Yoshinori Horii

Principal, Kara Nielsen Food Trends (Oakland, CA)

Kara Nielsen, the original ‘trendologist’, is an expert in food and beverage trends and the consumer values that drive trend growth and adoption at Kara Nielsen Food Trends. For over fifteen years, she has translated trends into strategic brand growth and product development for the world's largest food companies through her work at strategy and trend-forecasting firms, including WGSN, Sterling-Rice Group, Innova Market Insights, and the Center for Culinary Development.

Kara has a background in culinary arts and hospitality as a pastry chef and restaurant manager in the Bay Area. She managed educational programs at Copia: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts in Napa. She has a master's degree in gastronomy from Boston University and two WSET Certificates. Kara is currently an adjunct instructor in gastronomy and food systems at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. (Linkedin: linkedin.com/karanielsen)