Ep. 089 - From Big Chocolate to Small Jerky with Brian Gouldsbury, Sr. Research Scientist at Krave Pure Foods

I’m a big fan of talking to product developers because the more and more I talk to them, I realize they have the same problems I do! Sure maybe it’s rice, or gummies, or jerky, but once you realize the common thread of dealing with people, it makes it a lot easier to ask for advice.

And that’s kind of the commonality in this episode. I exchange with Brian all sorts of helpful product development tips such as who to ask for help when you can’t figure out something out, or advice on how to get internships. By the way, you’ll also find out in the interview, that I totally forgot that Hershey bought out Krave.

We even get into a good discussion on eating protein and the beauty of bone marrow.

About Brian

Brian Gouldsbury is a Senior Food Scientist for Krave Pure Foods, a subsidiary of The Hershey Company. Brian’s role is to develop new jerky flavors and meat snacks for Krave, in addition to identifying margin expansion opportunities for the brand. Brian has an associates degree in culinary arts from The Culinary Institute of America, and a bachelors in food science from Cornell University. While working for Hershey, he also obtained his MBA from Penn State University, and most recently an advanced certificate in management and leadership from MIT Sloan. In his spare time, Brian is an avid bodybuilder, and has competed in several state level competitions. He is also a life learner, and is currently attempting to teach himself Mandarin when he is not chasing his two year old son around the house. 

Key Takeaways Adam didn’t know Krave was bought by Hershey How acquisitions work with Hershey Can you run all meats on the same line? Yes How Brian and I found food science Brian’s theory on gaining muscle Would vegetarians eat meat? Question Summary

What do you do: My job is to make X or Y
First Job: Margin Expansion. Using cheaper products with no drawbacks from the consumer ends
Krave ideation to commercialization: 9 months to commercialize
Hershey ideation to commercialization: 1 to 2 years
Hershey and Krave can move launch dates. Isagenix can’t
Best thing about Krave: It’s the people. It’s small and interactive and in California. I love interacting with all sorts of people
Steps in Brian’s career: Culinary Institute after highschool, Chef life was brutal for Brian and he wanted a work life balance, found out what a food scientist was, Cornell University BS, hired on for Hershey, moved to Krave
Certifed Research Chefs
What is the most important skill that you need for your job?: When it’s ok to ask for help
How do you ask for help?: Internal subject matter experts and the secret mad scientist in Hershey
How Adam does it: talk to copacker technologists; think of your production staff
My Food Job Rocks: I love working with people and I love protein
Brian’s philosophy on protein: eat a lot of protein. Some people eat 5 grams of protein
Dream Job Title: VP of R+D or Supply Chain
What do you look for most in a job?: If you don’t like what you do, it becomes a chore. Also, companies who give back
Food Trends and Technology: Synthetic meat production and bug protein
Who inspired you to get into food?: My mother, I accidentally snorted cayenne pepper as a kid
Favorite Book: Financial Accounting for Internal Decision Making
I’m teaching myself Mandarin Chinese
Article about someone overloading on protein
Kitchen item: the chef knife
Best thing I ever ate: Roasted Bone Marrow: Blue Ribbon Brassiere. It’s delicious
Best piece of advice in the food industry: Internships, internships, internships. Define what niche you fit in, best way you can get this is internships
How do you recommend people getting their first internship: Walk into a career fair and get ready to go. Dress to impress
Brian’s first internship: it was actually Hershey!
Adam’s first internship: A slaughterhouse
What would you tell yourself the first day of your job?:  Just have fun. Don’t take yourself so seriously
How do you want people to contact you?: Linkedin. Brian Goldsbury

Other Links

Article about someone overloading on protein and dying
CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility
Project Peanutbutter
EXO
Bitty foods
Brandy and Bone Marrow