Flavor University Podcast

Join McCormick Flavor Solution experts Jordan Carfagno, Sarah Malphrus, and Gina Walter to celebrate 3.14 and explore the history, evolution, and potential of pie in this special Pi(e) Day episode. The team connects nostalgia, consumer insights, and technical strategy to show how pie continues to inspire cross-category innovation.

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In this episode, host Randee Donovan is joined by Product Manager, Carrie Rock and Associate Scientist, Hannah Subgrunski for a hands‑on flavor adventure inspired by McCormick’s Fresh Fruit Flavors Deep Dive Guide. Discover why “wild,” “regional,” and blended fruits are redefining familiarity, and how science and creativity combine to spark the next innovation in food and beverage.

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In this episode we explore how flavor and enjoyment play a critical role in building sustainable wellness routines. Regulatory Affairs Manager, Courtney Wachtel and Associate Product Manager, Angelo David share personal and professional stories on balance, motivation, and mindfulness to reveal why healthy habits are likely to last longer when they taste good. Discover the emotional power of flavor in Health & Nutrition product development and beyond, and uncover what it really means to make wellness both consistent and satisfying.

Podcast Episode 53: The Secret Sauce: Driving Flavor Innovation

In this episode, host Randee Donovan explores the flavorful world of sauces, dressings, dips, and spreads with Product Development Scientist Erika James, and Senior Product Manager Roger Lane. They uncover how these everyday condiments drive innovation and identity. Join us as we reveal the secret sauce that keeps consumers coming back for more.

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In this episode we explore how the food industry defines and creates benchmarks for flavor perfection using gold standards. Paul Hoffman, Senior Scientist, reveals how sensory, culinary, and flavor experts collaborate to identify the best versions of products, ingredients and recipes and translate them into a shared language. Tune in to understand how aligning with these benchmarks can deliver authenticity, consistency and emotional resonance which is true gold when it comes to great flavor.

Join Randee Donovan and Dr. Elizabeth Clark as they explore how culture, generation, and science shape our love for spicy food. From global flavor trends and pop culture, to the chemistry behind heat perception, this episode dives into what makes spicy food so fascinating — and how you can develop products for consumers’ spicy-hot cravings. Listen now and spice up your perspective!

Skip ahead to hear:

19:00 – “What makes heat?”

26:45 – How to measure heat

41:00 - Heat delivery factors

In this episode, our host, Randee Donovan, talks with Laura Partida, Principal Flavorist, and Jason Mittelheuser, Sr. Principal Scientist. They explore how congruent flavors help create harmony in product formulations. Discover how the right complementary flavors can be an advantage to support taste attributes within a difficult product base, how "approachable adventure" is used to build complexity in the taste experience, and beyond!

In this episode, our new host, Randee Donovan, sits down with Annelieke Van Ooij, Product Development Director, and Alex Brewer, Regulatory Affairs Director, as they guide us through all things product reformulation. From increased synthetic dye bans and ongoing FDA updates, shifting regulations are forcing brands to rethink their product formulation. Our experts break down today’s evolving regulatory landscape and provide technical guidance that will help you formulate without compromising on taste.

In this episode, we chat with Executive Chef Hadar Cohen Aviram and Product Manager Carrie Rock about all things Flavor Forecast. What will be the next trend to shake up your products and your consumers? From Tropical Vibes to the layered complexity of Charred and Smoked, our experts explore the trends that will shape the way we all flavor, cook and eat in the upcoming year and beyond. Plus, discover the ways the 2025 Flavor of the Year is heating things up!

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Robert Cannon, Director of Analytical Sciences, and Hedy Kulka, Principal Flavorist, as they chat all things citrus. They break down the nuances of different citrus fruits, methods of production, and how they can be utilized in product development. Stick around to hear some of the challenges that come with citrus and how citrus fruits can be used to support taste challenges.

In this episode, we sit down with Jared Turetsky, Senior Product Manager, and Jill Breiner, Senior Principal Scientist, as they chat all things seasoning. They break down how complex seasonings are and the different applications that can be enhanced with seasonings. Stick around to hear some cool trends that they are seeing and hear about the solutions that seasonings can provide to product development.

In this episode, Corey wraps up his last episode as host and introduces our new host (and this episode’s guest) Dr. AJ Taylor, Scientist II, Innovation. They will be discussing all things chocolate and how complex chocolate flavor can be. They dive into the origins of chocolate, changes and updates in the chocolate world, and eventually taste some single origin, specialty chocolates as well!

Are there flavor pairings that outshine classics like chocolate or vanilla? Which flavor combinations are more enticing than singular profiles? In this episode, we chat with Stephany Peña, Associate Customer Marketing Manager, and Izzy Granowicz, Associate Scientist, about our data-driven take on flavor pairing strategy—Approachable Adventure—to discover what flavors are truly 'Better Together.' Tune in as we explore surprising insights, creative flavor pairings, and the trends shaping how we experience taste. 

