The Plantbased Business Hour Owning Your (Dairy-Free) Legacy with CEO of Edlong, Laurette Rondenet
Aug 2, 2024
Laurette Rondenet, CEO and Owner of Edlong, shares her journey in revolutionizing dairy-free flavors, stressing that plant-based options are not new but evolving. She delves into the importance of leadership and innovation in flavor development while addressing growing consumer demands. Laurette also emphasizes collaboration among industry players to drive sustainable change and navigate challenges in product development, particularly in plant-based dairy alternatives. Her passion for food shines through as she discusses culinary creativity, blending personal stories with industry insights.
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Family Legacy and Company Rescue
- Laurette Rondenet joined the family flavor company Edlong in the mid-1990s after her brother declined the opportunity.
- A capital crisis was resolved dramatically by a friend bringing a briefcase of money, saving the company and refocusing it on dairy flavor expertise.
Roots of Plant-Based Flavors
- Edlong's entry into plant-based dairy flavors began with kosher parve flavors made for religious dietary needs decades ago.
- This foundation naturally pivoted to supply the growing plant-based dairy market with non-dairy dairy flavors for cheese, creamers, dips, and sauces.
Masked vs. Natural Plant-Based Flavors
- Consumer preference varies: some want to mask off-notes in plant-based milks, others enjoy the natural earthy flavors unmasked.
- Taste expectations relate to the protein source and familiarity with dairy, showing no one-size-fits-all in flavor profiles.
