Our Team
Jan Matsuno
Commercialization, Director
Jan Matsuno, the product of a home-economics teacher and an engineer, has been experimenting with food since she was a kid. From an early age, Jan was busy conducting unorthodox food science experiments, while composting and growing organic fruits and vegetables. Clearly, Jan was born to work in food science.
Now all grown-up, Jan has over 28 years of experience in the Food and Beverage Industry, including eight years developing retail private label products and 13 years serving overseas markets. She has traveled extensively and supervised new product trials at food plants all over North and South America, Asia and Europe.
Jan has held product development positions at Del Monte Foods and Safeway, Inc. as well as three years as an independent consultant before joining the Center for Culinary Development. At Del Monte Foods, she formulated and commercialized over 50 successful new products for the US and 12 other countries. As Director of Product Development for Safeway Corporate Brands, she directed the development of thousands of private label products, established brand criteria and developed strategy to address current food trends and regulatory challenges.
She holds a BS with highest honors in Food Science and Technology from Oregon State University and has studied Japanese and Spanish languages for many years. She is a certified FPA-SAFE Auditor, professional member of the Institute of Food Technologists, and has taught Food Science at San Jose State University.