Central Expert Hub

BK Sethi, President of BK Sethi Marketing Ltd. with over 35 years of experience in importing, distributing and marketing authentic ethnic food products from around the world, offers his experience as a consultant to many multinationals, trade consulates, exporters and merchants, providing planning, execution, channel selection and communication strategies in the growing Canadian ethnic market.

His practical, hands-on experience is key to short and long term business growth plans for progressive companies who want to enter and grow their business in the Canadian market, a gateway to North America.

Carol Zweep has been with NSF International since October 2002. She manages NSF’s supplier management programs. She has been responsible for the Product and Process Innovation and Regulatory Affairs departments. Carol has taught courses, judged competitions, and written articles on packaging for trade magazines.

Prior to joining NSF International, Carol worked for sixteen years at Amcor Rigid Packaging, where she held a variety of positions ranging from managing a quality department to setting up the company’s technical center to research and development.  Carol holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry from Queens University and a Master of Science degree from McMaster University. Carol is also a Certified Packaging Professional (CPP) through the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IoPP).

Christine Cheylan is recognized as an international expert in olive oil. Her global experience in the olive industry as an olive grower, oil mill manager, consultant, head of jury and president of competitions, have allowed this woman of character, originally from the South of France, to establish at the national and international level, an unwavering legitimacy due to her work and her commitment for over 20 years.

Decorated with the National Order of Merit and the Legion of Honor, she travels the world of olive oil with the same desire to share her knowledge and passion.

Gurth M. Pretty is a passionate Canadian cheese professional.

He is a member of the Toronto Cheese Education Guild Class of 2006, the first class of cheese professionals.

Gurth’s knowledge of cheese was developed during his research for his first book, The Definitive Guide to Canadian Artisanal and Fine Cheese (Whitecap Books 2006), soon followed by The Definitive Canadian Wine and Cheese Cookbook (Whitecap Books 2007), co-authored with writer and wine judge Tony Aspler.

Canadian cheese received more international attention when he was asked to contribute to The World Book of Cheese (DK Books 2009). The book includes his entries on 24 Canadian cheeses.

He has participated as a judge in the following competitions

* Canadian Cheese Grand Prix 2009, 2011 and 2013
* American Cheese Society competitions in 2011, 2018 and 2019.
* Judge at the 2016 and 2018 Canadian Cheese Awards and
* the 2016 and 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest in Madison, Wisconsin.
His involvement in the Canadian cheese industry has included the following positions

* Treasurer of the Toronto Cheese Guild
* Board member of the Ontario Cheese Society, and
* President of the Canadian Cheese Society.

In 2018, Gurth was recognized for his efforts by being invited to become a member of La Guilde Internationale des Fromagers, an international association of professional cheesemakers, ripeners, dairy processors and cheese makers. It has over 6,000 members in 33 countries.

From 2011 to 2019, Gurth was the corporate cheese expert and senior specialist – deli cheese, for the Marketplace division of Loblaw Companies Limited, Canada’s largest food retailer.

A nutrition, food marketing and communications professional with over 20 years of experience, Isabelle Marquis has a unique multidisciplinary know-how acquired both in consulting agencies and in food processing companies. Recognized for her great rigor, her contagious passion and her strategic creativity, Isabelle is also an outstanding communicator who knows how to inspire as well as mobilize.

As Director of Marketing, Mass Distribution and HRI at Groupe Première Moisson Inc. she was responsible for numerous innovation projects and product launches, in addition to actively contributing to business development in the Canadian and American markets. Today, Ms. Marquis is a freelance consultant who assists companies of all sizes in the Quebec and Canadian food sector with their communication, marketing and innovation strategies. Innovation Ambassador for SIAL Canada since 2018, she also collaborates with specialized magazines and on the show L’épicerie on Ici Radio-Canada Télé.

There are thousands of self-proclaimed “foodies” out there, positioning themselves as health and wellness experts…Jane Dummer RD (www.janedummer.com), is a true professional!

She is a respected thought leader in the food industry and holds qualifications as a dietitian and a degree in nutritional science from one of the world’s leading food universities.

