Join FoodTech Junkies host Sharon Cittone in conversation with Beatriz Jacoste, CEO of KM ZERO Food Innovation Hub and one of Spain’s leading voices in the transformation of global food systems.

From her early passion for gastronomy to the helm of KM ZERO, Bea shares how innovation, collaboration, and grounded leadership are reshaping how we produce, distribute, and value food.

Together, they explore the shifting landscape of food innovation, from overhyped narratives to real impact, touching on frugal innovation, food security, lessons from Latin America, and how corporations are recalibrating toward resilience and purpose.

This episode is a candid look at where the food industry stands today, what needs to change, and why the next era of transformation must be rooted in empathy, equity, and pragmatism.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction: Setting the stage for food system transformation

00:34 - Meet Beatriz Jacoste, CEO of KM ZERO and one of Spain’s leading voices in food innovation

01:33 - Bea’s personal journey: from gastronomy to food systems and innovation

06:22 - Inside KM ZERO: mission, ecosystem, and global impact

09:22 - The state of food transformation: from hype to hard truths

13:22 - Innovation and resilience: confronting systemic challenges

19:46 - Lessons from Latin America: frugality, equity, and community

28:05 - Shifting corporate strategies: from storytelling to substance

39:46 - The role of gastronomy and culture in shaping the future of food

44:00 - Lightning Round: overhyped trends, global insights, and favorite food memories

47:08 – Conclusion: key takeaways and call to action