SKUFood Recipes for Success

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Jake Karls, the unapologetically authentic and refreshingly relatable Co-founder & Chief Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares, the good-for-you chocolate brand that went from a Montreal condo kitchen to tens of millions of bars sold across thousands of retail stores.

Jake brings a no-BS approach to brand building. For him, the real differentiator isn’t just product innovation—it’s human connection, consistent storytelling, and having the courage to be fully yourself in a crowded category. As Mid-Day Squares scaled from idea to retail reality, Jake played a pivota...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Jeff Lahey, Co-Founder & COO of Humble Chips, the brand turning organic potatoes and a sustainability-first mindset into a movement in snack food. With more than 20 years of experience across Frito-Lay, Guru Organic Energy, and Amplify Snack Brands (SkinnyPop), Jeff brings deep industry insight and a mission to create snacks that are good for consumers and the planet.

Jeff and his co-founder saw a major gap in the “better-for-you” space, plenty of snacks claimed clean ingredients, but almost none tackled the growing issue of packaging waste and...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Mitchell Scott, co-founder & CEO of The Better Butchers, a Canadian brand building the next generation of meat alternatives. 

Mitchell comes with deep experience in the food industry, he previously co-founded another major alternative-protein brand and now is on a mission to remove animals from the food chain while building purpose-driven CPG brands. 
In our conversation, Mitchell shares how The Better Butchers uses mushroom-based proteins and mycelium technology to craft sustainable meat alternatives, how they plan to launch cultivated/fermented meat products, and how they’re p...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Natalie Frederick-Wilson, Business Advisor at the Centre for Women in Business and program lead for SPICE – the Specialized Program in Cooking Entrepreneurship.

With a focus on empowering under-represented women—particularly Black Nova Scotian, Indigenous, immigrant, and newcomer entrepreneurs—Natalie shares how SPICE helps food founders turn their passion for cooking into sustainable, scalable businesses. From accessing commercial kitchens to understanding food safety regulations and navigating co-packing partnerships, she reveals the practical supports and community connections that help level the playing field in Canada’s food industry...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Pedja Radjenović, a CPG strategist who helps founders transform their brand stories into strategies that actually sell.

After building multi-million dollar brands at Molson Coors and Carlsberg, Pedja discovered that the difference between a good product and a great brand comes down to one thing, how well you tell your story. With experience leading brand growth across borders, he understands the nuances of positioning, messaging, and selling in different markets.

Today, Pedja works with food and beverage founders to sharpen their positioning, clarify t...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Han Yue, co-founder of OHME! Foods. OHME! Foods is a Vancouver-based brand redefining what healthy snacking can be.

With backgrounds in healthcare, Jenny and Han witnessed firsthand how small, daily habits can transform long-term well-being. As busy professionals and parents, they struggled to find snacks that were both nourishing and truly enjoyable, so they made their own. What began as a kitchen experiment with freeze-dried fruit quickly grew into a brand with a mission to make healthy snacking joyful, convenient, and delicious.

Today, OHME!’s...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Red Seal Chef Sarah Bennetto O’Brien, founder of The Handpie Company, makers of chef-crafted, savory personal handpies that bring quality, local ingredients, and real flavor to Atlantic Canada’s frozen food aisles.

Launched in 2017 with a mission to create grab-and-go meals that don’t compromise on taste or integrity, The Handpie Company uses real butter, Island beef, potatoes, and more. Every pie is chef-made in a CFIA-licensed production facility, ensuring consistent quality in every bite.

Sarah shares how she turned a love of local...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we sit down with Tom, the driving force behind Healthy Berries Ltd. and the vision behind Superfruit Purée.

With over 40 years in the food industry, Tom’s leadership philosophy is simple yet powerful: give people the targets and tools they need—and then trust them to succeed. That mindset has helped him build a passionate team dedicated not only to innovation but also to keeping the business focused on long-term profitability.

