A food scientist's unexpected journey through flavors, formulas, careers, and the messy, meaningful process of finding purpose.
In Beyond the Lab Coats, José and Yelena Barbosa pull back the curtain on the food, beverage, and supplement industries-while sharing the humor, chaos, and life lessons earned along the way. What begins as aimlessness and early missteps transforms into a story about growth, resilience, and finding clarity through both failures and breakthroughs.
From leading R&D teams for world-class brands to navigating the politics of innovation, the authors explore the science of formulation, the turning points that shaped their careers, and the everyday moments that fueled their family's journey. With honesty and warmth, they reveal the behind-the-scenes realities that most consumers never get to see.
Equal parts memoir, industry insider tour, and personal reflection, this book is for readers who:
- Enjoy behind-the-scenes stories from the food, beverage, or wellness world
- Appreciate narratives about career growth, reinvention, and resilience
- Are curious about how products are created, tested, and brought to life
- Work in corporate environments and recognize the unspoken rules
- Seek an inspiring, humorous look at choosing purpose over perfection
- Want a relatable story about balancing ambition, family, and self-discovery
- Love real-world insights wrapped in heartfelt storytelling
At its core, Beyond the Lab Coats is about ordinary people learning, stumbling, building, and starting again-told with candor, curiosity, and the belief that clarity comes from the journeys we don't plan.
Whether you're in product development, a science-driven field, corporate leadership, or simply love a good memoir, this book will leave you entertained, reflective, and maybe even a little braver about your own path.
