John Shackelford

John Shackelford, MSc, is the corporate chef and culinary manager of new product innovation for Giraffe Foods, Inc., in Toronto, Canada. He has worked in the field of food science and research for a decade, with special emphasis on meat and poultry development and food safety. A frequent contributor, he can be reached at john@giraffefoods.com.

Consumer Appetite for Beef and Other Animal Proteins Remains Strong

The variety of cuts available in the grocery store has dwindled over the years because most consumers know less and less about the animals they consume

John Shackelford

June 30, 2020

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There is a massive demand for protein and many product developers are turning to beef to meet the demand.

Formulation of Stuffed & Filled Food Products

Big convenience and flavor sometimes come in small packages.

John Shackelford Liz Chan Kirsten Benneter

February 26, 2019

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Stuffed sweet and savory delights, such as pierogi, calzones, pocket pastries, and filled pastas present challenges to processors. The biggest hurdle: Keeping the insides sumptuous—and inside—while having the outsides maintain their texture and integrity, be it fluffy, flaky, or crunchy.

Batters and Coatings Combine Functionality and Flavor with Texture Appeal and Visual Enticement

Coatings provide a variety of new flavors, texture, appearance, and mouthfeel

John Shackelford

January 31, 2019

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The addition of coatings to foods is more than structural. Batters and breadings are used to enhance the whole eating experience, and perhaps even add some unexpected twist.

Things That Go Crunch in the Night

Consumers crave crunch and have a taste for texture. Formulators need ingredients for just the right bite

Kirsten Benneter Liz Chan John Shackelford

July 19, 2017

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Whether it’s crunchy or chewy, consumers are more tuned in than ever to textural variation in foods.

HPP: Culinary Meets Tech

What research chefs need to know about high pressure processing

Kirsten Benneter Liz Chan John Shackelford

November 15, 2016

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Nowhere is the technological culinary revolution more evident than in methods such as sous-vide and High Pressure Processing (HPP)—sometimes referred to as High Pressure Pasteurization.

In this webinar, we will cover how you can utilize small scale extrusion to rapidly create a unique high moisture meat analog product through changing extrusion conditions and blending different types of protein.