We explore the journey of Superfruit Purée, a unique product made from wild blueberries using...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Joshua Counsil, engineer-turned-entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and co-founder of Good Robot Brewing and The Beverage Factory.

Raised by murder mystery dinner theatre owners, Joshua brings a unique blend of creativity, strategy, and storytelling to the world of food and beverage. In 2014, he and his friends left behind their engineering careers to launch Good Robot Brewing, a quirky brewpub in the North End of Halifax that has since grown into three award-winning hospitality venues and a wholesale brand recognized across Canada.
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In this episode of Recipes for Success, we’re joined by Gary Hughes, Local Program Specialist at Sobeys, who has spent over 27 years growing with the company and building a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in grocery retail.

Gary began his career as a clerk at a Garden Market IGA and worked his way up to Store Manager, before moving into buying and category management roles overseeing multiple categories across Sobeys, Safeway, and IGA in Western Canada. In 2017, he joined the newly created Field Merchandising team with a mission close to...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Kristyn Carriere, co-founder of 7 Summits Snacks and a food innovator with over a decade of experience shaping some of the world’s best-known chocolate brands. Before launching her own venture, Kristyn worked in Europe with global leaders including Cadbury, Milka, Green & Black’s, and Godiva, where she mastered the art of product development and international market launches.

In 2019, Kristyn returned to Canada and, alongside her sister Leanna, created 7 Summits Snacks, a women-owned Canadian brand that merges performance nutrition with premium chocolate. What star...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Nancy Tregunno, a seasoned food
scientist and founder of Tregunno Food Solutions, who has spent over 30 years helping food and beverage companies develop products, optimize processes, and make smarter packaging decisions.

Nancy brings a rare blend of scientific expertise and real-world experience, supporting small to mid-sized businesses as they navigate everything from formulation to food-package interactions. Lately, her work has focused on one of the industry’s most talked-about topics: sustainable packaging.

With a practical and evidence-based perspective, Nancy shares how food companies ca...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we dive into the powerful role of data in the fresh food industry with Mike Mauti, at Execulytics Consulting. With over 25 years of experience in Canadian retail—most notably in senior leadership at Loblaw—Mike brings a wealth of knowledge on how analytics, execution, and strategy intersect to drive measurable success in the grocery sector.

Mike shares how Execulytics helps fresh food suppliers, producers, and brands make smarter, faster decisions through tools like The Produce Report: Canada, Produce DNA, and Efficient Consumer Surveys. His work...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Kyla King—certified Red Seal Chef, food entrepreneur, and founder of Rad Jamz & Preserves Inc. and Rad Relish Co. Based in West Kelowna, BC, Kyla has taken her culinary training from Michelin-starred kitchens and turned it into a purpose-driven local business that’s now on shelves in over 200 Canadian retailers.

Raised in East Kelowna on a farm steeped in preserving traditions, Kyla’s childhood pantry was filled with freezer jam, home-canned peaches, and tomato sauces—never store-bought. That early connection to food and flav...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we’re joined by Emily Nichols, a manufacturing engineer and founder of Connect Better Inc. Growing up on a farm, Emily developed a deep appreciation for the food industry and hands-on problem solving. She later honed her skills working at Quaker, gaining valuable experience in food manufacturing and operations.
Drawing from her engineering background and experience as a keynote speaker and emcee, Emily specializes in helping organizations strengthen the human skills—connection, communication, and creativity—that are essential for success in today’s technical workplaces. She shares insights on how food business...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we’re joined by Rochelle Edwards from Calgary Economic Development, Manager of the Trade Accelerator Program (TAP). Rochelle brings a unique perspective as both a passionate supporter of small and medium-sized food businesses and an entrepreneur herself, having founded Tribal Vanilla, a company specializing in premium vanilla products. Drawing from her own experience growing a specialty food brand, Rochelle now helps food producers and other SMEs develop export strategies and expand into international markets.

