WARNING: You will leave hungry from this episode! In the latest installment of Zone of Genius, guests Julia Collins, founder/CEO of Planet FWD, Nyesha Arrington, award-winning chef, restaurateur, and entrepreneur, and Alvin Salehi, cofounder/chairman of Shef, sit down with the Cultural Leadership Fund to share their insights about our ties to food. From comfort and safety to supply chain to the only way to make a proper mac n cheese, explore the many ways technology and the food industry impacts what we eat. Topics covered: 1:30: first memories around food 8:38: the correct way to make mac and cheese! 11:00: Julia’s focus on food tech and how brands are embracing technology to reimagine food systems 14:00: The relationship between climate and food, including the power of seaweed 17:00: simple ways to develop sustainable habits every day 21:34: Shef’s mission of empowering the next generation of food entrepreneurs 26:15: How food and diet trends impact our relationship with food 27:37: Nyesha on how we can demystify cooking and get comfortable in the kitchen 29:51: Nyesha on how rising culinary stars are shaping the future of food as a mentor on Next Level Chef 32:00: The changing culture of the food industry away from toxic kitchen culture 33:33: Where we get our food and how to untangle the food supply chain 35:32: What’s next for Nyesha on her journey from award-winning chef to restauranteur to TV host to entrepreneur and investor 40:35: Technology’s role across the food industry 45:25: The group’s go-to comfort food 49:45: Challenges the group is facing in their respective areas of food Stay updated: Find the Cultural Leadership Fund on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a16zclf/ Find the Cultural Leadership Fund on Twitter: https://twitter.com/a16zCLF/ Find a16z on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a16z Follow our guests: Julia Collins: https://www.instagram.com/juliaecollins/; https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-collins-8b0a909/ Nyesha Arrington: https://www.instagram.com/nyeshajoyce/ Alvin Salehi:https://twitter.com/alvinsalehi_ ; https://www.instagram.com/ordershef/ 🎵 by @PiffMartiTV The content here is for informational purposes only, should not be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security, and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. Please note that a16z and its affiliates may maintain investments in the companies discussed in this podcast. For more details, including a link to our investments, please see a16z.com/disclosures.