Hosted in Collaboration with the OVIFT & OVRCA regional chapters

An exciting exploration of how AI is transforming food innovation, from flavor development to sustainability and product optimization.

Date: April 1^st, 2025

Time: 5:00pm - 8:00 pm ET

Location: Midwest Culinary Institute at Cincinnati State

3520 Central Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45223

In the ATLC 043 Demonstration Kitchen

Session Overview:

Join us for an engaging evening where creativity, research, AI, and product development converge to shape the future of food innovation! This event will highlight the transformative role of AI in flavor development, sustainability, and product optimization while exploring how the synergy of culinary and scientific ingenuity can drive efficiency and redefine industry standards.

 Gain exclusive insights from industry leaders on AI’s impact on food & beverage innovation.

 Explore how AI redefines sustainability, unlocks efficiency, and pushes the boundaries of innovation.

 Connect with food scientists, product developers, and industry professionals shaping the future of food

Program of Events:

• 5:00–6:00 PM: Networking & Light Bites

• 6:00–7:30 PM: Panel Discussion and Conversation

• 7:30–8:00 PM: Conclusion

Speaker/s:

Ben Snyder – Sr. Manager Portfolio Optimization, Kroger
Using AI tools to revolutionize product innovation and consumer-driven strategies.

With over 12 years of experience in Food and Beverage Manufacturing, Ben Snyder has developed a strong expertise in Supply Chain, Finance, and Technology. Specializing in Dairy, Seasonings, Dry Beverage, Foodservice, and Ingredient manufacturing, he currently leads strategic AI projects in Manufacturing, focusing on product innovation and optimization. Ben holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Wisconsin, Whitewater.

Brittany Frey – Head Brewer, MadTree Brewing Company
Showcasing sustainability and innovation in beer production

Brittany Frey is currently the Head Brewer at MadTree Brewing Co, located in Cincinnati, OH. Brittany has held the previous roles of Production Brewer and Production Manager prior to her current position with MadTree. She studied Brewing Science at Cincinnati State and was one of the graduates of the first class in 2019, she also holds a degree from the University of Cincinnati. Brittany just celebrated five years working with MadTree Brewing and has helped the company grow into a $15 million dollar company. She plays a key role with product development, MadTree’s sustainability work and building practices required to achieve and maintain the company’s B Corporation status.

Tom McGirty – VP of R&D, T. Marzetti Company
Navigating the evolving landscape of food and beverage product development.

Tom McGirty is currently the Vice President of Research and Development for the T. Marzetti Company. In this role he leads both the Retail and Foodservice Dressing and Sauce Development Teams. As a proud graduate of The Ohio State University, Tom began his career 32 yrs. ago with T. Marzetti. At T. Marzetti he has held various roles in Quality, Food Safety and R&D. He has seen T. Marzetti grow from $200 million to almost $2 billion in sales with several acquisitions across a wide variety of specialty foods. He also played a key role in the design and startup of their Horse Cave Dressing Facility. Tom resides in Columbus OH with his wife and has two children that are almost completely independent.

Scott Ulrich – Principal Flavorist, Givaudan
Exploring AI’s role in predicting and enhancing flavor development

Scott is a certified flavorist with the Society of Flavor Chemists and a Principal Flavorist with Givaudan, where he has worked for the past 25 years. Currently, he works on Givaudan's portfolio team and focuses primarily on flavors in both beverage and sweet goods. Additionally, he is heavily involved in Givaudan's Digitized Flavors, utilizing co-creation and the VAS (Virtual Aroma Synthesizer) to develop flavors in partnership with customers

Event Contact: cserrato@palmerholland.com

RCA Disclosures:

Contact Information: By registering for this event, you consent to the sharing of your contact information (such as name, email address, and company) with the event’s sponsors. This information will be shared exclusively with sponsors for purposes related to the event and will not be shared with other attendees or third parties.

Photographs and Videos: During this event, RCA may take photographs and/or video of you which may be posted to social media and on the association’s website. By registering for and attending this event, you agree to the use of image in photographs and/or video for this purpose. Additionally, other event attendees may take photographs and post said photographs to social media. RCA shall not be responsible for photographs taken and/or shared by other event attendees.

Session Recordings: This session may be recorded for the purpose of education, training, and use in RCA’s Learning Library. The recording will be used for this stated purpose and shall not be used for any other purpose. Do not share information that you do not wish to be recorded.  If you are uncomfortable being recorded, please refrain from speaking and submit questions via email.