Together, we explore how TAP equips entrepreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks needed to navigate th...

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we head to Prince Edward Island to explore the unique world of dairy with Lee Turner, National Sales Manager at Amalgamated Dairies Limited (ADL). With over a decade at ADL and nearly 15 years of advocacy for local food and beverage in Atlantic Canada, Lee shares how a cooperative rooted in community has built a national presence on grocery shelves across the country.

Lee reflects on his role in launching ADL’s Dairy Isle brand and the importance of strong partnerships with major retailers li...

Sweet supply: berries, borders and the terminal market flow

In this episode of SKUFood Recipes for Success, we speak with Anthony Bisogno, a seasoned leader in Canada’s fresh produce industry. From his early days on the floor of the Ontario Food Terminal to managing some of the most high-value produce categories like berries, grapes and stone fruit. 

Anthony offers a behind-the-scenes look at the complex world of berry importing, where success depends not only on global sourcing relationships but also on how well you manage the unpredictable. From frost-damaged crops in...

In this episode of Recipes for Success, we sit down with Karl Wirtz, President of WG Corporate, to explore the vital but often misunderstood world of co-packing in the food industry. With decades of experience helping brands find packaging solutions from concept to shelf, Karl shares invaluable insights into what makes a successful co-packing partnership and why more food businesses are turning to experts like WG Corporate to bring their visions to market efficiently and effectively.

This episode is packed with strategic advice, operational wisdom and real world examples, demystifying the...

Welcome to Recipe for Success! In this episode, we’re excited to feature Carzan Local Meats, a family-owned business from Southey, Saskatchewan, dedicated to producing premium grass-fed beef and jerky products. Founded on the principles of sustainability and regenerative ranching, Carzan has become known for its locally raised meats and innovative flavour offerings in their growing jerky business.

Join us as we delve into their journey with Carter and Carmen, from their family roots to their commitment to providing top-tier products that reflect their passion for sustainability and community.

Get ready to hear the inspiring st...

Welcome to "Recipe for Success," the podcast that explores the journeys of trailblazers in the food industry. In this episode, we're thrilled to feature Ameen Fadel, Cofounder and President of Cedar Valley, a Canadian food manufacturer known for its authentic style pita chips made with better-for-you ingredients.

Ameen's entrepreneurial journey began at just 16 years old as a high school project. Together with his mother, he has transformed Cedar Valley into a fast-growing business, employing 16 people at their 5000 sq ft facility in Windsor, Ontario. The company has gained national recognition, appearing on CBC’s Dragons’ Den and earning acco...

In this episode we are joined by Cheryl Donnelly, Senior Market Development Officer at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). With 14 years of experience in international affairs at AAFC, Cheryl has been instrumental in driving market development strategies and initiatives in regions such as the EU and the Middle East. Her expertise extends to leading the modernization of AAFC's Canada Brand Program, aimed at promoting Canadian agri-food and seafood products on the global stage.

Cheryl has a proven track record of success, having led e-commerce and digital marketing campaigns in Japan and Vietnam as part of launching the...

In this episode, we're privileged to sit down with Eric, a seasoned leader with four decades of experience in the food and beverage industry.

With thirty-three years on the retail side, Eric has honed his skills in distribution center operations, health and safety, process improvement, and more. His diverse expertise spans from quality assurance to procurement, bringing a wealth of knowledge to the table.

But Eric's journey doesn't stop there. For seven years, he's lent his talents to the supplier side, excelling in sales and marketing roles. His contributions extend beyond individual companies...

In today's episode, we have the Kilted Chef, Alain Bosse grace our virtual kitchen. With his signature attire and boundless culinary creativity, the Kilted Chef has become a beloved figure in the culinary world. He has charmed audiences far and wide as an Ambassador of Atlantic Canadian Food and his unique culinary flair.

