2025-2026 Committee
VOLUNTEER LEADERSHIP
Product Development Competition Committee
The Product Development Competition Committee plans, organizes, and oversees the product development competition, which features students from across the country, and ends in the finals at BakingTECH. The committee decides on the annual theme related to trends and innovation in the baking industry, manages the application and selection of finalists, and promotes the competition in the run-up to BakingTECH.
Harrison Helmick | Chair
Roquette | Geneva, IL
Sarah Corwin | Vice Chair
Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition | Itasca, IL
Elizabeth Bitar Nalbandian
Washington State University | WA
Lalit Ganwani
First Blends Ltd. | Lagos, Nigeria
Ramakanth (Rama) Jonnala
Glanbia | Naperville, IL
Sophia Leung
Enzyme Innovation | Irvine, CA
Devanshu Mehta
Impossible Foods | Redwood City, CA
Abhay Patwa
JM Smucker Co. | Orrville, OH
Oluwatoyin Sangokunle
Florida A and M University | Tallahassee, FL
Responsibilities
Product Development Competition
Competition Theme
The committee selects a theme for the competition each year, referencing past themes and providing insight into trends and interests within the industry.
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Product Development Competition
Finalist Selection
The committee reviews and scores preliminary proposals on areas such as product description, process description, and technical problem solving, coming to a consensus on the three finalist teams.
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