For food and beverage companies looking to drive a more sustainable product and brand, it can be hard to make meaningful sustainability goals, implement effective strategies and evaluate their impact. In this episode, Marketing Manager, Corporate ESG & Sustainability Emma Gladstone and Senior Director Global Sustainability Kathy Rostkowski give practical advice on how to drive an effective sustainable platform – one that benefits the planet, consumers, and your organization’s business growth. Learn about the interconnectivity of environmental and social responsibility and the ways to drive a more sustainable future for you and your products.  

In this episode, we speak with Thomas Kountz, a Clean Flavor Chemist, and Sarah Hager, Director of Business Development, and discuss how to address business needs for clean labels using agricultural spices and herbs, extracts, and natural and organic flavors. They also delve into solving formulation issues through specialized technologies. Tune in to learn more about this dynamic consumer space and the innovative formulation solutions for this challenging environment! 

In this episode, we dig in for a taste of indulgent flavors!  Join Food Scientist and indulgent food junkies Rob Bowen & Paul Hoffman as they discuss their favorite foods & flavors and what makes them indulgent. Listen in to learn how YOU can turn your bland into grand! 

In this episode, we dive into all things vitamins, minerals and supplements with Health & Nutrition Senior Scientist, Beth Julian, and Product Manager, Katie Tamburo. This duo of experts walk through the supplement development process and the trends that inspire the flavors. For example, did you know that berry and citrus flavors are most popular in a variety of gummy supplements? Tune in to discover the insights of the supplement space.

In this episode, we speak with Pamela Oscarson, Senior Consumer & Market Insights Manager, as she explores how she keeps her pulse on industry trends and a quick flash into what micro trends we are keeping a closer eye on this year. We discuss the top-rated consumer trends: cooking at home, functional foods and beverages, clean label, and global tastes—where we are spotting them and how flavor plays a role. Tune in to see a flash into our favorite trends for this year!

In this episode, we dive into the influences shaping the alcohol space with Senior Beverage Scientist, Vanessa Chavez and Beverage Product Manager, Chloe Morris. The pair covers the latest trends within spiked sips, including classic, well-loved tastes, amplified alcohol notes, unique mixology techniques, and more. For instance, did you know that flavor can help replicate the taste experience of adding smoke to a cocktail? Tune in to discover creative innovation pathways within the alcohol landscape!

In this episode, we chat with Jared Turetsky, Senior Product Manager of our industrial seasonings business. Can’t get enough of that crispy, crunchy, salty goodness? Well, neither can we! In this episode, we discuss consumer trends and the state of the salty snack market in North America. Jared explores some of the exciting findings found in their 2024 North America Salty Snack Study. We dive into innovation tactics, understanding your brand’s equity, and the trending flavors of tomorrow that may end up in the salty snack aisle.

In this episode, we speak with Senior Flavorist, Katie Pappas, where she takes you behind the scenes in becoming a flavorist, a day in the life, and how to work smarter with flavor. Learn how to build a flavor and what taste challenges they can overcome when building specific flavors - stick around to hear what flavors she has built!

In this episode, we chat with Hadar Cohen Aviram, Executive Chef, and Sunny Levine, Associate III Direct Manager, about all things Flavor Forecast. Ever thought of acidity as a craveability enhancer? Or that there's a new overall movement in cuisine mashups? And what is the Flavor of the Year? Join us as we chat through 2024’s Flavor forecast, and discuss the trends that will shape the way we flavor, cook and eat in the upcoming year, and beyond.

In this episode, we chat with Lisa Demme, Senior Marketing Manager and Carrie Rock, Product Manager about how to see food trends. They talk about how it doesn’t have to be complicated; attend a local food festival, spend some extra time in your local grocery store, grab a bite at a food truck, or intentionally scroll through your social media feed.

In this episode, Katie Wang, Quality Manager, and Melissa Valenzuela, Quality Systems Manager, dive deep into their roles in food safety & product quality.  Hear about their backgrounds and career paths, quality control programs, audit compliance, traceability, and a day-in-the-life in quality at a flavor manufacturing site.

Writing and talking persuasively about flavor can be very difficult, but getting it right is important to growing a food or flavor business. In this episode, we speak with Mary Alice Murray, Senior Consumer & Market Insights Manager, as she explains what Flavor Language is, why language is so important to influencing flavor choices, and how we can use flavor language more effectively in order to overcome the challenges associated with talking about flavor. Tune in to learn about how flavor can be articulate through language in order to influence others’ flavor choices.

