FoodTech Junkies

In this episode of FoodTech Junkies , host Sharon Cittone sits down with Marjolein Brasz , CEO of Foodvalley NL , to unpack what it really takes to move food innovation from ideas to impact. The conversation goes beyond startups and technologies to examine the structural challenges shaping today’s food system, from fragmented value chains and misaligned incentives to consumer disconnect and policy...

In this episode of FoodTech Junkies , host Sharon Cittone sits down with Ross Milne , CEO of Leaft Foods , to explore one of the most under-reported scientific breakthroughs in modern food innovation: the successful commercial extraction of Rubisco , the most abundant and until now, most elusive protein on Earth. Ross shares his journey from designing some of the world’s largest food factories to...

How do we turn untapped science into the next generation of food companies? In this episode, we sit down with Giacomo Cattaneo , co-founder of EverGrain and now the driving force behind FOOD FOUNDERS Studio , a Swiss venture studio dedicated to turning Europe’s breakthrough food tech IP into market-ready startups. Giacomo walks us through his journey from mechanical engineer to food innovator, his...

Dive into the intriguing intersection of creativity and technology in the food industry with Chaz Flexman and Lena Kwak , co-founders of Starday . Discover how AI tools are transforming product innovation and development in the culinary world, balancing human intuition with data-driven insight. With her experience leading R&D at The French Laundry and as the entrepreneur behind Cup4Cup , Lena...

Join FoodTech Junkies host Sharon Cittone in conversation with Beatriz Jacoste , CEO of KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub and one of Spain’s leading voices in the transformation of global food systems. From her early passion for gastronomy to the helm of KM ZERO, Bea shares how innovation, collaboration, and grounded leadership are reshaping how we produce, distribute, and value food. Together, they exp...

What if the future of cultivated meat didn’t start on our plates—but in our pets’ bowls? In this episode of FoodTech Junkies, Sharon Cittone sits down with Owen Ensor, co-founder and CEO of Meatly, the company behind Chick Bites, the world’s first cultivated chicken treat for pets and the first cultivated meat ever approved for sale in Europe. Owen shares the journey from consulting and insect pro...

In this episode of FoodTech Junkies , Sharon sits down with Andrew Ive , Founder of Big Idea Ventures , to explore the urgent need for innovation in food and agtech. From his journey at Procter & Gamble to building one of the most influential VC firms and ecosystems in the space, Andrew shares hard-won insights on what it takes to drive impact at scale. They dive into: The urgency of climate a...

In this episode of FoodTech Junkies , we dive into visionary innovations shaping the future of food with Chiara Cecchini , VP of Commercialization at Savor — a company transforming the fats and oils category by eliminating agriculture from the equation. From animal- and plant-free butter to scalable climate solutions, Savor is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Chiara shares her journey fr...

In this episode of FoodTech Junkies , host Sharon Cittone talks with Zhong Xu, CEO and co-founder of Deliverect , about the role of AI in transforming restaurant operations. From reducing errors and downtime to boosting personalization and tackling fraud with tools like Resolve and Kiosk , Deliverect powers over 65,000 restaurants globally—including major names such as Burger King and KFC. Zhong s...

This week on the FoodTech Junkies podcast, we’re joined by Nona Yehia — architect, changemaker, and CEO of Vertical Harvest. From Jackson Hole to Westbrook, Maine, Nona shares how her team is reimagining vertical farming not just as a way to grow food, but as a regenerative business model—one where inclusion, local impact, and profitability go hand in hand. We dive into what makes their newest far...

In this episode of the Food Tech Junkies Podcast , host Sharon Cittone speaks with Julia Collins —founder of PlanetFWD and the visionary behind Moonshot Snacks and Zume Pizza —about how we can decarbonize the food industry through data, innovation, and transparency. Julia shares her journey from food entrepreneur to climate-tech trailblazer, revealing how small brands can drive big change. The con...

What if honey could be made without bees—and still taste just like the real thing? In this episode of FoodTech Junkies Sharon Cittone speaks with Darko Mandich, CEO and co-founder of MeliBio , about disrupting a $10B industry with science, sustainability, and storytelling. This isn’t just a conversation about alternative ingredients—it’s about rethinking how we produce food in a way that works bet...

