The Food Professor

In the first episode of 2026, The Food Professor Podcast kicks off the year with a wide-ranging discussion that blends big-picture food system insights with an inspiring founder story. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois are joined by Roxanne Joyal, Founder and CEO of &Back Coffee , for a conversation that spans food policy, restaurant industry disruption, and the future of ethical co...

The final episode of The Food Professor Podcast for 2025 delivers a timely, wide-ranging examination of Canada’s food system, blending macroeconomic analysis with a compelling, real-world industry case study. Co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois open the episode by reviewing their Top 10 Food Stories of 2025 , a list that reflects a year defined less by short-term volatility and mor...

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast opens with Michael and Sylvain analyzing the most pressing developments shaping Canada’s food and retail landscape. Sylvain reflects on the extraordinary national and global reach of Canada’s Food Price Report , which this year generated unprecedented media attention and continues to influence retailers, manufacturers, governments, and consumers planning...

In this action and insight-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast , Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois sit down with Hugo Magnan, President of Groupe MAG , the Quebec-based culinary innovator behind some of Canada’s most delicious mayonnaise, salad dressings, dips, and sauces. Hugo shares the company’s origin story — founded in 1989 by his father Jacques — and explains how Groupe MAG car...

This episode of The Food Professor Podcast takes a deep dive into one of the most powerful forces now reshaping the food industry: the rapid rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois begin with a run-through of current food and retail headlines, including controversy at Campbell Soup, conversations around AI adoption and innovation...

In this can’t-miss episode of The Food Professor Podcast , Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois return with Part Two of their exclusive, final official interview with Michael Medline, former President & CEO of Empire/Sobeys . Medline offers unusually candid reflections on leadership, culture, vendor relationships, and the evolution of one of Canada’s largest food retailers. The conversation open...

In this first instalment of a two-part exclusive, The Food Professor Podcast sits down in person with Michael Medline, (now) former President and CEO of Empire Company Limited and Sobeys , in what serendipitously became his last official interview before news broke of his transition to lead The Woodbridge Company. Michael offers a rare, deeply personal look at his eight-plus-year tenure transformi...

Recorded live at the Coffee Association of Canada Annual Conference , this special edition of The Food Professor Podcast with Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois brews up a rich conversation on the state of Canada’s food economy, the coffee industry’s shifting landscape, and the global forces shaping what Canadians eat and drink live on the stage. The episode opens with Michael and Sylvain...

In this flavorful new episode of The Food Professor Podcast —presented by Caddle— Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois serve up an inspiring conversation with Rob Sengotta , chef and co-founder of Von Slick’s Finishing Touch , the award-winning Manitoba-based producer of gourmet compound butters. The Interview Rob takes listeners behind the scenes of his chef-to-entrepreneur journey—from fin...

In this dynamic episode of The Food Professor Podcast , presented by Caddle , co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois dive into the latest headlines shaping Canada’s food and beverage sector before welcoming Kiran Mann, CEO of Brar’s , one of North America’s fastest-growing South Asian food manufacturers. The episode opens with a timely look at the hospitality boost from the Toronto Bl...

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast , presented by Caddle, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois open with a wide-ranging conversation on global trade tensions, the state of Canadian agriculture, and the latest policy moves shaping our food economy — before turning to the fascinating story of Stephen Mitchell , President of Sprucewood Shores Estate Winery , Ontario’s only b...

In this powerful new episode of The Food Professor Podcast , presented by Caddle , co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois dissect the forces shaping Canada’s food and agriculture economy—from farmland bubbles and provincial politics to the latest retail coffee price increases. The show opens with Michael’s visit to Prince Edward County , where he talks about reconnecting with past gue...

In this lively new episode of The Food Professor Podcast , Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois dive into the latest food, retail, and agriculture headlines before sitting down with a fascinating guest: Bryce Lobreau, Co-Founder of 8 Acres , one of Canada’s most innovative organic and grass-fed beef brands. The episode begins with a timely look at Canadians’ Thanksgiving dinner costs for 202...

