Prior to opening my own ice cream shop, I have experienced both the academic and corporate worlds. I have a doctorate degree in Food Science and Technology with a minor in dairy and microbiology from Michigan State University.  I ate a lot of chocolate cheese and ice cream from the campus dairy store -- little did I know that this was the beginning of my getting hooked on ice cream.  I continued in the academic world by journeying to Rutgers University where I was an assistant professor in the Food Science Department.  That’s where I got my love of teaching!  From there I entered the corporate world of RJ Reynolds Tobacco’s Research and Development department.  I was hoping to get into the food research department with Nabisco.  It was spun off, so I took my corporate experience and started my own business - Blue Ridge Ice Creams - started in 1988, sold the business and became a full-time consultant in 2015.