Munching on Molecules

Janet Helou is the CSO and Wine Scientist at Glimmer Wine, a BC-based, women-owned non-alcoholic sparkling wine brand.  With a background spanning science, R&D, sales, food science, and wine, Janet helps lead Glimmer from both sides of the business: developing the product and supporting commercial sales. As a Certified Food Scientist and WSET Level 3, she brings a rare blend of technical exper...

We talk with Gord Sterritt, CEO of Authentic Indigenous Seafood and Executive Director of the Upper Fraser Fisheries Conservation Alliance, to explore the deep connection between fisheries, food security, sustainability, and Indigenous-led food systems. As a member of the Gitxsan First Nation, Gord brings a rich perspective shaped by community, culture, conservation, and years of experience workin...

What does it take to build a contract manufacturing operations capable of serving CPG brands on both sides of the border and scaling with them all the way to Costco? We sit down with Preet Bhullar, COO and Co-Founder of Blue Ocean Group. The conversation was recorded on-site at their brand-new innovation hub in Blaine, Washington. What began in 2012 as a 2,000-square-foot tea operation in Surrey,...

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 compl...

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...

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 curiosi...

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. Sc...

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 tr...

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 wi...

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,...

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 bever...

We sit down with Alessio Monterosso, Founder of Ariana Naturals, for a conversation about personal healing, entrepreneurship, and building with purpose. Founded in Ottawa, Ariana Naturals, started as Alessio’s personal search for solutions while navigating depression. The nationally expanding CPG brand of saffron-based tea products can now be found in 100+ retail stores across Canada. A few highli...

In this special edition of Munching on Molecules, we’re joined by two members of the CHFA Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs team: Sonia Parmar, VP, Regulatory Affairs & Government Relations Jules Gorham, Sr. Director, Government Relations & Quebec Affairs We get a sneak peek into the CHFA Ottawa Regulatory Forum, happening May 26–27, 2026. This immersive, standalone event bring...

What if sustainability wasn’t just about packaging, sourcing, and supply chains, but also about creating healthier, happier, and more productive workplaces? We sit down with Jennifer de Vera of Dawson College, whom we first met at CHFA Vancouver, for a fresh conversation on what it means to take a more human-centered approach to sustainability. Jenn shares her journey from entrepreneur to sustaina...

What happens when a supplements skeptic ends up leading a Canadian natural health company with clinically backed, patented ingredients? In this episode of  Munching on Molecules , we sit down with Michael Bentley, President of SierraSil® Health Inc., to talk about leadership, credibility, and the role of natural health products in Canada. We interviewed Michael live on location at the Multivac Inn...

What does it look like to build a proudly Canadian snack brand from a farmers’ market table all the way to owning your own production facility? In this episode, we sit down with Sheena Russell, Founder & CEO of Made with Local, for a behind-the-scenes conversation on building a CPG brand rooted in real food, local sourcing, and a whole lot of persistence. Made with Local started at a farmers’...

In this recap episode,  Munching on Molecules  looks back on  Expo 2026  to capture the energy, standout conversations, and biggest trends & themes shaping the future of food. From emerging brand innovations to sharp insights on product development, ingredient trends, and what it really takes to stand out in today’s CPG landscape, this episode highlights the ideas and momentum coming out of th...

We welcome Matthew Skinner, CEO of Wide Open Agriculture (WOA), to explore the business and science behind lupin protein and regenerative food systems. From a finance career to food entrepreneurship, Matthew’s path into the industry was anything but conventional. Driven by a passion for sustainability, he now leads Wide Open Agriculture, championing lupin as a high-protein, low-impact ingredient w...

This week, we’re joined by the one and only, Christine Couvelier, executive chef, culinary trendologist, and founder of Culinary Concierge, for an inspiring look at a life fully immersed in food. Christine’s passion is unmistakable. With over four decades of experience, she’s helped shape global food strategies, launch beloved consumer products, and guide brands in translating culinary trends into...

In this special on-the-ground episode,  Munching on Molecules  heads to  CHFA NOW Vancouver  to capture the energy of the show floor. We ran our  Fast 4 Interviews  series with the brands and booths exhibiting at the event, spotlighting the innovations, origin stories, and go-to-market realities shaping Canada’s natural, organic, and better-for-you space.   Listen in  to hear the Fast 4 Interviews...

What happens when a seasoned brand builder turns his focus to oral care and decides the category deserves a total reset? In this episode, we sit down with Steve Thorp, CEO & Co-Founder of Before, for a behind-the-scenes conversation on rethinking one of the most overlooked daily rituals: brushing your teeth. We caught Steve at CHFA Launchpad Toronto just before he walked on stage to pitch: hig...

This week, we’re joined by Michael Colangelo, founder of Nota Bene Flavors. A deep interest in how chemistry connects with human perception led Michael into the world of flavor chemistry. After years in analytical chemistry and product innovation for startups, he launched Nota Bene Flavors, to bring a more thoughtful, chemistry-informed approach to flavor  creation. In this episode, we unpack: Wha...

This week on  Munching on Molecules, Lara Tiro  and  Christine Farkas  welcome a fellow food podcaster and dual-role powerhouse, Veronica Hislop. As the host of  That’s a Food Job! podcast , Veronica interviews professionals across the food and beverage manufacturing industry spotlighting the unexpected roles and career journeys. Her own career journey is just as compelling. Veronica is a multimed...

We are kicking off  Munching on Molecules, Season 3 with a dose of energy, intention, and JOY.  In Episode 54, Lara Tiro and Christine Farkas reflect on: Why tackling hard things can bring the most joy  The power of setting “signature challenges” to anchor your year A teaser of the podcast’s upcoming content pillars ( stay tuned for more!) Here's to a joy-filled and glowy 2026. Upcoming events...

We wrap up our action-packed PEI mini-series with Bill DeBlois, owner of Buns & Things Bakery. Bill shares how his parents scaled a franchise into a thriving bakery operation, and what it’s taken to keep that momentum going. From near-bankruptcy beginnings to running a high-volume scratch bakery operation, this episode is full of lessons in leadership, resilience, and staying curious. Highligh...