We are kicking off the fifth season of the Flavour Talks podcast with Craig Duckham, winner of last year's Bill Little John Award.

Following several years in university research at Nottingham, Lancaster and Reading, investigating plant biochemistry, biogenic volatile emissions and flavour chemistry, Craig pursued a career in small molecule analysis and technical management. This led to a roles in contract R&D and technology transfer management in the microencapsulation industry. He has operated across diverse sectors including six years developing yeast as a carrier of flavourings and other functional ingredients and three years developing sensory tools for water, beverage, and food quality control. In 2012 Craig founded CD R&D Consultancy Services to provide independent technical support to both developing and mature businesses.Craig gained his doctorate in Plant Physiology from The University of Nottingham in 1992 and he is a BSF Fellow, a Fellow of the Institute of Food Science and Technology and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology. Craig applies his multidisciplinary background to support further understanding of taste and flavour and to encourage the next generation of flavour scientists to pursue careers in the food and beverage sector.

Host: Trevor Groome, Music: Aidan Kirkwood, Editing: Yusuf Toprak, Publishing: Ján Peťka

We are thrilled to publish our first podcast in Chinese: Please meet Yi Fengping, Ph.D., Professor and doctoral supervisor at Shanghai Institute of Technology. She joined the university in 2005. Since 2010, as the head of the Flavor & Fragrance Technology and Engineering Department, she has witnessed the professional development from undergraduate to master's and doctoral stages. The discipline has now become a leading educational and research hub in China for systematically cultivating technical talents in the Flavor & Fragrance field. With profound expertise and strong capabilities, it has been recognized as a national first-class undergraduate major, enjoying high influence nationwide and globally, earning titles such as "Cradle of Chinese Perfumers" and "Key Industrialization Base for Flavor & Fragrance Cosmetics Scientific Achievements in China." Since 2010, she has been regarded as a flavor & fragrance specialist in China's Flavor & Fragrance industry. With a strong academic background—graduated from the Applied Chemistry program at East China University of Science and Technology—her achievements include winning the Shanghai Teaching Achievement Award (Grand Prize), Shanghai Education System March 8th Red Flag Bearer, Shanghai Talent Award, Shanghai Institute of Technology Teaching Celebrity, and Shanghai Institute of Technology "Teacher of My Heart." She currently serves as the head of the Flavor & Fragrance Technology and Engineering major.

Host: Zhengyong Yan, Michel Aubanel, Music: Aidan Kirkwood, Editing: Yusuf Toprak, Publishing: Ján Peťka

Jean Mane is the former president of V. MANE FILS SAS, one of the global leaders in the flavour and fragrance industry. Under his leadership, which began in 1995, the company underwent a period of innovation and international expansion, establishing itself as # 5 in the Industry.
Recognised as a European flavour expert since 1984, Jean Mane has a strong academic background in chemical engineering from two Parisian universities and in synthetic organic chemistry from MIT. He has previously served as president of the International Organisation of the Flavour Industry (IOFI), the European Flavour Association (EFFA) and Syndicat National des Industries Aromatiques Alimentaires (SNIAA) in France.
His achievements include receiving two of the highest French knighthoods: the Légion d’Honneur and the Ordre National du Mérite. He has also received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the International Spice Conference and was named Entrepreneur of the Year 2011 for France by EY. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board and Managing Director at MANE KANCOR.

Host: Trevor Groome, Michel Aubanel, Séan Ryan, Music: Aidan Kirkwood, Editing: Mark Millward, Publishing: Ján Peťka