I’ve always wanted to know the machine side of the food industry. How do people build these machines that can create thousands of pounds of foods today? I found the answer when I interviewed Matt.
Matt contacted me after he finished listening to Good Food institute Series and I asked if we could meet up. I’ve done interviews at libraries before, after all, they’re free and quiet, so we found the best small room in Fremont California to belt out the interview.
Here we have great tips on managing big projects and explore the most optimal way to get from concept to commercialization. Matt also gives some great tips on how to tackle big ideas using some smart strategies that you might want to apply to your work. Enjoy!
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Show Notes
Fremont Library
Would you consider yourself a food scientist?: Yes, now, but I’m a systems engineer by training
How did you fall into food?: I used to work in medical devices and applied to a job on extruders. I never knew you could use extruders to make food. Only thought you could use it for rubber or plastic
How to make decisions: It’s not a matter of if, but rather when. Eventually, everyone will have a compromise whether you’re culinary, scientist or engineer
How would you create a new product?: Two paths: either mimic or something new. With mimicking, you know exactly what attributes you want.
How do you do things faster?: Communicate expectations and create modular platforms
In most technologies, we don’t create something too new, we improve existing technologies
What would you recommend a food engineer should focus on: Find something passionate. Always ask questions and eventually, you’ll find something you’re passionate about.
Most problems can be solved by simple algebra
My Food job Rocks: I get to see cutting-edge technology all the time, everywhere
Food Technologies: Machine Learning in the food space
What challenges does the food industry have to face?: Get with the times. People who try to discourage technology are usually the ones who don’t benefit when it booms.
What is something in the food industry you’d like to know more about?: How other products are made. Such as Chicken Nugget shapes and M and M colors.
Timelines: How long do you think it should take for products to get to market?: Depends on the complexity of the product. Unfortunately, if it’s too complex, the consumer won’t follow the directions anyways.
The trend for products is 2 years
Who inspired you to get into food?: the Extruder. Also the visionaries I’ve worked for in the past.
Kitchen Item: I love to grill. Love working with fire. I prefer Coal.
Adam: I made a firepit in Phoenix.
Favorite Food: Noodles. All types of noodles
If you were to teach a college course, what would you teach?: A big part about innovation is to look at things in a different lens. For example, meal kits were created in this.
Any advice you have in the food industry?: don’t overcomplicate the question. Look at the tech and learn as much as you can about it. Broaden your horizons
Where can we find you?: www.mtcc.io I’m free to just talk about ideas.