Ryan Hutmacher is an award-winning chef and founder of the Well Beyond Food Project, a consultancy that designs food experiences that foster connection & promote personal wellness. He’s credited for winning a nationally televised cooking competition on ABC’s “The CHEW”, speaking on the TEDx stage and countless media appearances. His unique skill-sets span three industries, including Hospitality, CPG and Healthcare.

Currently, Chef Ryan’s company produces “pop-up” team build cooking competitions and wellness retreats that enhance workplace culture and cultivate employee wellness. From interactive eating experiences to thematic marketing collaborations with lifestyle brands, food is the vehicle that he uses to connect people. 

Early in his career, Ryan founded a wellness-based catering company that evolved into a cooking school and event space. For more than a decade he’s consulted as a communications strategist & R&D chef working with global brands including Sara Lee and WW, where he served as the First-Ever Weight Watchers Chef & brand spokesperson. 

Most recently, Ryan consulted as corporate R&D Chef for The LiveKindly Collective, a well-funded, plant-based protein startup on a mission to “normalize plant-based eating”. While there he supported manufacturing trials including flavor optimizations for retail as well as bespoke product development for food service. 

Ryan is also a passionate speaker & educator who partners with healthcare organizations, NFP’s and hospital patients to deploy healthy cooking programs via webinars and onsite workshops. In his free time, he enjoys mushroom foraging, running and spontaneous travel.