariia's thesis on perceptions in cell based meats 
[25:45] Choosing the Right Research Topic
[26:43] Difficulties of conducting surveys 
[27:06] Current State of Cell-Based Meats in Canada
[30:29] The Role of Supervisors in Research
[38:23] Why Mariia decided to get a master's degree 
[40:29] Advice for Students and Closing Remarks
Links
Mariia Melnychuk LinkedIn
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
University of Guelph's Food Safety and Quality Assurance program
Information about the different roles CFIA inspectors carry out
Find Mariia Melnychuk

Mariia Melnychuk LinkedIn
Show Notes
Website: https://foodgrads.com/2024/01/17/mariia-melnychuk/

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 Kitchen by Canadian business icon Arlene Dickinson. In May 2021, this initiative became Venturepark Labs—a proud community within Venturepark—Canada’s only business growth ecosystem.

Mike began his career as an advisor to Canada's Minister of Finance, the Honourable Jim Flaherty, but soon discovered a passion for entrepreneurship. As the first hire at Venturepark Labs, Mike established the accelerator program as one of Canada's leading programs for entrepreneurs. To date, the program has supported over 130 entrepreneurs and contributed over $1B in economic output. In 2023, Mike was named one of the Best Executives in Canada by The Globe and Mail.

In 2023, the Globe and Mail recognized Mike as one of the Best Executives in Canada.
Sponsors
This episode of the podcast is supported by CareersNow! 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! 
Links
Coming soon!
Find Mike Online
Mike McNeil
Show Notes
Website: http://FoodGrads.com/mike-mcneil/

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, specializing in Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals, and later pursued a Certificate in Grape and Wine Technology and an MSc in Biotechnology at Brock University. Esther then moved to New Zealand for her PhD in Food Technology at Massey University, focusing on the sensory aspects of protein-based foods. In 2021, she returned to Canada to work in distilled spirits and recently joined the Absolut Group/Pernod Ricard in Windsor, Ontario, as a Product Development Specialist. Additionally, she has completed WSET Levels 2 and 3 in Wines and aspires to achieve the DipWSET.
Timestamps 

[0:00] Podcast Introduction
[1:58] Esther Self-Introduction
[5:51] The Role of a Product Development Specialist
[7:15] Working With Other Departments
[9:01] What Attracted Esther to This Role
[10:25] The Transferability of Ph.D. to Product Development
[13:03] How Esther Decided on a Ph.D. Supervisor
[15:07] Differences Between Ph.D. and the Workforce
[18:48] Tools Esther Uses to Manage Her Work
[20:24] Skills Esther is Currently Developing
[22:22] What is "Good" Sensory for a Consumer
[26:15] Other places Ph.D.'s work in the Company
[30:36] Lessons Esther has Learned Working
[33:01] Esther's Experience as a TA
[34:26] Networking during Ph.D.
[40:56] The Impact of Technology and Innovation on Esther's Role
[43:15] Advice for Aspiring Food Industry Professionals   Links 
CareersNow! Absolut Group/Pernod Ricard
University of Guelph
Find Esther Online 
Esther's LinkedIn
Show Notes 
Website: https://foodgrads.com/esther-onguta/