CuliNEX Product Development Excellence

At this year's Expo West, we facilitated a tasty conversation and discussion, diving fork-first into the evolving landscape of sustainability in the food industry. Led by Kathy Stephenson, Sr. Director of Operations & Marketing, the panel included Thomas Vierhile VP of Strategic Insights at Innova Market Insights, and Webb Girard, Senior Director of R&D at CuliNEX. Their findings highlighted the complexities and trends shaping the food industry, where a total of 32% of all new food and beverage products launched in 2021-2022 carried some kind of clean label claim. https://hubs.li/Q02vS4Fr0

A recent success story comes from our collaboration with the US Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and how it's making waves in the food industry! The Challenge: The US Highbush Blueberry Commission aimed to boost highbush blueberry consumption by educating product developers on the versatility and benefits of blueberries in food products. Our Solution: At CuliNEX, we curated an immersive "Blueberry Bootcamp" experience for developers from top food manufacturers, held at our Innovation Center. This unique event featured: ???? Insightful product category education sessions ?? Tastings of various blueberry ingredients ?? Sampling of innovative blueberry consumer products ?? A culinary exploration in the vibrant city of Seattle ?? Hands-on development sessions to inspire new blueberry-based innovations The Outcome: This initiative fostered a deep connection between product developers and the myriad possibilities that blueberries offer. Participants left with a wealth of knowledge about blueberry applications, ready to explore new product innovations. ?? We're Seeking Insights! As we continue to push the boundaries of culinary innovation, we'd love to hear from you: Have you encountered any groundbreaking uses of blueberries in your products or dining experiences? What challenges do you face in incorporating unique ingredients into your product development? https://hubs.li/Q02s9YrT0 Join the conversation below or DM us to share your thoughts and experiences. Let's continue to innovate and inspire together! #BlueberryInnovation #FoodDevelopment #CuliNEX #CulinaryInnovation #IngredientImmersion

Nestled just south of Seattle lies the heart of culinary innovation - our 20,000 sq ft CuliNEX Innovation Center. Imagine a kitchen space where every appliance, from stoves to ovens, each counter, and every cupboard space isn't just filled with the latest commercial kitchen gadgets, but are also full of live-action culinary heroes. Our passionate team of Culinologists is the driving force behind our vibrant culinary hub, dedicating their days to spearheading food innovation projects, crafting groundbreaking product innovations for brands of all sizes, and venturing into the uncharted territories of the food future. With our origins as a culinary school, CuliNEX has reimagined our space into an icon for food innovation, home to a burgeoning team of culinary mavens and food science experts. Our mantra, "Working with us feels different," stems from the genuine inspiration we draw from our unique working environment - a testament to the transformative power of working in a nucleus of culinary excellence. If you're in the Pacific Northwest, we invite you to experience the magic firsthand. https://hubs.li/Q02rZ8q_0 #whatsculiNEXT #FoodInnovation #CleanLabel #FoodandBeverage #CulinaryArts #Culinology

Ever wondered where culinary arts meet food science? At CuliNEX, we're proud to introduce you to the world of Culinology??) a discipline pioneered by the Research Chefs Association and fully embraced by CuliNEX' founder and industry leader, Mark Crowell. Culinology combines the best of culinary and science disciplines to create innovative, scalable, and quite frankly, very tasty food products. Our team of Culinologists, leverage their training from prestigious institutions and major food corporations to maintain a leading edge in food product development. From our clean label toolkit to our mastery of flavor development, our work is driven by a passion for culinary excellence and scientific rigor. Our commitment to Culinology isn't just about creating great-tasting foods; it's about revolutionizing how we think about food production, ensuring safety and manufacturing efficiencies, all while creating a superior consumer taste experience. The results? Our client hero shelf is bursting with products that taste better because they're crafted by professionals who understand the science behind the flavor...and understand how to take a recipe all the way to the finish line of a manufactured product. Interested in learning more about how CuliNEX Culinologists can elevate your food products? Looking to collaborate with a team that prioritizes flavor first and scientific precision? We're here to turn your ideas into reality. ?? Let's Connect! Book a call with us today to explore how we can make a difference in your next project. https://hubs.li/Q02rZ3F40 #whatsculiNEXT #Culinology #FoodInnovation #CuliNEX #CulinaryArts #FoodScience #CleanLabel #TasteChampions #FoodandBeverage

