Flavour Talks

Welcome to this episode of our podcast, recorded on World Arts Day, featuring the visionary perfumer Christophe Laudamiel. Known for his innovative approach to fragrance design, Christophe has created scents for some of the world's leading brands and has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of olfactory artistry. In this inspiring conversation, he shares his insights on the importance of forging your own path in the creative world of flavours and fragrances. He encourages listeners to embrace their individuality and resist the limitations imposed by external influences. Join us as we dive into the power of self-expression and chat about how to stay true to ourselves on our creative journeys. (02:45) How Christophe became a perfumer? (15:30) Memorable innovation (21:25) Flavours and society’s acceptance (26:15) What keeps the perfumer up at night (32:00) Enhancing flavours from a perfumer’s perspective (37:45) Christophe and the work at Osmo (42:30) Collaboration with chefs and bartenders (46:16) The First Synthetic Molecule (51:40) Industry Constraints (53:05) Realism in Perfumery and flavours (55:00) Smelling “Spacewood” (1:00:10) Perfumers and flavourists – who are seen as artists? (1:06:40) Inspiration in unlikely places (1:17:05) How life’s challenges inspire creativity? (1:24:00) A Message to the Next Generation Host: Aidan Kirkwood, Michel Aubanel, Seán Ryan, Music: Aidan Kirkwood, Editing: Britta Nobis, Publishing: Ján Peťka

The world of flavours is relatively small, so there are just few iconic personalities. One of them is undoubtedly Andy Taylor. After 32 successful years at the University of Nottingham, where he pioneered the study of flavour release from food, he changed career direction in 2010 to found a spin-out company, Flavometrix. He then joined Mars Petcare where he worked for 6 years. Andy currently works with a number of companies to help develop flavour research strategies and to mentor younger researchers in planning and managing their research projects. His association with the University of Nottingham continues through his role as Emeritus Professor, where he works on an ad hoc basis to support and develop younger researchers and is one of the key people organising the key flavour research event: Weurman Symposium. Host: Trevor Groome, Music: Aidan Kirkwood, Editing: Mark Millward, Publishing: Ján Peťka © 2024 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Society of Flavourists⁠

Paola Totaro is an award-winning journalist, editor and author covering global issues including politics, health, social policy, indigenous rights, arts and culture. She has written for major publications and is passionate about storytelling, engaging diverse audiences and mentoring young journalists. When award-winning reporter Paola Totaro lost her sense of smell to Covid in March 2020, her world changed and dulled in an instant. Her latest book, On the Scent, is a memoir/scientific detective story that explores the mysterious sense of smell and its impact on emotional wellbeing, relationships and interpretation. It explores the experiences of patients and scientists and highlights its potential as a health indicator. Host: Trevor Groome and Seán Ryan, Music: Aidan Kirkwood, Editing: Maria Palassarou, Publishing: Ján Peťka © 2024 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Society of Flavourists⁠

Professor Thomas Hummel is a renowned expert in the field of smell and taste. He supervises work area and outpatient clinic "Smell and Taste" at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology at the TU Dresden and heads the interdisciplinary centre "Smell and Taste", where he studies the physiology and pathophysiology of smell and taste. His work includes the diagnosis and treatment of olfactory and gustatory disorders. Host: Trevor Groome and Michel Aubanel, Music: Aidan Kirkwood, Editing: Maria Palassarou, Publishing: Ján Peťka © 2024 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠British Society of Flavourists⁠