Munching on Molecules

Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas
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Welcome to Munching on Molecules, your portal to the world of culinary delights, food science, and global gastronomy. Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas explore and share the latest in food discoveries and trends from our Canadian backyard and around the world, fostering a delicious food community for enthusiasts and experts alike. Approachable, inspiring, fun introduction to the world of food technology, science and culinary research. - **What can listeners expect to hear?** - Cutting-edge food technologies - Food scientists and culinary mavens perspectives

  1. Episode 74: Food safety, Regulation and Supplemented foods with Dr. William Yan

    2d ago

    Episode 74: Food safety, Regulation and Supplemented foods with Dr. William Yan

    Join us as Dr. William Yan shares his extensive experience in food safety, nutrition, and regulation in Canada. He brings a thoughtful perspective on the importance of science-based frameworks alongside industry collaboration to protect consumers while also creating space for innovation.  In this episode, we dig into: Health Canada’s regulatory framework Pre-market assessment vs post-market complianceThe history and evolution of the Supplemented Foods RegulationsHow Supplemented Foods differ from Natural Health Products (NHPs)The role of collaboration in food regulationUniversity of Ottawa Graduate Diploma Program, Food Policy and Regulatory AffairsTune in to hear Dr. William Yan’s insights on Canada’s regulatory landscape, and how science-driven collaboration plays a role in maintaining Canada’s reputation for high-quality, safe products on a global scale. Resources:  University of Ottawa's Graduate Diploma: https://www.uottawa.ca/faculty-health-sciences/nutrition/graduate-studies/graduate-diploma-food-policy-regulatory-affairs Dr. William Yan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-yan-7239332aa/ wyan@uottawa.ca

    51 min
  2. Episode 73: Angela Santiago on 30 Years of Building the Little Potato Company

    Jun 1

    Episode 73: Angela Santiago on 30 Years of Building the Little Potato Company

    Angela Santiago is the CEO and Co-Founder of Little Potato Company, a business she started alongside her father 30 years ago.  The Little Potato Company's origin story is one of those rare ones that feels almost too good to be true. Angela's father, drawing on nostalgia for the small potatoes he had grown up eating in the Netherlands, had a simple idea: what if Canadians could fall in love with them too? The duo took a chance, washing and testing their first small potatoes in a bathtub before bringing them to market. There was skepticism. The industry wasn't convinced. They found their niche by leaning into exactly what made the potatoes different. Today, The Little Potato Company employs more than 500 employees, three state-of-the-art facilities, producing over 280 million pounds of potatoes annually. The company is one of the most recognizable names in Canadian produce, built on a foundation of natural potato breeding, vertical integration, and a genuine belief that innovation, passion, and commitment to quality separates enduring brands. In this episode, we discuss: How The Little Potato Company created an entirely new value-added category in produce.The natural breeding process behind their small potato varieties, and why developing a new variety takes eight to nine years.The company's approach to sustainable crop utilization and the goal of reaching 100% crop use with zero waste.Leadership lessons from building a business over thirty years, and what has shaped Angela's approach to running a company.The role of communities like YPO and EO in supporting founders through the journey. Angela's story is a reminder that the most durable brands often start with asking a simple question and had the patience, creativity and conviction to see it through.  Resources:  Little Potato Company: https://www.littlepotatoes.com  Angela Santiago on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelasantiago

    29 min
  3. Episode 72: Hoochy 'Booch: From DIY Passion to Scale. Kristin Zerbin’s Kombucha Journey

    May 24

    Episode 72: Hoochy 'Booch: From DIY Passion to Scale. Kristin Zerbin’s Kombucha Journey

    What does it take to turn a homemade kombucha obsession into a growing beverage brand? We sit down with Kristin Zerbin, founder of Hoochy 'Booch Kombucha, for a candid conversation about her journey from DIY kombucha brewing to building a vibrant, growing beverage company. Kristin shares how her personal gut health challenges sparked her interest in kombucha, and how that passion and curiosity grew into a business.  What began in her kitchen evolved into Hoochy 'Booch Kombucha, a brand rooted in flavour, and a colourful California-inspired aesthetic. What sets Kristin’s story apart is the honesty that comes across when discussing the realities behind growth. Scaling a beverage brand is not just about getting into more stores. It means navigating distributor relationships, managing inventory, understanding net terms, protecting cash flow, and making smart choices about which channels to pursue. When COVID disrupted tap-based sales, the team had to adapt quickly, shifting toward cans and building more resilient sales channels. We also explore Kristin’s evolution as a Founder, from building behind the scenes to stepping into more visible leadership. As Hoochy 'Booch grows, Kristin reflects on what it means to build something with long-term value, whether that results in a legacy brand, a future sale, or something in between. From navigating the realities of scaling operations to building a brand identity, managing distributor relationships, adapting during COVID, and considering legacy versus exit, this conversation offers candid insights for food and beverage founders. Resources:  Hoochy 'Booch Kombucha: https://hoochybooch.com/

    36 min
  4. Episode 71: There was no playbook, so he built one. Scott Miller on getting MarketReady for Canada.

