NCFIL + JWU Partnership: Patillo Featured in Spectrum and JWU Articles 

Chris Patillo, NC Food Innovation Lab (NCFIL) intern, was featured in “Johnson & Wales graduate helps create new plant-based foods” on Spectrum News North Carolina. His internship was also highlighted in “JWU Joins North Carolina Food Innovation Lab to Create New Food Concepts“ on Inside at JWU Charlotte, JWU’s official faculty and staff online newsletter.

Opportunity for Growth

Patillo, a 2021 Johnson & Wales graduate, was one of JWU-Charlotte’s first summer interns at NCFIL. Patillo, who is currently a temporary employee at NCFIL, is thrilled to be “part of something that is leading the food industry in plant-based beverages and meat alternatives.” 

Working with NCFIL’s state-of-the-art equipment allowed Patillo to develop an organic-powdered fruit beverage and different types of plant-based milk throughout the course of his internship. He was involved in all phases of product development – formulation, production, and distribution – and he’s since seen one of his creations on a local grocery store shelf.

Patillo recognizes the opportunity for personal growth at NCFIL and says he is learning something new everyday. David Jewell, D.H.Sc., dean of academic affairs at JWU-Charlotte, sees the same value for future students: “[T]his program and internship with NCFIL is just one step in which we are expanding our exploration and expertise in food.” 

Find Out More

To learn more about Patillio’s experience as a NCFIL intern, watch the video or read the full Spectrum article here and the Inside at JWU feature here. 

NCFIL works not only with interns, but will also offer food safety and processing training and food startup training later this winter to food manufacturers and entrepreneurs. Or, if you’re ready to create your own plant-based product, we’re interested in partnering with you!