Naishad Dalal is an accomplished food scientist with a Master’s degree in Food Science and Technology from RMIT University. With over a decade of technical and manufacturing experience in Australia’s dairy industry, Mr. Dalal brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. His areas of specialization include powdered beverages, infant formula, Ready to Drink (RTD) beverages, child nutrition, and plant-based products.

As the founder of the Food Entrepreneurship Academy established in 2021, Mr. Dalal leads the Academy as the Academy Director and Principal Food Technologist. Under his leadership, the Academy has successfully launched more than 110 products for 35 startups. Mr. Dalal is also a co-founder of Pipan Foods, a children’s health supplements and snack company established in 2018, where he currently holds the position of Technical Director.

Mr. Dalal’s passion lies in food entrepreneurship, food innovation, human nutrition, and bringing concept ideas to life as real food products. His diverse background and expertise make him a valuable asset to any food start-up looking to launch innovative products.

Dr. Raphaëlle O’Connor is a senior consultant in research and development and new product development. She holds a Ph.D. in food science and technology and has more than 25 years’ experience as a food product developer and innovator for companies like Amgen, Johnson & Johnson, Nestlé, Pfizer, and Wyeth Nutritional’s. Her extensive professional experience at regional and global levels ranges across several product categories such as infant formula, probiotics, nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, functional foods and beverages, and cosmeceuticals.

Combining a unique set of technical skills with a business mindset, Raphaëlle can bring together investors, manufacturers, scientists, and academics to create innovative products with structure, speed, and precision. She is passionate about developing products for conscientious consumers, in line with the latest developments in new ingredients, scientific evidence, and sustainability principles.

Dr Philip Button is a food scientist with a PhD in food biochemistry and microbiology from The University of Melbourne, with his postdoctoral work completed at RMIT University, in physical chemistry and materials science. During his PhD, Dr Button was based at CSIRO, Australia’s foremost government research organisation, where he characterised the spoilage process of long-life dairy products.

For his postdoctoral work, Dr Button worked with iconic Australian food manufacturing companies and brands on troubleshooting formulation/processing problems in sauces and salad dressings which led to shelf-life issues – he also worked on product development of cereal-based snacks. His subsequent research at RMIT University was on e-commerce, innovative retailing and food composition databases.

Now, Dr Button leads Food Microbiology Academy, the independent institute he founded in 2019, which creates knowledge (through research) and shares knowledge (through online education). In addition, he is co-founder of Food Entrepreneurship Academy, established in 2021, where he holds the position of Business Development Scientist.

Meet our talented chef Mohit with over 10 years of experience working in hotels. With a passion for product development and innovation, they specialize in creating unique and delicious dishes that keep customers coming back for more.

Their expertise extends beyond just cooking – they also excel at product sampling and working with dietary restrictions, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their creations. They have a keen eye for sourcing the freshest and most flavourful ingredients and are always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the kitchen.

Not only is our chef a culinary mastermind, but they’re also skilled at team building and recipe development. They understand the importance of working collaboratively with others to create a positive and productive work environment and are always looking for ways to improve and streamline their processes.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience under their belt, our chef is the perfect addition to any culinary team. Contact us today to see how they can help take your startup to the next level.