SUZANNE FLOREK
Explore My Work
Suzanne Florek has enjoyed a lifelong romance with food and culture.
25+ years of experience in product innovation and commercialization has proven Suzanne to be a transformational business leader and 5-star chef with an entrepreneurial interdisciplinary skillset. She has a track record in driving growth, optimizing operations, and leading cross-functional teams to create market-leading products. Her unique talents demonstrate an ability to blend innovation, market insights, and strategic business acumen.
Suzanne was raised first in Connecticut and later in Madrid, Spain and finally Louisville, KY, Suzanne’s father (a native of Chile) and mother (a native of New York City) shared a global point of view with her from a young age. Food, culture and time spent sharing meals with family and friends were centerpieces in her young life.
Suzanne earned a business degree from Indiana University before pursuing her artistic passions at the Culinary Institute of America.
As a professional chef, Suzanne has worked behind some of the most prestigious stoves in Chicago. Spiaggia and Café Spiaggia were among Chicago’s very first nationally recognized 5-star restaurants. Many credit these restaurants as being ones that helped reshape Chicago’s reputation for meat and potatoes into the food destination that the city is today.
In the mid-90's Suzanne chose to make raising her young family of three boys a priority. Ever the believer in balance Suzanne continued to pursue her career as she raised her family and ran an innovation & new product development consultancy. She also launched Salty Fig, an online community for saving and sharing tested recipes. Salty Fig evolved beyond an online community into a bustling kitchen and pantry in Western Spring, IL.
A creative person at heart she currently is the executive chef at lil’gourmets an organic, spice forward, refrigerated baby food company and the COO and VP of Marketing for a start up in the OTC Hearing Aid space.
Suzanne is currently looking to blend her experience in health care and food to a career in “food as medicine” as her next chapter unfolds.
ABOUT SUZANNE FLOREK
My Work Showcase
ABOUT ME
Suzanne's Profile
I enjoy leading cross functional teams and working on complex business models. A large part of my success incorporates the use of my entrepreneurial skills. My ability to understand trends, manufacturing, the consumer's journey and financial goals drive my success.. Have a look at the work I’ve done in the past and get in touch to learn more. Cheers!
There is always another creative idea to follow...
SF
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
My Experience
SOUNDWAVE HEARING, LLC
COO | VICE PRESIDENT MARKETING
2019 - Present
Pioneered brand development and marketing strategies for OTC hearing aids.
Managed clinical trials, QMS, and contract manufacturing, ensuring regulatory compliance for FDA, ISO-13485 standards
Integrated automated systems, streamlining business operations for marketing, CRM, Shopify, affiliates, finance, QMS, and distribution, enhancing efficiency.
LIL'GOURMETS
FRACTIONAL CULINARY ADVISOR | STAKEHOLDER
2021 - Present
Increased revenue with refrigerated organic globally inspired spice-forward baby food new product innovation, resulting in significant growth and distribution.
Led ingredient reformulations, securing a competitive market position.
SUZANNE FLOREK INC., CONSULTING
OWNER | PRESIDENT
1994 - Present
Culinary business consultant specializing in the development of flavorful and clean-label new products and concepts from white space innovation through commercialization for Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG), Quick-Service Restaurants (QSR), and Food Service (FS) categories. Strategically innovates new product pipelines for clients, becoming an integral team member of clients' R&D and marketing departments. Meets targeted financial goals through project management, nutritional analysis, and sensory ingredient sourcing for new product design.
Categories have included snacks, chocolate, candy, chips, dried fruits, snack bars, juice, smoothies, coffee, breakfast items, bread, pastries, kids' meals, frozen and refrigerated dinners, meal kist, baby food, sandwiches, grains, beans, and spice rubs.
Fresh Factory: Fractional Culinary Advisor
Founder of a multi-functional custom website for recipe management, driving digital engagement and social media growth through ebook compilation.
NOBLE COMMUNICATION
DIRECTOR OF CULINARY SERVICES
1993-1994
Developed business strategies to solve clients’ challenges for Food Service and Consumer Packaged Goods accounts.
Managed culinary teams on innovative menu design and product innovation for brands including Heinz, Life Savers, General Foods, Stella Cheese, and Pillbury.
2016-2018
EXECUTIVE CHEF
SALTY FIG KITCHEN + PANTRY, OWNER
Founded and was the brand architect of a Rustic New American restaurant and retail concept with a test kitchen focusing on wellness and flavor-forward food. Achieved rapid growth and market penetration, culminating in a successful exit.
1991 - 1993
EXECUTIVE CHEF
TUTTAPOSTO, Mediterranean Taverna
EXECUTIVE CHEF
SPIAGGIA | SPIAGGIA CAFÉ | LEVY RESTAURANTS
1988-1991
Created and managed all food operations for Chicago's critically acclaimed 5-star dining establishment and sister café. Promoted from apprentice to executive chef in three years.
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