Research and Development
Innovating with Culinary Excellence
At California Garlic Company, our Research & Development team is driven by creativity, industry expertise, and a passion for pushing the boundaries of flavor and functionality. Led by Chef Maryanne Jones, a Culinary Institute of America (CIA) graduate and Research Chef with experience in culinary sales, our R&D division partners with customers to develop innovative, trend-forward solutions that elevate their products and menus.
Our Capabilities
- Custom Product Development – From sauces, marinades, seasonings, and ingredient blends to commercial-scale formulations, we bring chef-driven innovation with real-world functionality.
- Ideation & Culinary Sessions – We collaborate with customers in tailored culinary ideation sessions, exploring trending flavors, consumer insights, and operational efficiencies to develop products that resonate with today’s market.
- Ingredient Showcases – We highlight the versatility and benefits of our premium ingredients, demonstrating how they can enhance product formulations and foodservice applications.
Meet Chef Maryanne Jones
Chef Maryanne Jones brings a strong blend of culinary expertise, food science, commercialization, and customer-focused innovation to California Garlic Company. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America with a Bachelor of Arts in Culinary Science, Maryanne has built her career helping food manufacturers develop trend-forward products, optimize formulations, and bring new concepts to market.
Her experience spans culinary R&D, product development, commercialization, and customer innovation support with companies including Summit Hill Foods, Hearthside Foods, Ready Wise, and Sevillo Fine Foods. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with Sales, Marketing, Operations, Supply Chain, and QA teams to develop products across sauces, gravies, meal kits, RTE foods, frozen foods, and retail-ready applications.
Chef Maryanne’s Experience Includes:
• Culinary Institute of America Graduate – Culinary Science
• Culinary R&D and Commercialization
• Product Development and Formulation
• Customer Innovation and Culinary Demonstrations
• RTE Products, Sauces, and Food Manufacturing Systems
• Labeling, Specifications, and Ingredient Applications
• Cross-Functional Collaboration with Sales and Operations Teams
Her ability to combine culinary creativity with technical food manufacturing knowledge makes her a valuable resource for our customers. Whether supporting new product innovation, improving ingredient applications, developing commercialization strategies, or helping customers bring ideas to life, Chef Maryanne provides solutions grounded in both culinary excellence and operational execution.
Let’s Create Something Incredible
Looking to develop a new product, optimize an existing formula, or explore fresh culinary ideas? Partner with our R&D team to bring your vision to life.
Contact Us today to schedule an ideation session or consultation.