In this episode, we talk all things sustainability with McCormick’s Chief Sustainability Officer, Dr. Michael Okoroafor. Michael speaks about the need to collaborate to preserve the planet for future generations. In addition to tips on how each of us can individually reduce our impact on the environment, we explore the role food and beverage professionals play in securing that future. Michael shares how businesses can benefit from focusing on sustainability by “doing well by doing good,” as well as how his own background set him on his career trajectory.

In this episode, we speak with Adam O'Leary, Analytical Scientist, and he walks us through the technology and instrumentation used when working with flavors. Learn how gas chromatography helps separate complex flavors and identify specific chemicals. Stick around to hear how analytical chemist can duplicate flavors or even substitute chemicals when needed.

In this episode, Molly Zimmerman, Innovation Manager, and Gena Tiesch, Senior Product Manager, dive deep into weird flavor pairings. Hear how post-covid consumers are partaking in daring behavior and becoming more adventurous with the foods they consume. Stick around to hear about a savory-flavored beverage, new ways to enjoy strawberries, and a live tasting of a brunch-y beverage.

In this episode, we speak with Pamela Oscarson, Senior Consumer & Market Insights Manager, as she explores how she keeps her pulse on industry trends and a quick flash into what areas we are keeping a closer eye on. We discuss five trend areas: nostalgia, experiential value, healthy halo, frugal gourmet, and convenience—where we are spotting them and how flavor plays a role. Tune in to see a flash into our favorite trends for this year!

In this episode, we speak with Kaylind Cook, Scientist, and Katie Tamburo, Sr. Associate Product Manager, as we explore essential vs. elevated flavors. They discuss how everyday, fan-favorite flavors, like chocolate and strawberry, can be elevated to exciting experiences for consumers. They dive into the reasons behind why consumers seek unique flavors, the impact of social media, and the importance of texture. Tune in to hear about some fun examples and ideas of elevated vs. essential flavors.

In this episode, we speak with Carrie Rock, Senior Associate Product Manager, and Hadar Cohen Aviram, Executive Chef, where they discuss the growth, popularity, and history of plant-based eating. They explore the different types of plant-based consumers, how to make plants the "star of the show", and all the opportunities in this segment. Tune in to be a part of our plant-based party!

In this episode, we speak with Hannah Subgrunski, Applications Technologist and Robin Prazak, Principal Flavorist about all things fruit. They explore the latest fruit trends, top categories they are seeing in the market, and the complexity of fruit profiles. They also discuss how to combat sulfur and bitter taste challenges that come with some fruits. Stick around to hear the fascinating history of how some fruits have evolved over time.

In this episode, we speak with Veronica Collins, Senior Global Content & Communications Manager and Carrie Rock, Senior Associate Product Manager about the Flavor Forecast 23rd Edition. We chat about this year’s exciting trends, which are an answer to the cravings observed around the world, with the comeback of full fats (Full Flavored Fats), French cuisine outside of the exclusive fine dining experience (Everyday French), and the multi-sensorial offerings of heat and flavor (Beyond Heat).

In this episode, we speak with Katie Sudler, Community Education Director, where she explores the power of education and how it impacts the food and beverage industry. From teaching teachers about Food Science during Teachers Institute Day to facilitating hands on experiments with students, she unveils the different types of careers one can pursue in the industry.

In this episode, we speak with Lisa Demme, Market Director, and Kristin Fox, Junior Flavorist, and they dive into the pet care industry. They explore the humanization of pet care products, what helps pet parents make their buying decisions and what format of products are on the rise.

In this episode, we speak with Gabby Quintana, Senior Research Chef, and Annelieke Van Ooij, Director of Product Development, where they share how they partner their expertise together and all the magic that goes into making the perfect beverage prototype. They explore how their different points of view help them develop and flavor products that might not taste good on their own.

In this episode, we speak with Rob Bowen, Scientist II, at McCormick and explore the different applications used while baking and formulating in research and development. Tune in to hear what candy school entails, how to experiment and work through challenges, and how to play with your food!

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Lindsey Szymczak, Senior Scientist, and Jason Mittelheuser, Solutions Manager, where they discuss what taste modification is and what goes into making products palatable. They explore the complexity of their work, how they reduce negative attributes, and how they enhance products' positive attributes like sweet, salty, and umami.

In this episode, we speak with Lisa Bird, Senior Principal Scientist at McCormick and explore reaction and process flavors. We discuss the Maillard reaction, also known as non-enzymatic browning, and uncover all the different products that come from this reaction. Tune in to hear how amino acids, fats, proteins, sugars and more are all important factors when working with reaction flavors!

In this episode, we speak with Kaylind Cook, Senior Application Technologist, and Sandra Scaliatine, Scientist, and they explore flavoring different protein applications, why some proteins are more popular, and overcoming challenges that proteins present. They discuss why consumers seek out protein products and ultimately why taste is the number one factor when choosing their protein products. Tune in to hear about some unique proteins like duckweed or air protein!