FIRST Impressions

Curiosity has always been at the heart of food science, and it emerged as a recurring theme throughout the IFT FIRST Annual Event and Expo in Chicago in July. From conversations about artificial intelligence and the future of work to discussions of food safety, consumer trust, nutrition, and product innovation, speakers challenged attendees to ask questions, explore new ideas, and remain open to unexpected possibilities. Across the Food Expo Hall, educational sessions, networking events, and Startup Pavilion, thousands of food community professionals came together to present new ingredients and emerging technologies, exchange knowledge, and envision what’s next for the global food system. Here’s a look at a small sampling of all that took place.

Opening Day Energy: IFT leaders, from left, Jeffrey Varcoe, Christopher Daubert, Peggy Poole, Gunnar Sigge, Matthew Teegarden, and Christie Tarantino-Dean, signaled the opening of the Food Expo Hall with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Keynote Multitasking: Chef J. Kenji López-Alt not only spoke eloquently about how flavor, culture, and scientific curiosity come together in food innovation in an IFT FIRST keynote, he also prepared mapo tofu, a dish tied to his Japanese heritage, in real time on stage.

A Taste of What’s New: Sampling innovative chef-created product prototypes was an event highlight for many IFT FIRST Food Expo attendees.

Stay Curious! Curiosity is the gateway to innovation, and using artificial intelligence allows scientists to spend more time being curious, according to IFT FIRST keynoter Alon Chen, CEO of Tastewise.

College Bowl Champs: Students from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign came out on top in this year’s College Bowl competition, the first national title for a team from the school. Team members, from left, include Tyler Pham, Jonathan Chen, Ananya Prashanth Mani, and Kathleen Polli.

Fun and Fitness: Runners and walkers got up early during IFT FIRST to take part in the annual Fun Run + Walk, which raises funds for food science scholarships.

Expo Experiences: Nearly 1,000 Food Expo exhibitors showcased ingredients, technologies, and equipment.

Constructive Conversations: Exhibitors and buyers came together to do business in the IFT FIRST Food Expo Hall.

Making Connections: The Professional Networking Event gathered colleagues from across disciplines in a relaxed social setting.

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