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast presented by Caddle, co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois bring their trademark mix of food industry news analysis and an in-depth conversation with a leading Canadian food entrepreneur. The episode opens with a wide-ranging look at the Canadian retail and restaurant landscape. Sylvain shares highlights from his keynote in Brampton, Onta...

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast , presented by Caddle, hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois deliver their trademark mix of hard-hitting food industry analysis and an insightful conversation with a top Canadian food leader. The episode kicks off with a wide-ranging news segment. Michael and Sylvain debate Canada’s “Big Five” fast-tracked federal projects and why agri-food...

In this episode of The Food Professor Podcast , hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois tackle the latest headlines shaping Canada’s food and retail landscape before welcoming back a dynamic entrepreneur reshaping the seafood category. The conversation begins with a heated national debate: should Canada eliminate the Temporary Foreign Worker Program? Sylvain outlines the program’s critica...

Season Six, Episode Two of The Food Professor Podcast , presented by Caddle, blends sharp industry commentary with a fascinating guest interview. Hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois kick off with a rapid-fire news roundup before diving deep into the global lobster story with award-winning journalist and author Greg Mercer . The news segment sets the tone with big changes in consumer p...

Season Six of The Food Professor Podcast , presented by Caddle, kicks off with hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois diving into a whirlwind of summer news, trade turbulence, and big-picture food industry shifts. This debut episode sets the tone for what promises to be a dynamic and thought-provoking season. Michael and Sylvain begin with personal updates from a busy summer, including t...

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast , Michael LeBlanc sits down with Brian Choi, CEO of The Food Institute , for a candid conversation recorded live at the SIAL Canada show. Born in Calgary and now based in New York, Brian brings a unique global perspective on food, trade, and the evolution of consumer behavior. Brian shares the remarkable story of how he acquired th...

In this flavour-packed episode of The Food Professor Podcast , recorded live at the SIAL Canada Food Innovation Show , Michael LeBlanc and Sylvain Charlebois welcome Dieter Heidegger of Moosbrugger , for an in-depth conversation about the art, tradition, and innovation behind Austria’s award-winning cheeses. Dieter shares the fascinating story of Moosbrugger’s humble beginnings, tracing its roots...

In this flavourful episode of The Food Professor Podcast , host Michael LeBlanc welcomes Shruti Priya Agarwal and Akshay Kalekar , the co-founders of Whipdd , a rising Canadian food startup transforming the humble butter into a flavour-packed experience. Born from a spark in a home kitchen in India, their story is one of culinary creativity, entrepreneurial hustle, and cross-continental ambition....

In this deliciously inspiring episode of The Food Professor Podcast , co-hosts Michael LeBlanc and Dr. Sylvain Charlebois sit down live in person in Toronto at the SIAL Food Innovation show with Tamara Al Dip and Yazeed Yasin , the dynamic husband-and-wife duo behind NanaShake , a frozen treat brand making waves with their vegan-friendly, upcycled banana-based pops. Fresh off their win at the SIAL...

In this sizzling episode of The Food Professor Podcast, recorded live at the SIAL Canada food innovation show in Toronto, co-hosts Michael and Sylvain welcome Pierre-Olivier Drouin, Co-Founder of Firebarns, the fast-growing Quebec-based condiment company that brings flavour-first hot sauces to shelves across North America. Pierre-Olivier shares his unexpected journey from banking at RBC to launchi...

In this live episode from the SIAL Canada show floor in Toronto, we welcome a very special guest: Laura Brehaut, Food Reporter at the National Post . With a thoughtful blend of experience in anthropology, media production, culinary training, and a deep journalistic instinct, Laura offers a compelling perspective on Canada's evolving food landscape and how stories around food intersect with culture...

In this special summer bonus episode of The Food Professor Podcast , co-Michael interviews Ed Madronich, President of Flat Rock Cellars , recorded live at the Ontario Craft Wineries Conference in Niagara Falls. As part of the podcast's summer series highlighting thought leaders in the Canadian food and beverage industry, this episode delves into Ed's personal and professional journey through the w...