A Beyond Borders Brief | Global Culinary Project There's something deeply uncomfortable about realizing that the way we've been eating for the last 60 years might be one of the biggest missteps in human history. Not a conspiracy. Not fear-mongering. Just the science catching up to what farmers, indigenous communities, and food historians have been saying for generations because somewhere between the post-war agricultural boom, the rise of industrial farming, and the relentles

On the gift of people who believe in your vision, announcing Elizabeth Hivner as our Interim Director of Operations. There is a version of the start-up story that gets told a lot. The founder with the idea, the late nights, the breakthrough moment, the press release. It’s a clean story. It photographs well. But here is what that version almost always leaves out: the people. Not the investors. Not the advisors who show up once the momentum is already building. I mean the peopl

Food has always been more than nourishment. It is culture, memory, education, opportunity, and one of the most powerful tools we have to connect people across communities and around the world. Every meal tells a story. It reflects the land where ingredients were grown, the people who cultivated them, the traditions that shaped them, and the communities that sustain them. Families like Bobby and Barbara Vice of BRK Meats in Carthage, Texas, exemplify the vital role local agric

There’s a version of my story that looks clean on paper...two degrees, a 20-year career across agriculture, energy, and global markets, leadership roles, international business development, and now building a company at the intersection of food, culture, and strategy. ...BUT THAT VERSION LEAVES OUT THE PART THAT ACTUALLY MATTERS. I didn’t arrive here in a straight line. I built this life under pressure. I started as an athlete (disciplined, focused, competitive). That mindset

There’s a misconception in business, especially in consulting, that relationships are informal, freely given, and easily transferable. They’re not. A real professional network—the kind that drives deals, opens markets, and accelerates growth—is built over decades. Not days. Not months. Decades. I’ve spent over 20 years working across international business development, sales, and marketing in food, beverage, energy, and agriculture. I’ve traveled to more than 23 countries bui

Culinary diplomacy involves using food and cuisine as tools to promote cultural exchange and international relations. Governments, chefs, and food producers participate in this practice to build goodwill, share heritage, and open dialogue between nations. It can take many forms, such as state dinners featuring national dishes, international food festivals, or chef exchanges. Food is a universal language that connects people beyond political or linguistic barriers. When countr

From Farm to Table: How Chefs Are Driving Sustainable Food Systems Sustainable living is no longer just a personal lifestyle choice. It has become a critical necessity for the future of our global food systems. As climate change, supply chain disruptions, and resource constraints continue to impact how food is produced and distributed, the conversation around sustainability must shift beyond individual habits and into how entire food ecosystems operate. At the center of thi