Solving R&D problems with Davis Jaeger, R&D Leader, Culinary Expert and Food Scientist | Ep. 92
Release Date: 07/17/2024
That's a Food Job!
In episode one of our HR-Miniseries we are talking about what hiring managers actually look for, how to approach resumes and interviews, and realistic ways that students can build experience and momentum as they start their careers. Nicolas Pretorius is Talent Acquisition Manager at Highliner Foods, one of North America’s leading processors of frozen, added-value seafood. In this conversation, you'll learn: What hiring managers actually look for on an entry-level resume Why soft skills often separate candidates more than technical ones How to use the skill bucket resume format with limited...
info_outlineThat's a Food Job!
Enea Lelaj is a Confectionery Specialist at Tilray Brands, working at the intersection of food science, product development, and one of Canada’s fastest‑changing industries. In this episode of That’s a Food Job!, Enea shares how his path into food science was anything but planned. Starting in chemistry at Toronto Metropolitan University, he followed curiosity into a food research lab and discovered a field that combined science, creativity, and real‑world impact. Today, Enea develops gummies, chocolates, and tablets infused with active cannabinoids. He talks candidly about what real...
info_outlineThat's a Food Job!
Domenique Mastronardi is President of Beck's Bone Broth, a Canadian food startup bringing bone broth-based lattes to market — blending comfort, wellness, and innovation for retailers across Canada. In this episode of That's a Food Job!, Domenique shares her journey from engineering student to co-leading one of Canada's most creative emerging food startups. She opens up about what entrepreneurship really looks like behind the scenes — navigating uncertainty, balancing structure with creativity, and learning to trust your intuition. --- --- is Food and Beverage Ontario’s...
info_outlineThat's a Food Job!
Talha Rashid is a Continuous Improvement Manager at Handi Foods Ltd., a Canadian food manufacturer specializing in crackers and better‑for‑you snack products supplied to major retailers across North America. In this episode of That’s a Food Job!, Talha breaks down what a continuous improvement career looks like in food manufacturing and how data, teamwork, and problem‑solving drive real change on the production floor. He explains how organizations identify inefficiencies, reduce waste, and improve productivity without compromising quality. --- --- is Food and Beverage...
info_outlineThat's a Food Job!
In this special solo episode, Veronica breaks down something that often gets overlooked — what the food and beverage processing industry actually is, and just how many career paths exist within it. If you've ever stood in a grocery store aisle and wondered how all those products got there, this one's for you! --- is Food and Beverage Ontario’s multi‑year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out for more information on jobs,...
info_outlineThat's a Food Job!
Salma Fotovat is the Co-Founder & Sourcing & Procurement Director at Riverside Natural Foods, Ltd. - Home of MadeGood. They are a Canadian-owned company that specializes in creating healthy, allergy-friendly snacks She shares her insights on the complexities of product development in the dairy industry. She discusses the importance of collaboration, the challenges of optimizing established products, and the innovative processes involved in launching new products. Pratisha emphasizes the significance of curiosity, human connections, and networking in her career journey, providing...
info_outlineThat's a Food Job!
Pratistha Banerjee is a Product Development and Commercialization Manager at Darigold, a global supplier of dairy and specialty food products. Pratistha shares insights into her role, emphasizing that food product development is not just about flavor but also about functional ingredients, supplier collaboration, and navigating complex operational and regulatory requirements in the dairy industry. She discusses the challenges of optimizing existing products and taking new product ideas from concept to plant launch, as well as what innovation truly means in a large food company. Pratistha...
info_outlineThat's a Food Job!
What does a Product Development Specialist actually do in meat manufacturing? Leslie Herbas Marañon is a Product Development Specialist at Ascona Food Group, a global supplier of customized dry blends, edible films, and casings for the meat industry. With over 10 years across production, quality management, and R&D in Bolivia and Canada, she brings a hands-on, formulation-first approach to every project. --- Shownotes: --- Explore food industry careers with CareersNOW!: --- CareersNOW! is Food and Beverage Ontario’s multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting...
info_outlineThat's a Food Job!
Mohammad Kathawala, a senior project engineer at Agri-Neo, explains what it takes to work in food safety engineering. He describes how project engineers translate technology into systems that work in real food processing environments, often across global operations. Mohammad shares how his engineering background led him into the food industry, what his role looks like day to day, and why communication and continuous improvement matter as much as technical skill. The conversation also covers how food safety technology is changing and what students and early-career engineers should know before...
info_outlineThat's a Food Job!
Explore food industry careers with CareersNOW!: https://careersnow.ca/ Jayana Kaiprath is the Talent Acquisition Manager at Give & Go Prepared Foods, helping students and professionals land their next opportunity in the food industry. Give & Go Prepared Foods, part of the Mondelēz family of brands, makes iconic treats like two-bite® brownies and supports employee growth at every stage of their career. --- --- 🧠 : 📙 : 💭 --- CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST 💼 🌐 💼 📸 CONNECT WITH US 🐦 📸 🎵 💼 :
info_outlineDavis Jaeger is a R&D Leader, Culinary Expert and Food Scientist. He has had a winding career path up until this point. Davis began working in the hospitality industry at the young age of 14, starting as a busboy. However, his career took a turn when he transitioned to the kitchen after one of the chefs resigned and another chef invited him to join the kitchen staff. That's how he ended up in the culinary science program at Clemson University. Since then, his passion for food science has only grown, and he has not regretted his decision for a moment.
🔍 Episode Highlights:
▪ Challenges and failures Davis faced along the way
▪ The necessity of gaining manufacturing plant experience
▪ The difficulties of collaboration in research
▪ The skill of communicating technical details to non-technical stakeholders
▪ Asking good questions to get a problem solved
Davis's / Instagram / LinkedIn
TIMESTAMPS
(0:00) - Introduction
(2:30) - Davis's career journey
(16:50) - Switching between R&D expertise (meat to confectionery)
(24:15) - Imporance of manufacturing plant experience
(34:39) - How to ask questions in the workplace
(36:56) - How to demonstrate you can solve problems in an interview
(40:14) - Davis talks about his failures and challenges in the workplace
(52:20) Skills important to individuals looking to go into R&D
(55:40) Outro
WHEN YOU'RE READY
📖 Explore FoodGrads Career Guides (Ebooks)
📜 Get Career Advice (Blog)
CONNECT
SPONSORS
CareersNow! is Food and Beverage Ontario’s multi-year workforce development initiative that is connecting students and job seekers with employers in Ontario’s food and beverage processing industry for exciting career opportunities. Check out CareersNow.ca for more information on exciting jobs, career information, industry mentors and training opportunities for professional development.
SAY THANKS
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts