Helping Food & Beverage Brands Navigate U.S. Trends | Innovation Strategist | Market Research Consultant | 19+ Yrs in Global CPG | Founder, The Curious Foodie LLC | Strategic Advisory Calls

👋 Hi, I’m Virginia Lee — a food & beverage innovation strategist, market researcher, and founder of The Curious Foodie LLC, with 19+ years of global CPG experience. I help brands decode what’s next so they can innovate smarter, respond faster to emerging trends, and uncover new growth opportunities. 📌 How I Help: ✔️ Strategic Advisory Calls — Deep dives into U.S. food, non-alcoholic beverage, flavor & ingredient trends for innovation, marketing & insights teams ✔️ Market Entry Strategy — Guidance for international brands exploring U.S. opportunities ✔️ Speaking Engagements & Media Commentary — Conference talks and expert interviews As a contributing writer for The Food Institute, I analyze evolving themes like TikTok-driven food culture, functional ingredients, and global snacking innovation. My insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, BevNET, Forbes, NPR, and The Financial Times. I’ve spoken at industry events including Natural Products Expo East, International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) Show, PLMA's Annual Private Label Trade Show, and Cosmoprof Cosmetica Brasil. With 19+ years in consumer insights and innovation strategy, I’ve advised Fortune 500s, global FMCG companies, investment banks, trade associations, and startups on U.S. market entry and innovation across food, non-alcoholic drinks, health & wellness, beauty, dietary supplements, and ingredients. My trendspotting approach blends qualitative and quantitative research with hands-on fieldwork — from walking trade show floors to observing retail pilots and tasting the latest launches. I bridge the gap between market data and cultural relevance, helping brands make bold yet informed decisions. As a former beverage analyst, I led team tastings on cold brew and kombucha before they were mainstream. Today, I continue to chase the thrill of discovering fresh ideas — and helping others see why they matter. My love of food started early — first through Time-Life’s Foods of the World series, then while slinging bagel pizzas at Finagle a Bagel in Boston’s Faneuil Hall. I’ve lived in South Korea, Montreal, and Boston, and believe food is one of the best ways to understand people and culture. 📩 Let’s connect. Available for advisory calls, custom trend reports, speaking engagements, and media interviews. ✉️ Email: virginiaalee7@gmail.com