Editor’s note: The following profile is from the 2023 Packer 25, our annual tribute to 25 leaders, innovators and agents of change across the fresh produce supply chain. (You can view all honorees here.) This feature has been edited for length and clarity.
Tal Shoshan — Founder and CEO, FiveStar Gourmet Foods
What are one or two key principles that you aim to instill in your company and team?
Two key principles that I instill in my company and team are attention to detail and consistency. I firmly believe that successful brands are built on a foundation of consistent quality and meticulous attention to detail.
I work tirelessly with my team members to embed this principle into every aspect of our operations. I want our clients to be certain that when they choose FiveStar Gourmet Foods and the Simply Fresh brand, they are receiving the very best.
What do you consider the most satisfying part of your work, and why?
The most satisfying part of my work is driving product innovation that fuels growth and success for both our clients and our company. Innovation is ingrained in our company culture, and the development of top-tier products is at the core of our identity. These innovative products not only contribute to our company’s success, but also elevate the industry.
Our relentless pursuit of fresh food excellence inspires our competitors to raise their standards, benefiting the entire marketplace. I am deeply passionate about setting a higher standard for the industry. It’s a mutually beneficial progression.
More about Tal Shoshan
Tal Shoshan is the founder and CEO of FiveStar Gourmet Foods, delivering culinary experiences under the Simply Fresh brands.
His professional culinary journey began in 1987, gaining experience in esteemed fine French restaurants in the Los Angeles area. Shoshan eventually received a litany of top honors recognizing his work in the culinary world.
In 1998, Shoshan divested a catering company he launched three years earlier to establish FiveStar Gourmet Foods, which today has over 1,500 employees and a nationwide footprint including four facilities that produce and distribute premium fresh offerings, including salads, snacks, meals and organic products under the Simply Fresh Brands, launched in 2015, as well as private labels for renowned restaurants, retailers and other food brands.