?? We're Hiring: Business Development Representative @ CuliNEX ?? CuliNEX is on the hunt for a passionate and driven Business Development Representative to join our team in Tukwila, WA! If you're someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, loves the thrill of generating new business, and is passionate about creating a healthier planet through delicious clean label foods, we want to hear from you. What You'll Do: ?? Identify and qualify new business opportunities ?? Engage with potential clients through creative outreach ?? Collaborate with our dynamic sales team to drive our mission forward What You'll Receive: ? Salary: $81,000 - $89,000 Annually (OTE), with a generous commission structure ? Benefits: Comprehensive health coverage, 401(k) with 4% employer contribution, generous time off, and more ? Growth: $2,500 Annual Professional Development Allowance ? Flexibility: Hybrid work model to enhance work / life balance Who You Are: ?? A proactive, self-motivated individual with a knack for sales and a passion for food innovation ?? Tech-savvy, with experience in CRM software like Hubspot, and Microsoft's suite of products ?? A team player who values continuous learning, integrity, and making a positive impact Join Us: At CuliNEX, we're more than just a business; we're a tight-knit community dedicated to making a difference in the food industry. If you're ready to contribute to our success and grow with us, apply now and let's create something great together. ?? Apply Here: https://hubs.li/Q02rbYX80 Amplify Our Search: Know someone perfect for this role? Please tag them in the comments below! Also, consider sharing this post to help us find our next difference maker. Let's make an impact together. #Hiring #BusinessDevelopment #FoodInnovation #CuliNEXCareers #JoinOurTeam

Have you ever wondered what drives the trends and transformations in the natural and sustainable food industry? ?? ???? Our recent journey to the 2024 edition of the Natural Products Expo West offered the CuliNEX team unparalleled insights into the pulse of the food sector's future. With a gathering of over 65,000 attendees and 3,300 innovators, this event wasn't just a showcase; it was a deep dive into what's next for our plates. ??? Economic Tides Turning the Food Industry #ExpoWest wasn't all about the latest flavors and ingredients. The shadows of last year's economic turmoil, including the collapse of several key players, offered an instructive opportunity to learn while at the expo. These shifts have reshaped the funding landscape, leaving a clear message: resilience and strategic agility are more crucial than ever for those in the natural food space. Be the First to Know: Exclusive Insights Await Interested in uncovering more about emerging food trends and how they're shaping the future of food? We're putting the finishing touches on a comprehensive blog post that delves into these topics and more, straight from our experiences at Expo West. But here's the best part: Subscribers to our newsletter will get first access. If you're passionate about where our food comes from and where it's headed, you won't want to miss out. ?? Sign up for our newsletter now to be the first to read our full insights from Expo West 2024. https://hubs.li/Q02rc19-0 #CuliNEX #FoodProducts #Innovation #Trends

As our team reflects on an eventful Expo West, we're working hard to share some of the amazing stories, conversations, and memories from our eight CuliNEX teammates who made the trip to Anaheim, CA. We had tasty conversations with many of the 65,000 attendees, exchanging ideas and observations with leaders in the healthy food products industry. Developing innovative yet commercially viable products means gathering the right insights and formulating the right recipes to take ideas from concept to market and ultimately to the mouths of happy consumers. ?? Technical reviews ?? Ingredient sourcing ?? Benchtop prototypes ?????? Sensory evaluation ?? Contract manufacturing search ?? Consumer testing From our booth, we had an interesting chat regarding the development of WanderLish, which offers a mosaic of globally-inspired refrigerated meals. CuliNEX VP of Marketing + Operations, Kathy Stephenson, facilitated the discussion with a top-notch panel including Jason Roche of Bob Evans Farms and Amy Shipley of Sterling-Rice Group. As we finalize the audio recording of that conversation, we can't help but share this short clip. If you don't want to miss the full conversation as soon as it becomes available, sign up for the CuliNEX newsletter, which offers lots of delicious information around food product and culinary innovation. https://hubs.li/Q02q-rYj0 #CuliNEX #ExpoWestFoodShow #FoodExpo #Snacks #FoodTour #California #PlantBased

Spotted ?? at #ExpoWest: #SimpleMills ?? is on a mission to revolutionize the way food is made to nourish people ???????? and planet ?? #whatsculiNEXT #innovation #foodandbeverage #tasteexperience

Ever wondered what marshmallows infused with meringue tastes like? Enter Sh'mallow. Learn more about this amazing product from the floor of #ExpoWest

Not at #ExpoWest and experiencing FOMO? Our team is sharing fun content outlining what we're seeing, smelling, and tasting, all from the showroom floor. Be sure to check out our social channels daily for ?? #flavorful content featuring industry leaders and insights #whatsculiNEXT #ExpoWest2024 #cleanlabel #agriculture #innovation #foodandbeverage