From Chef to Systems Thinker: Rethinking Food from the Ingredient Up

from Fugitive Chefs · host Furqan Meerza

In this episode of Fugitive Chefs, we speak with Frederik Jensen — a former fine-dining chef who left the restaurant world to tackle the food system from the inside out.From working in Michelin-starred kitchens in Copenhagen, Shanghai, and Tokyo, to co-founding the food innovation powerhouse Chew, Frederik has now launched Nutrumami (https://www.nutrumami.com/) — a company focused on creating clean-label, multifunctional ingredients that can help reshape how we eat.We discuss:– The reality of kitchen culture in Japan, Denmark, and China– Why chefs are uniquely positioned to drive food innovation– Building Neutromami to fight ultra-processed food through better ingredients– The misunderstood world of clean label, fermentation, and scale– What chefs bring to R&D teams in FMCGWhether you're a chef considering a new path, a food scientist, or just someone curious about the future of food — this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and a vision for better food at scale.👉 Follow and rate us for more stories from inside and outside the kitchen.#FugitiveChefs #FrederikJensen #Nutrumami #FoodInnovation #CleanLabel #FoodSystem #FoodTech #ChefLife #RestaurantToStartup #CulinaryScience #UltraProcessedFood #Fermentation #IngredientInnovation #KitchenCulture #FromChefToFounder #FoodPodcastChapters00:00 Introduction to Frederick Jensen01:33 Early Influences and Culinary Journey04:56 Culinary Education and Apprenticeship07:36 Experiences in Shanghai and Japan11:45 Cultural Insights from Japanese Kitchens18:14 Transitioning to Concept Creation and Business27:02 The Birth of Chew and Its Vision27:46 The Birth of a Food Innovation Lab30:41 Merging Culinary Arts with Science33:29 The Role of Chefs in Food Innovation36:39 Navigating the Challenges of Food Development40:31 The Transition to Nutrumami44:20 Innovating with Multifunctional Ingredients46:09 The Debate on Ultra-Processed Foods52:17 The Future of Plant-Based Products56:13 Government Regulations and Market Dynamics01:02:02 Advice for Aspiring Food Innovators

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 15, 2025

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From Chef to Systems Thinker: Rethinking Food from the Ingredient Up

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