For more than two decades, Jane and her team have been advising medium and large food, beverage and nutrition companies in North America. An author, writer and speaker, Jane is frequently quoted in the media, with over 100 interviews. Jane speaks to strategic audiences including key industry clients, health professionals and consumers.

She is the author of The Need for Seeds: How to Make Seeds an Everyday Food in Your Healthy Diet, and is also a writer for the Bakers Journal and a member of the College of Dietitians of Ontario. Jane has served on the scientific advisory boards of Danone Canada and the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research.

Jean-Sébastien Michel is a Quebec entrepreneur born in Sept-Iles in 1981 who specializes in cocktail ingredients, glassware and bar accessories, wines and spirits. After graduate studies at Concordia and UdeM in political science with a focus on alcohol prohibitions and discourses, he decided to combine his passion for liquids and human behavior by working in the retail sector. First managing the oldest wine accessories store in Montreal, he launched Alambika in 2012, a precursor to the current cocktail trend.

Today, the company, with boutique and online presence, supplies hundreds of bars and restaurants across Canada and the US, has a national distribution line representing some 50 artisanal houses and develops original accessories and glasses with various Quebec trades. Described as the “secret weapon of the Montreal cocktail scene” by Eater magazine, it now promotes the Quebec offer through partnerships with the wine and cocktail world, SIAL, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal, event support, educational workshops and a cocktail column in Le Devoir.

Jo-Ann has spent her career building consumer and retail brands at Molson, Procter and Gamble, Unilever and Cadillac Fairview.

As Division President of Molson Coors and a member of its North American Management Board, Jo-Ann led the charge to sell more beer more profitably.
As founding partner and president of Nourish Food Marketing, Jo-Ann now builds powerful food and beverage brands in Canada, the United States and Europe, developing marketing strategies that help move products from the shelf to the consumer’s shopping cart, to their plate and to their heart.

She has worked with entrepreneurs to launch award-winning products and with municipal, provincial and federal agencies to create programs that support the Canadian food industry. She has also been an instructor at the Schulich Executive School of Business, FoodStarter (a food incubator), and the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada and the Association of Canadian Advertisers.

Jo-Ann is the Founding Chair of the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada, Past President of the Empire Club of Canada, where she has hosted leaders from around the world, and Past President of ABC Life Literacy Canada. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Chapter of the Dames d’Escoffier.

With over 20 years in the organic food sector, Kim brings a wealth of supply chain and non-profit experience to the role of Member Relations & Business Development Manager at the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA). Honoured with the 2016 Canadian Health Food Association Organics Achievement Award, Kim continues to diligently strive to bring value to the organic sector. Kim serves COTA members through an array of benefits programs and funding opportunities which assist members in strengthening their organic businesses.

COTA is the national membership-based association for organic agriculture and products in Canada. Members include growers, processors, handlers, certifiers, provincial organic associations, distributors, importers, exporters, manufacturers, brokers and brand management companies, consultants, retailers, and all points along the organic value chain.

The COTA mission is to promote and protect the organic sector and encourage the universal adoption of organic. To achieve this mission, COTA works on regulatory affairs, government relations, trading relationships, market research, market access, organic integrity, and builds public trust in organic through a variety of consumer-facing programs. Through industry task forces, webinars, or buyer missions, COTA assists businesses, whether in start-up phase or established players, to navigate the organic marketplace to discover ways to optimize their organic business portfolios.

Vince has been a foodie since long before that became a fake word, developing his passion for food and cooking, in his Italian mama’s kitchen. Since graduating university with a business degree, he has succeeded in numerous roles across the food and foodservice industry. From sales to marketing, distribution to product development, from manufacturers to operators. Currently, as Director and Foodservice Industry Analyst at The NPD Group, Canada, he shares his unique perspective on food and the foodservice industry, and helps clients improve their business. When not keeping busy analyzing the business, you can find him preparing meals for family or friends, or out in the neighbourhood trying out the latest new restaurant. And analyzing the menu of course. Vince is a frequent presenter at foodservice industry events, and provides industry insights to media such as CBC News, The Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, Yahoo Business, Menu Magazine and Foodservice and Hospitality Magazine.