The Pitchfork Incubator Kitchen: A Hub for Innovation and Mentorship

In today's fast-paced business world, finding opportunities to learn from experienced professionals can be a game-changer for students looking to break into a new industry. For students at the University of Oregon's Lundquist College of Business, the Pitchfork Incubator Kitchen provided just that - a chance to network with food and beverage industry experts and gain valuable insights into the field.

One student who took advantage of this opportunity is Iriana Buckles, an MBA candidate specializing in sustainable business practices. She connected with Yogi Tea through Mohr Career Services and now works as a market and risk surveillance analyst for the company. 'Career-wise, what I was interested in matched up well with one of the speakers from Yogi,' she said.

The Business Careers in Food and Beverage event, held at the Lillis Business Complex and University of Oregon's Jordan Schnitzer Art Museum, brought together representatives from companies such as Alma Catering, Barcast, Captain Soup, Coconut Bliss, E & J Gallo, Glory Bee, The Hershey Company, K & F Coffee, Ninkasi Brewing Company, NuNaturals, Pitchfork Kitchen Incubator, Riff Cold Brew, Run Gum, Sohr, Toby's Family Foods, Yogi Tea, and Young Mountain Tea.

The event was open to all majors and featured product demos, an expert panel, keynote speaker, and networking mixer. For students like Buckles, it was a chance to learn more about the food and beverage industry and how companies operate. 'It was definitely great to get exposure to that and to learn more about how their companies operate, so I can use that information moving forward in my career,' said Juliana Rosenfeld, a junior studying public relations.

The event also provided students with opportunities to connect with local and international companies, such as Hershey's and a local honey farmer company. 'There's a lot of diversity at this event,' Buckles said.

For Emily Reinwald, an MBA candidate in sports marketing, attending the event was a way to support her fellow candidate Brian Gaudette of Captain Soup. 'Walking into Lillis it was hard to miss all the tables,' she said.

The Pitchfork Incubator Kitchen's Business Careers in Food and Beverage event was presented by Mohr Career Services to foster learning and connections between food and beverage industry professionals and students interested in the field. With its diverse range of companies and networking opportunities, the event proved to be a valuable experience for students looking to break into the food and beverage industry.

Pitchfork incubator kitchen