    May 17

    Episode 71: There was no playbook, so he built one. Scott Miller on getting MarketReady for Canada.

    What does it take for an international food brand to successfully launch in Canadian retail? In this episode, we sit down with Scott Miller, Founder of MarketReady, a consulting business built to support global food manufacturers navigate and enter the Canadian retail market successfully. Scott's work focuses on closing the knowledge gaps that can quietly sink an otherwise promising launch. Scott's journey into CPG started with an exchange program in Japan and wound through years of hands-on experience in the food industry across Asia. When he began working with overseas brands looking to break into Canada, he noticed something that kept coming up: there was no playbook. No clear system. No consolidated resource for international brands trying to understand what entering the Canadian market actually required. So he built one. Scott used his years of experience to reverse-engineer success and developed a framework that helps brands avoid costly mistakes. In this episode, we discuss: The gap Scott identified, and the absence of a clear market entry playbook for Canada was the founding insight behind MarketReady.Why understanding Canadian market dynamics; cost structures, compliant packaging, distribution layers, and consumer behaviour, are non-negotiables before entering.The importance of market retail visits, and why they're most effective when tied to trade shows.What Canadian retailers are looking for and why arriving unprepared can cost a brand an entire year of momentum.What it takes to find the right distribution or retail partner, and why that relationship can make or break a launchScott's message is consistent: preparation matters, partnerships matter, and there are no shortcuts to doing it right. The path to the Canadian market has many steps, and most international brands navigate blindly for the first time. Working with MarketReady, brands can accelerate their growth, avoid the costly trial and error, and move through the journey with a guide who has already mapped the terrain. If you are an international brand setting your sights on Canada, this episode is required listening. Resources:  Market Ready: https://www.marketready.ca Connect with Scott: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcameronmiller/ Instagram: @scomil Scott is currently reading: Dan Martell, Buy Back Your Time

    39 min
  5. Episode 70: Simran Kaur, Jiva Organics, on Relationships, Retail, and the Reality of Canadian CPG.

    May 12

    Episode 70: Simran Kaur, Jiva Organics, on Relationships, Retail, and the Reality of Canadian CPG.

    We sit down with Simran Kaur, Sales Manager for Western Canada at Jiva Organics, for an honest conversation about navigating the Canadian CPG and retail landscape. Simran shares her unconventional journey from managing national accounts at Zomato in Delhi to building retail relationships across Western Canada. Simran brings a grounded, people-first perspective to an industry that can often feel transactional. Her approach centers on a core belief: helping stores serve their customers better. That mindset, combined with a willingness to own and learn from her mistakes, has become the foundation of how she works. In this episode, we discuss: Jiva Organics as a family business, one of BC's pioneering organic stores since 1998.What makes Jiva unique as a manufacturer, bulk food operator, and distributor all in one.The story behind launching Bliss Balls and their nationwide launch with Loblaws.The new Origins Program and how QR codes connect consumers directly to farms and growers to improve supply chain transparency.Understanding the store's customer is the key to any successful sales conversation. Simran walks us through the CPG retail journey, especially from farm to retailer shelf, and what it takes to earn trust and build lasting partnerships in Canadian grocery. Resources: Connect with Simran Kaur on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaur-mansimran/ Jiva Organics: https://www.jivaorganics.ca/

    43 min
  6. Episode 69: Chef Steph Baryluk on Indigenous Food Systems, Cultural Heritage, and the Power of the Kitchen

    May 4

    Episode 69: Chef Steph Baryluk on Indigenous Food Systems, Cultural Heritage, and the Power of the Kitchen

