The judging panel for the 2021 World Food Innovation Awards, in association with the International Food & Drink Event, has been announced.
They include recognised and reputable names from across the international food and beverage industry and between them, they will decide between all entries to this year’s World Food Innovation Awards.
There are 26 trophies to be won in total, and being shortlisted provides a hallmark of success that will prevail long after the awards draw to a close. To find out more information, including how to enter, click here.
A full list of the 2021 judges can be seen below.
Marc Matsumoto Culinary Creator & Advisor, No Recipes
Marc Matsumoto is an F&B consultant and culinary creator operating at the junction of food, marketing, and media.
With over two decades of consumer marketing experience, Marc started out in the technology space at companies such as Netflix and Nokia before transitioning to food in 2009. Having worked in the US, Japan, Australia, and the Middle East, Marc has an intimate understanding of consumer tastes and trends worldwide.
Currently residing in Tokyo, Japan, Marc leverages his experience and network to spot emerging trends while helping clients achieve product/market fit abroad.
When he’s not working behind the scenes, Marc hosts NHK World’s Bento Expo, introducing English-speaking television audiences to the delightful art of Japanese bento. He also publishes the food blog and YouTube channel No Recipes, where he teaches every day cooks how to elevate their meals using easy to follow techniques.
Click here to view Marc’s LinkedIn profile
Suzanne van den Eshof Global Marketing Director Food & Beverages, FrieslandCampina Ingredients
Suzanne van den Eshof is Global Marketing Director at FrieslandCampina Ingredients Food & Beverages, the global leader in indulgent coffee, (milk) tea and cake ingredients. Suzanne has been passionate about food innovation ever since she started out in Kitchen Appliances more than 15 years ago, before getting closer to the food core at FrieslandCampina Ingredients. She feels that innovation brings limitless opportunities to meet ever-evolving consumer & customer needs, while at the same time shaping a better world.
At FrieslandCampina, Suzanne supports customers with understanding powerful consumer insights and address them with relevant solutions in a beneficial way for the consumer, the customer, and the planet. Her continuous drive to stay curious about future trends not only guides customers in staying ahead of the curve, but also gives back to the industry in myriad ways, such as the FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ annual trend report.
Click here to view Suzanne’s LinkedIn profile
Louis Bedwell Co-founder & Head of Operations, Mission Ventures
Louis is a co-founder and Head of Operations at Mission Ventures, the UK’s leading Food and Drink accelerator. With over 80 years of industry experience, the Mission Ventures team are the trusted partner for some of the industries leading brands and impact investors. These include Warburtons, Guy’s and St Thomas’ Charity and Big Society Capital. Over the past 5-years, Mission Ventures have launched over 100 brands into the UK market.
At Mission Ventures, Louis leads on the delivery of the Good Food Fund, a prototype venture fund and accelerator that aims to bring healthier challenger brands to market. For this programme, Louis was named one a Post-pioneer by the Financial Times backed publisher, Sifted.
Before Mission Ventures, Louis was community manager at Bathtub 2 Boardroom and helped build the incubator into one of London’s most respected centres for start-up support.
Click here to view Louis’ LinkedIn profile
Mella Frewan Director General, FoodDrinkEurope
Mella Frewen is Director General of FoodDrinkEurope, representing Europe’s largest manufacturing industry.
Her previous positions include Director for Government Affairs EMEA at Monsanto and Director, International Relations for the Eridania Béghin-Say and Ferruzzi Groups.
Ms. Frewen has represented the food industry in numerous Advisory and Standing Committees of the EU Commission; she is member of the Commission’s High-Level Steering Board for the European Innovation Partnership for Agricultural Productivity, and of the EU Commission’s High-Level Group for Sustainable Development. She is also a member of the Scientific Jury for the EU’s Competition for Young Scientists. Ms. Frewen is Vice President of the FAO/OECD Advisory Group for Responsible Business Conduct along Agricultural Supply Chains and is involved in several food industry-related Boards.
She has worked in the Agri-food sector in Europe for close to 30 years. She has a Master of Science degree from the National University of Ireland and worked as a post-graduate at the University of Brussels (ULB). She also holds a Harvard certificate on Agribusiness and an INSEAD certificate on International Operations Management.
Click here to view Mella’s LinkedIn profile
María Mascaraque Insight Manager for Food and Nutrition, Euromonitor
María is a Global Industry Manager at Euromonitor International with a focus on Food and Nutrition. Based in London, she has more than 8 years of experience in the industry.
María drives the content and quality of Euromonitor’s global food industry research, provides global expertise and forward-thinking insights and identifies latest product developments and key market trends.
María advises clients on food and nutrition trends and has a special interest in the dairy industry, plant-based eating and health and wellness trends. She holds a PhD in Nutrition from Complutense University, Spain.
Click here to view Maíra’s LinkedIn profile
Silvia D’Alesio Food Packaging Designer and Engineer
Silvia D’Alesio is a food packaging designer and an international speaker on food innovation, leading several projects regarding the development of new food and beverage products.
Her professional career began within the university environment, where she obtained the BSc. in Food Sciences and Technology and later the International MSc. on Food Innovation and Product Design.
Currently, she works in NABA (Milan) as Professor of Brand Strategy and as Food Packaging Consultant. She also collaborated with the prestigious Netherlands Packaging Centre (NVC), being an active contributor to the ‘web retail packaging’ and ‘design packaging for intended use’ projects; and with Seeds&Chips, the food innovation global summit, building awareness about the importance of implementing innovation in the food supply chain.
Her motto is ‘lead people to live in a positive environment through a resilient and creative way’.
Click here to view Silvia’s LinkedIn profile
Eric-Alan Rapp Partner, Vækstfonden
Eric-Alan Rapp is a partner investing in sustainable AgroFoodtech companies at Vækstfonden (VF), the sovereign Danish investment fund. At VF, Eric-Alan Rapp applies his personal and professional passion for the intersection of food, data and impact to focus on investments in Ag, FoodTech and the food supply chain.
He currently serves on the Boards of foodtech portfolio companies Agro Intelligence, Nordic Harvest and Plant Jammer. Prior to joining VF, Eric-Alan served four years as Co-founder and CEO of Homemate ApS, a multi-channel Copenhagen-based consumer food company.
A co-founder of Nordic-based venture capital investor Sunstone Capital (now Heartcore), Eric-Alan’s experience includes more than 25 years in the areas of start-up, venture capital and corporate finance from both Europe and the United States.
Click here to view Eric-Alan’s LinkedIn profile
Stefania Pérez Beltrán New Product Development Manager, Team Foods
Gastronomy and marketing expert, working and living in Bogotá, Colombia. Interested in food innovation, culture, consumers and food industry environment.
Stefania attended Universidad de La Sabana in Bogotá reaching her professional Gastronomy degree and CESA/ESIC Business School in Madrid, Spain for the Marketing master’s degree.
During her professional background and experience; she has worked with the largest dairy company in Colombia (Alpina) in R&D and Marketing & Innovation areas; understanding consumer needs and creating the best product alternatives.
Stefania has developed and designed the innovation and product process for the largest Fast Food chain in Colombia (Corral-Grupo Nutresa), creating through culinary ingredients. Today, she is working with Alianza Team as NPD project manager developing a new food portfolio.
Her approach to food environment is inspired by cultural roots, people and innovation. For example, ingredients and diversity allowing the entrance to create a world full of alternatives calling us to indulge our senses.
Click here to view Stefania’s LinkedIn profile
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