We’re kicking off Season 9 of Forktales with a deep dive into the world of duck.
Joey Jurgielewicz is Director of Client Service at Tasty Duck—one of the largest and most respected duck producers in North America. With a background in hospitality and a deep knowledge of the family business, Joey is helping lead the charge in bringing premium duck to chefs, retailers and consumers nationwide.
In this episode of Forktales, Joey talks heritage breeds, fat-to-meat ratios, and why duck belongs on more than just fine dining menus. He breaks down new product innovations, zero-waste sustainability efforts, and the company’s core belief that happy ducks make tastier ducks.
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Forktales is a podcast and video series that feeds the food, beverage, restaurant, and hospitality industries with insights, innovations, and incredibly entertaining stories. Each episode we interview the industry's leaders from veterans to the up and comers, to get a glimpse of trends, trials, tribulations, and more.
Joey Jurgielewicz – Duck industry leader and champion of happy poultry
We’re kicking off Season 9 of Forktales with a deep dive into the world of duck.
Joey Jurgielewicz is Director of Client Service at Tasty Duck—one of the largest and most respected duck producers in North America. With a background in hospitality and a deep knowledge of the family business, Joey is helping lead the charge in bringing premium duck to chefs, retailers and consumers nationwide.
In this episode of Forktales, Joey talks heritage breeds, fat-to-meat ratios, and why duck belongs on more than just fine dining menus. He breaks down new product innovations, zero-waste sustainability efforts, and the company’s core belief that happy ducks make tastier ducks.
Season 8 highlights
Season 8 of Forktales served up a fresh batch of bold voices and breakthrough ideas from across the food and beverage industry. From Sean Zecman’s insights on scaling a food distribution powerhouse to Kenny Morrison’s mission to normalize cannabis beverages, we explored innovation at every level.
Laurel Orley and Denise Woodard shared how mission-driven snacking can drive both purpose and profit, while Judy Joo redefined authenticity in modern Korean cuisine. We went local with Josh Kesler and Peter Newlin, global with Stephanie Jaeger and Clara Paye, and talked brand-building and hustle with Yanni Hufnagel and Jeff Broadhurst. Every guest brought flavor, strategy, and something unforgettable to the table.
Sean Zecman – Food distribution leader and innovator
Sean Zecman is the Executive Chairman of National Food Group and a second-generation leader in the institutional food distribution space. With a focus on schools and correctional facilities, Sean has helped grow the family business from a $16 million operation into a $240 million industry powerhouse by leaning into innovation, customer insight, and a culture that embraces experimentation and resilience.
In this episode of Forktales, Sean talks about fostering a “fail first” culture that encourages bold thinking, his company’s commitment to reducing food waste, adapting packaging for sustainability, and navigating evolving consumer demands around transparency and nutrition.
Kenny Morrison – Founder of VCC Brands and Pioneer in Cannabis-Infused Beverages
Kenny Morrison is the founder of VCC Brands and CQ Drinks, and a pioneer in the world of cannabis-infused edibles and beverages. His expertise lies in crafting products that normalize cannabis consumption while staying ahead of shifting regulations, cultural trends, and consumer expectations.
In this episode of Forktales, Kenny talks about his journey from filming a cannabis dispensary to running one of the first in Los Angeles. He shares how CQ Drinks is challenging outdated stoner stereotypes by focusing on approachable, female-friendly branding and fast-acting THC delivery.
Laurel Orley – CEO of Daily Crunch and Innovator in Better-for-You Snacking
Laurel Orley is the founder and CEO of Daily Crunch Snacks, a women-owned, mission-driven snack brand known for its sprouted, air-dried almonds and bold flavor combinations. With a background in advertising, Laurel brings a deep understanding of branding, storytelling, and consumer insight to her entrepreneurial journey.
In this episode of Forktales, Laurel shares the family recipe that inspired her product and how she carved out a space in the crowded snack aisle. She talks about the mental health mission behind the Daily Crunch brand and the power of flavor-forward innovation.
Judy Joo – Chef, entrepreneur and leading voice in modern Korean cuisine
Judy Joo is a chef, entrepreneur, and TV personality who left Wall Street to follow her passion for food. A graduate of Columbia and the French Culinary Institute, she trained in world-renowned kitchens and went on to become an Iron Chef and the founder of Seoul Bird, a fast-casual Korean fried chicken concept.
On this episode of Forktales, Judy talks about using her engineering and finance background to run restaurants, breaking barriers in male-dominated industries, and redefining what authenticity means in Korean cuisine.
