Creativity knows no bounds when it comes to culinary creations, and at Kellanova, we’re entering a new era with bold ambition. As we create the future of food, we’re proud to welcome Chef Shari Cruz as our newest Chef in Residence. For the next year, Chef Cruz will use our foods to create new and compelling dishes, bringing a fresh perspective and a world of culinary delights to our kitchen.

The Kellanova Chef in Residence program

The Chef in Residence fellowship is a unique and exciting program that provides opportunities for talented chefs to work at the W.K. Kellogg Institute for Food Technology in Battle Creek, Michigan. There, they lean into their food innovation skills, collaborate with Kellanova’s culinary team, and create new products that reflect diverse tastes and cultures.

The program has a profound purpose – to celebrate and preserve the rich culinary traditions of Black and Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities worldwide. It's more than just cooking; it's about recognizing the historical and cultural significance of food, and its remarkable ability to bring people from all walks of life together.

Eggo meets aloha: a flavorful journey through Polynesian cuisine and culture

Chef Cruz hails from the breathtaking Big Island of Hawaii, with a rich heritage that includes Filipino and Chamorro roots from the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and Guam. Her culinary journey is deeply rooted in her family's legacy: with family-owned businesses and a papaya farm, she was surrounded by agriculture and food from an early age. Her father, a corporate chef, played a pivotal role in opening restaurants across Hawaii and Las Vegas, while her mother contributed her financial expertise to the hospitality industry. These influences set the stage for Shari's own culinary passion.

During her residency, Chef Shari has an exciting lineup of projects in mind. From cultural broadcasts and food hub takeovers, to delicious recipes starring our iconic foods like Eggo, she’ll be sharing her culinary expertise and culture in a big way. She’ll also work with the Kellanova team to explore the impact of food and culture with employees.

Pushing the boundaries of flavor

As the home of iconic foods and brands like MorningStar Farms, Eggo and Pringles, Kellanova wants to push beyond boundaries and across borders to create foods and brands that help to fuel the best in everyone, everywhere. Programs like this fellowship not only help us promote diversity in the culinary arts, but also embrace new perspectives that will help us shape the future of food.