Munching on Molecules

Our worlds are colliding! In this special crossover episode, Lara and Christine sit down with the dynamic duo behind  This Commerce Life,  Phil Chang and Kenny Vannucci, for a candid, hilarious, and insightful conversation that spans everything from their  very first  podcast, Canadian CPG, and the evolving world of content creation. We get the inside scoop on:  How  This Commerce Life  started (s...

In this special edition of  Munching on Molecules , we’re joined by three inspiring members of the CHFA Government Relations & Regulatory Affairs team:   Sonia Parmar , VP of Regulatory Affairs & Government Relations   Jules Gorham , Director of Regulatory Affairs & Policy   Ashley Cornell , Director of Regulatory Affairs & Policy Together, they give us a sneak peek into the  CHFA...

Cristina Dias, founder of  Mogiana Coffee , is continuing a journey that began in 1890 when her great-grandfather first started farming coffee in Brazil's Mogiana valley region. Today, her company imports and roasts her family farms' specialty grade  Coffee arabica  variety beans (specifically Yellow Bourbon and Red Bourbon) in British Columbia, building a transparent, purpose-led business...

Bone broth... but make it your favourite cozy drink that'sdelicious and convenient.    Beckie Prime, a registered holistic nutritionist and CEO ofBeck’s Broth, joins us to share how she’s bringing the café experience home, one decadent, protein-infused sip at a time. Think coffee, hot chocolate, and matcha reimagined with bone broth and 15g of protein per serving.  Beckie has always been passi...

In this special “quarterly snack”, Christine and Lara take a moment from incredible guest interviews to catch up and reflect on the exciting activities across Q1 - from industry workshops, to presentations, to tasting panels, trade shows, and everything in between. Tune in for a whirlwind recap of where they’ve been, what they’ve learned, and what’s coming next. A few of the MANY highlights: - Men...

If you think campus dining is just about feeding the masses, think again.  Chef David Speight, Executive Chef and Culinary Director at the University of British Columbia (UBC), is proof that institutional kitchens can be powerful agents of change. With culinary training from Vancouver Community College and the Culinary Institute of America in New York, David blends fine dining precision with a dee...

Planning to attend CHFA NOW Vancouver from April 25–27, 2025?  CHFA NOW is Canada’s largest natural, organic, and wellness trade show , bringing together retailers, brokers, manufacturers, and innovators from across the industry. Whether you're exhibiting, scouting products and trends, this show is a must for anyone building or growing a better-for-you brand.  In this episode, Lara and Christi...

Alisa Hutton is the dynamic COO of BC Food and Beverage (BCFB), whose leadership is as nourishing as the industry she champions.   Her journey begins in the aisles of a family-run grocery store in East Vancouver, where she learned early that food isn’t just about commerce—it’s about connection. Raised among the rhythms of the neighborhood market and the wisdom of her grandparents, Alisa carries th...

Jenny Siormanolakis, President of Grandpa J’s Seasoning, shares her story rich with grace, sheer grit, and generations of flavour. From the hum of a family restaurant kitchen to the bright lights of retail shelves, Jenny’s path winds through the heart of the food world. She speaks with the warmth of a family dinner and the clarity of a seasoned entrepreneur, sharing how she, alongside her sister,...

In this episode, we discuss the world of seafood innovation with Debra Hellbach, industry veteran and passionate advocate for small-scale producers. With over 40 years of experience in the food and seafood sector, Debra has dedicated her career to helping people make and market good food—with an emphasis on resilience, sustainability, and community impact. As the force behind the Seafood Business...

Could the future of health be hidden in citrus peels?  In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Andrew Tait, biochemist, entrepreneur, and founder of Tait Laboratories Inc., to explore how he and his team are transforming overlooked citrus peels into cutting-edge health and food innovation solutions.   Andrew’s journey began with a focus on multiple sclerosis (MS) research, where he first explored th...

What do water activity, music, and mantras have in common? More than you’d think! In this episode, we dive into the science of moisture measurement with Dr. Zachary Cartwright, Lead Food Scientist & Isotherm Application Consultant at AQUALAB by Addium. Moisture is the unsung hero of food safety & shelf life. Dr. Cartwright explains how controlling water activity keeps food from becoming a...

