Episode 36: Food Systems with Brian Chau, Founder of Chau Time
Update: 2025-07-14
Description
Food scientist. Fungal fanatic. Systems thinker. In this episode of Munching on Molecules, we meet Brian Chau, whose serendipitous start at UC Davis led to a career spent bridging food science with human systems, transforming how food ideas become reality.
Brian’s consulting firm Chau Time has supported everything from early-stage product R&D to complex contract manufacturing searches. With an eye on infrastructure and integrity, he shares how to build not just great products, but great processes.
Key themes we explored:
- The “three rounds” method: structured R&D that flexes for real-world constraints.
- Scaling with intention: insights from launching 500+ SKUs across 13+ categories.
- Biodiversity & specialty crops: why valorization is the future.
- Building bridges from Bay Area tech to Midwestern manufacturing hubs.
Plus: Brian’s top Chicago eats, and a powerful question for our next guest to chew on.
Heading to IFT FIRST in Chicago July 13–17? So is Brian. Connect with him there!
Resources:
Chau Time: www.chau-time.com
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