    In this episode, we sit down with Chef Steph Baryluk, a Red Seal Indigenous Chef, educator, and one of Canada's most compelling voices in food. A proud Teetl'it Gwich'in from Teetl'it Zheh (Fort McPherson) in Treaty 11 Territory. Chef Steph grew up in the Arctic, where hunting, fishing, and land stewardship shaped everything about how she understands food, community, and cooking with purpose. With over a decade of culinary experience, Chef Steph has built a career at the intersection of classical training and deep cultural roots. She's an educator, an advocate, and a leader in advancing Indigenous food systems in Canada.  Recognized as one of Canada's Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2024 and recipient of the WXN Food Industry Award. In this episode, we discuss: Chef Steph's Arctic upbringing and land stewardship shaped her relationship with food.Her work through Nihkhah, a majority Indigenous and women-owned social enterprise dedicated to bringing Indigenous food, culture, and knowledge into public life.What advocating for Indigenous food systems means on a national and global stage.From community kitchens to the global stage, Chef Steph brings a perspective on food that is rooted, generous, and necessary. This is a conversation about heritage, sustainability, and the power of knowing where your food comes from. Learn and Connect: Nihkhah: https://nihkhah.ca/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chef-steph-baryluk-7b9069270/

    28 min
  7. Episode 68: Sharan Sidhu on Regulatory Strategy and Building Salix Sciences

    Apr 21

    Episode 68: Sharan Sidhu on Regulatory Strategy and Building Salix Sciences

    What if regulatory expertise was not just a compliance checkbox, but a core part of how you build a brand, make a business case, and grow in the Canadian natural health products industry? In this episode, we sit down with Sharan Sidhu, CEO and Director of Regulatory Affairs at Salix Sciences, for a candid conversation about her journey through natural health products industry, regulatory affairs, and entrepreneurship. Sharan walks us through her early career, the pivot that brought her into the NHP space, and what it looked like to build expertise as a regulatory consultant before ultimately building Salix Sciences. What sets her perspective apart is how she approaches regulation not as a hurdle, but as a strategic lens. For Sharan, understanding the regulatory landscape from the beginning allows brands to build smarter, move faster, and avoid the costly mistakes that come from treating compliance as an afterthought. That mindset shapes how Salix works with its clients. Rather than arriving after the fact to fix problems, Salix partners with brands early, getting inside the business to understand the real pain points, the gaps between ambition and execution, and where regulatory strategy can actually strengthen the business model rather than slow it down. It is a different way of thinking about what a regulatory partner can and should be. We get into: Sharan's early career and the accidental pathway that led her to natural health product consultation.How Salix Sciences partners with clients to understand pain points.Importance of integrating regulatory strategy into the brand-building process from day one.The gap in scale-up resources in the West for emerging CPG brands and Nutraceutical brands. Resources: Salix Sciences: https://salixsciences.com/ Connect on LinkedIn: Sharan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharan-sidhu-559a7b11/ Salix Sciences: https://www.linkedin.com/company/salix-sciences

    33 min
  8. Episode 67: Q1 2026 Snack Bites with Christine & Lara

    Apr 17

    Episode 67: Q1 2026 Snack Bites with Christine & Lara

    Time for another quarterly catch-up with your co-hosts, Christine Farkas, RSE, CRC and Lara Tiro. In this "snackable" roundup, we share the key moments, industry gatherings, and forward-looking forums that shaped our winter and early spring in food innovation. From San Francisco to Anaheim, we've been on the ground learning, connecting, and supporting growth across the food and beverage ecosystem. Here's a taste of what we've been up to: Trend spotting in full force: Winter Fancy Faire brought us face-to-face with what's next on shelf, including the rise of sensemaxxing and what it signals for product development and positioning.Community in action: The CFE Gathering and BCFT Suppliers Night reminded us why in-person connection in this industry is irreplaceable.The big shows: SCIFT and ExpoWest , CHFA Vancouver delivered its usual sensory overload of innovation, emerging brands, and category disruption, and we came back with plenty to unpack.Founder energy: Jake Karls of Midday Squares at Fasken for a candid conversation on the power of authenticity and storytelling and what it really takes to grow a food business from the ground up.Looking ahead to Q2, we have a packed conference slate including the Dressings and Sauces Technical Meeting, ThaiFX and the CHFA Ottawa Regulatory Forum. We have been sitting on some exciting news: Munching on Molecules is approaching its 100th episode! We are planning something special to mark the occasion mid-November. This show exists because of this community, and we want to celebrate that.  Stay tuned, because this event is going to be worth the wait. Hit play, grab a snack, and let's set the stage for a strong Q2!

    27 min
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About

Welcome to Munching on Molecules, your portal to the world of culinary delights, food science, and global gastronomy. Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas explore and share the latest in food discoveries and trends from our Canadian backyard and around the world, fostering a delicious food community for enthusiasts and experts alike. Approachable, inspiring, fun introduction to the world of food technology, science and culinary research. - **What can listeners expect to hear?** - Cutting-edge food technologies - Food scientists and culinary mavens perspectives

Information

  • Creator
    Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    74
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas
  • Show Website
    Munching on Molecules