How is  Maia Farms  redefining the future of protein? In our latest episode, we sit down with  Gavin Schneider , co-founder & CEO, and  Karen McCathy , Director of Food Innovation, to explore the cutting edge of sustainable food innovation. What makes Maia Farms different? Based in BC, Maia Farms was founded by a farmer, an engineer, and a neuroscientist—a powerhouse of expertise tackling the...

In this episode, we dive into the world of fava beans with Hailey Jefferies, Co-founder of Prairie Fava—a company revolutionizing fava and fava-based ingredients from farm to formulation. Hailey shares her journey in building a vertically integrated business that partners with farmers, processes fava beans in Manitoba, and supplies innovative ingredients to food makers across North America and bey...

Celebrating World Pulses Day – February 10th!  Pulses (dry peas, beans, lentils, chickpeas) might be small, but they’re making a big impact - on our health, our planet, and the future of food. These humble ingredients are packed with protein, fibre, and endless possibilities, fueling some of the most exciting innovations in food product development. To celebrate, we’re sitting down with Julianne C...

Planning to attend  Natural Products Expo West 2025 ? This is a massive trade show for the natural, organic, and healthy products industry, attracting over 65,000 attendees and 3,300+ exhibitors in Anaheim, California. From plant-based foods and functional beverages to sustainable packaging and wellness innovations, this show is unique and memorable on so many levels. In this episode, Lara and Chr...

In this special "on the road" episode, we couldn’t resist making an impromptu stop at one of our favourite spots— Orofino Winery  in Cawston, British Columbia—on route to the interior. And, it just so happened to be the  last day of the season  for the tasting room! We had the pleasure of connecting with  Virginia Weber , who owns Orofino with her husband, John, to learn about their incredible jou...

In this episode, we sit down with Laurent Dallaire, President of Innodal, to uncover how biopreservation is changing the landscape of food safety and sustainability. Laurent explains how their discovery of natural antimicrobials produced by microflora can effectively extend shelf life while ensuring safety, particularly in combating foodborne pathogens like  Listeria monocytogenes . Laurent also s...

On this episode of Munching on Molecules, we fire up an exciting conversation with BBQ legend and pitmaster Brian Misko, who, along with his wife Corinne, has built House of Q into a BBQ sensation. Based in British Columbia, House of Q has become a celebrated name in the North American BBQ scene, racking up top awards from Las Vegas to Lynchburg, including a first-place win for ribs at the World F...

In this episode we have the pleasure of sitting down with Gregory Willis, the Founder and President of Senspire, the company behind Flavor Studio—a groundbreaking operating system that’s reimagining how food and ingredient companies innovate. For Gregory, building Flavor Studio wasn’t just about creating powerful software; it was about empowering teams, sparking creativity, and fostering innovatio...

Sue Grubac is the BCHGA's first Executive Director. She is also a hazelnut farmer with a 10-acre orchard in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. She is excited to represent the island growers and to be a part of the rebuild and redevelopment of the hazelnut industry in BC. The BC Hazelnut Growers Association (BCHGA) exists to promote the improvement and expansion of BC’s hazelnut industry, and to support...

Join us on this episode as we dive into the inspiring journey of Sid Mehta, Founder and CEO of Greenworks Inc. From chef entrepreneur to leader in global food system transformation, Sid has over 20 years of experience driving sustainability, food security, and waste reduction. He builds coalitions across sectors, turning long-term goals into actionable solutions. Sid also serves on advisory boards...

Charlotte Langley, Founder and President of Langley Foods Inc., is a visionary and passionate leader with a wealth of expertise from launching Scout Canning and serving as a lead advisor to other CPG brands entering grocery and retail. Her dedication to innovation drives her mission to transform the food and beverage industry, blending flavor, ethical practices, and environmental and social stewar...

Maria Covarrubias is the founder of Cien Chiles, a delicious and authentic Mexican hot sauce brand based out of San Diego, California, and one of the 2024 Pitch Slam Finalists at Expo West. Maria is a beam of light, a CIA classically trained chef, an incredible culinarian with an unparalleled passion for food and people. Lara and Christine catch up with Maria about her journey from Guadalajara, he...

Alexandra Broddy is the Co-founder of Crush Dynamics Inc., a British Columbia-based agritech company specializing in transforming agricultural side streams into high-performance food ingredients through a patented biomechanical fermentation process. Listen in on how she scaled her Dad's big idea during his bike ride along the vineyards to a commercially viable ingredient company! Website: http...