Get ready for a delightful conversation filled with anecdotes, insights, and perhaps a dash of tartan charm as the Kilted Chef shares his passion for food, culture, and the joy of bringing people together through the universal language of cooking. Whether you're a seasoned...

In this episode, we're delighted to sit down with Carly, a culinary innovator on a mission to elevate kitchen experiences through the power of mustard. As she embarked on her journey towards obtaining her Red Seal Certification, Carly discovered the transformative potential of mustard as a culinary secret weapon. With a simple spoonful, she realized how mustard could effortlessly elevate familiar dishes to new heights of flavor and complexity.

Drawing on her expertise as a trained chef, Carly has embarked on an entrepreneurial venture, carving out a niche in the local food market for high-quality mustard. Her...

In this episode, we sit down with Shivani Dhamija, the founder of Shivani's Kitchen, a company that's been making waves in the world of ethnic food products. Join us as we explore Shivani's entrepreneurial journey, from establishing her CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) certified facility in 2020 to the remarkable progress she's made since.

Discover the secrets behind Shivani's success in manufacturing authentic and delicious ethnic products for grocery stores. Learn about the challenges she faced, the milestones she achieved, and the passion that drives her to bring the flavors of her culture to a broader audience.

In this episode, we're joined by the founder of The Oat Company, Pat Griffin. Pat takes us through his unexpected journey from having no background in food or business ownership to becoming a leader in the natural foods industry, all based in St. John's, NL.

Discover the unique story of how Pat's personal quest for wholesome snacks, amidst the chaos of family, career, and a bustling schedule, led him to create something truly special. Faced with a lack of healthy options without unnecessary additives, he decided to craft his own snacks and share them with the world...

In this episode, prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure as we’re joined by Sarah and Dave from Big Cove Foods. They share the story of leaving the bustle of Toronto for the serene Northern Shore of Nova Scotia. What started as a short stay at a 250 year old farmhouse turned into a decade long adventure of building a life and a business. 

Discover the philosophy behind their culinary creations, centered around making cooking easy and fun for everyone. It’s time to unleash your inner chef and rock your taste buds with attention grabbing flavo...

In this episode, we sit down with Nada, the force behind "Mother May I," a local Alberta hummus company that sprouted from her journey into motherhood. Nada's story is a testament to the transformative power of real food and the incredible adventures that can unfold when passion meets purpose.

Join us as Nada shares the pivotal moment when, as a new mother, she realized the importance of introducing soft, nutritious food early on. Disappointed by the lack of clean ingredient hummus options in local stores, she took matters into her own hands, literally. What started as a...

Join us in this inspiring episode with Hannah, the founder of Snak Bakery. A passionate advocate for wholesome living and mindful consumption, Hannah shares her journey of transforming a simple idea into a guilt-free pleasure. 

Hannah’s love for delightful treats merged with her commitment to healthier, high-quality ingredients brings the story of Snak Bakery to life. 

Get ready to hear about the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship and Hannah’s commitment to make snacking a celebration of well being on SKUFood Recipes for Success podcast, presented by FCC.

In this mouthwatering episode, we sit down with Chris, co-owner alongside his wife Kristy at Sweetness Sugar cookies. Chris, who jokingly refers to himself as a retired teacher, brings over 20 years of sales experience. 

Learn how Chris and Kristy balance running a business together, and discover the lessons Chris has gathered along the way. From managing millions in national and regional sales, looking after sales and distribution, he is also involved in off-shore purchasing, in/out-bound logistics, and reaching everything on high shelves.

Tune in to hear the secret ingredients behind turning a passion for b...

The food and beverage industry impacts everyone. There is always something happening that impacts producers, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers. SKUFood Recipes for Success podcast tells the story of what is happening and why. 

Our guests will be people from one end of the value chain to the other.  We will discuss what they are working on and how it impacts the store shelf and what goes into the shopping cart. People want to know more about the food and beverage products they take home to share with family and friends. 

Host Peter Chapman has wor...