In this episode of FoodTech Junkies , host Sharon Cittone sits down with Miriam Ueberall , a seasoned leader with 24 years of experience in the food industry, for a compelling conversation on the systemic changes needed to future-proof our food systems. Miriam shares her insights on the challenges of innovation , the importance of DEI , and the urgent need for consumer-centric sustainability . Tog...

In this episode of the FoodTech Junkies Podcast, Sharon Cittone sits down with Marc Coloma , CEO and co-founder of Heura , to explore the intersection of activism, innovation, and food system transformation. From his early roots in social justice to building one of Europe’s fastest-growing plant-based food companies, Marc shares the driving forces behind Heura’s mission to fix what he calls “the m...

Who's on Stage at Future FoodTech SF? Join host Sharon Cittone as she sits down with Bill Aimutus , a leading food innovation pioneer shaping the future of food. With a career in companies like  Land O’Lakes, Kerry Ingredients, and Cargill, to now NC State’s Food Innovation Lab and the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein , Bill shares insights into alternative proteins, food security, labor c...

In this episode of the FoodTech Junkies Podcast , host Sharon Cittone sits down with Liana Thompson, co-founder Aquaai, a pioneering robotics startup tackling ocean and waterway health. Liana shares her journey from journalism to climate tech entrepreneurship, highlighting how Aquaai is developing cutting-edge robotic solutions to combat water scarcity and promote marine conservation. Discover how...

How can we make food healthier, more sustainable, and packed with essential nutrients—all without relying on traditional agriculture? In this episode, we sit down with Frank Jaksch , founder of Ayana Bio , to explore the cutting-edge world of plant cell culture technology and how it’s revolutionizing the way we think about nutrition. From his early days in chemistry and drug discovery to launching...

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Marie Asano, partner at the European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF). Marie shares her unique journey from scientist to venture capitalist, exploring how she now champions sustainable innovations at the intersection of agri, food tech, and the bioeconomy. In this episode, we’ll uncover the challenges and opportunities within the bioeconomy, the vital rol...

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Altschuler Malek, Managing Partner at Unovis Asset Management, to discuss the urgency for protein diversification, the future of sustainable food systems, and the transformative potential of innovation in the food sector. Drawing from his diverse experience—ranging from corporate banking to launching a CPG brand—Dan offers a unique perspective on the challenge...

How can the food industry tackle climate change, drive innovation, and create a sustainable future? In this episode, we’re joined by Siân Yates , Editorial Director at FoodBev Media , to explore the key challenges and groundbreaking trends shaping the food system. From cultured meat and AI technology to waste valorization and regenerative agriculture, we discuss the innovations driving change and...

In this episode, Sharon sits down with Daan Luining, a pioneering mind in the field of cultivated meat and co-founder of Meatable. Together, they explore Dan’s fascinating journey from a researcher in cell molecular biology and tissue engineering to leading a company at the forefront of sustainable food innovation. The conversation uncovers the challenges of merging cell biology with food science,...

In this episode of the Food Tech Junkies podcast, host Sharon Cittone engages with Jack Bobo—renowned expert, author, and futurist—to discuss the future of food systems. From the rising influence of GLP-1 drugs on diets and nutrition to the environmental and agricultural shifts driven by innovation, this conversation dives into the critical intersections of science, policy, and sustainability. Exp...

In this new episode of The Green Spoon , we journey into the heart of Japan's sustainable food practices with Chef Keiko Kuwakino. Known for her expertise in vegetable-based cuisine and unwavering commitment to sustainability, Chef Kuwakino takes us through her incredible journey, her passion for foraging, and her mindful approach to creating dishes that honor nature’s bounty. Learn how she transf...

Explore the future of our food system in this inspiring episode of Food Tech Junkies ! Host Sharon Cittone sits down with Swedish innovator and investor Daniel Skaven Ruben to discuss his impactful journey in food and agriculture and his role in driving sustainable and nutritious practices worldwide. This conversation covers a broad spectrum of critical topics, including local food system improvem...

In this episode, we sit down with Dana Gunders, President of ReFED and a renowned expert in food sustainability. Dana shares her path into the food waste sector, emphasizing the critical environmental and economic impacts of food waste. Under her leadership, ReFED has achieved remarkable milestones, such as a 25% reduction in surplus food among West Coast grocers, and has spearheaded innovative st...