The Future of Menus

As Firebirds Wood Fired Grill Vice President Marketing, Stephen Loftis is an insights-driven, senior level marketing executive and brand builder with a track record of building successful sales-driven initiatives that react to consumer wants and needs and result in sustainable growth. Stephen is highly respected for leading collaborative teams and developing research-driven marketing programs to drive immediate sales and build brand loyalty for Firebirds Wood Fired Grill. While his passion is rooted in the restaurant and hospitality world, Stephen’s award-winning expertise spans multiple industries including sports, real estate, technology, health care, insurance, and finance.

Lizzy Freier is a Senior Research Manager at Technomic, a Winsight Company, with more than 10 years of experience tracking menu trends and data. Lizzy covers trending flavors, ingredients, dishes and preparations for food and beverage at independent restaurants, emerging chains and top chain restaurant brands. She has also analyzed global trends. She has presented at numerous conferences in the U.S. and Canada on menu trend development for restaurant operators, manufacturers and distributors.

Lilly Jan is a lecturer of food and beverage at the School of Hotel Administration. She brings nearly 15 years of experience in hospitality and foodservice, having worked in restaurants, catering and events, retail, and television production. Prior to joining Cornell, she was the Director of Culinary Operations for Newbury College in Brookline, Massachusetts. Jan also served as a faculty member and academic advisor at Newbury College, creating and teaching a range of classes across culinary and hospitality management. She has also taught for Le Cordon Bleu and Boston University.

As a chef, product and recipe developer, and foodservice consultant, Jan has worked with a variety of food-based businesses, including a food truck, on-demand food delivery, food start-up, and retail food stores. She specializes in operations management, focusing on ushering food business concepts to market.

A frequent speaker and media contact on food culture, cooking and Chinese cuisine, Jan has been featured in print and radio outlets. She worked on TV production for America's Test Kitchen and was a regular contributor for WGBH's Boston Public Radio.

Jan is a two-time graduate of Boston University in Communications (B.Sc.) and Gastronomy (M.L.A.). She earned her Ph.D. from Iowa State University in hospitality management with a focus on food allergy knowledge and training in ethnic restaurants. Her research interests include workplace training and education in foodservice, career progression in foodservice, food safety and food allergy in restaurants, and culture and cuisine.