Start a Food Story
Food Innovation
with impact
I help food companies move from insight to execution: faster, smarter and with confidence.
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Innovation in a DAY
Or in a WEEK or in a YEAR….
Food Innovation Consultancy, Keynotes & Coaching
Stories
Inspiring Articles, Podcasts & Columns
Fresh perspectives, proven strategies and inspiration
Shop
Books & Tools
To inspire your Food Innovation Journey
NEWS
Dutch Design Week 2026 – Where to go – Mary’s favourites
Mary’s Favourites is a carefully curated guide to the must-see projects, exhibitions and events at Dutch Design Week 2026 in Eindhoven, exploring the exciting intersections of food, innovation, design and sustainability.
DDW26 | The FOOD INSIDERS Tour
Een exclusieve, gecureerde foodtour langs bijzondere food innovaties, verborgen parels en inspirerende makers tijdens Dutch Design Week op 21 oktober 2026.
Vakantie als innovatielab
The article by Mary van Hoek-Hendriks explores why holiday inspiration doesn’t automatically translate into innovation. Food is culture, tradition and meaning, not just a product. The real challenge? Understanding why something works there before reinventing it here.
Innovation in a DAY
Innovation Trajectories
From quick wins to full innovation trajectories. Choose the pace that works for you.
- Innovation in a Day: Quick inspiration + action
- Innovation in a Week: Focused sprint, tangible results
- Innovation in a Year: Full innovation journey with measurable impact
Speaking
Fresh Perspectives to Drive Innovation
- Keynotes & Talks: Delivering fresh perspectives and actionable insights on food innovation
- Moderation: Leading engaging conversations and guiding panels with energy and focus
- Jury Panel: Evaluating and recognising innovation with a sharp, strategic lens
WRiting
Books, Tools & Articles
Fresh insights and perspectives to spark new thinking in food innovation.
- Trends & Insights: Exploring developments shaping the future of food
- Lessons Learned: Real experiences from innovation projects, awesome entrepreneurs and collaborations
- Ideas to Act On: Practical inspiration you can apply directly
MARY
Start a Food Story
Mary van Hoek-Hendriks is a force of nature in the food innovation world: part strategist, part creative wizard and part reality-checker. Through Start a Food Story, she helps start-ups turn ambitious ideas into sustainable business cases and guides innovation teams in bigger companies to move faster, think smarter, and actually get things done.
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