About Elli

Ellie M. Watts, is the Director of the Food Processing Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. A proud native of Nebraska, Ellie grew up on a family farm near Fairfield, where her passion for the food industry was ignited as she helped raise crops and livestock. This early hands-on experience instilled in her a deep appreciation for the journey from farm to table, fueling her drive to innovate and excel in the field of Food Science. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and an Associate’s degree from Southeast Community College, Beatrice.

Ellie’s professional journey includes significant roles at Conagra Brands, where she served as the Director of Research Development, Manager of Research & Development, Senior Food Scientist, and Associate Food Technologist. Her work at Conagra spanned various food categories, including snacks, baked goods, frozen meals, dairy products, and shelf-stable canned goods ranging from soups to pie fillings, to tomato, pickles, and syrups. She also held positions at TreeHouse Foods as Manager of Research & Development, and at Rembrandt Foods as New Product Development Manager. Early in her career, Ellie gained valuable experience as a Quality Assurance Intern at Tyson Foods.

At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ellie leads the Food Processing Center, a multi-disciplinary resource established in 1983. The Center offers a unique combination of technical and business development services under one roof, catering to manufacturers, entrepreneurs, suppliers, distributors, associations, retailers, and food service providers. It is equipped to work with products in every major food group, including grains and oilseeds, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, and poultry. The Center’s mission is to enhance value throughout the process, from idea through ongoing market support, providing a wide variety of customized services delivered in a confidential, price-competitive, and timely manner.

Throughout her career, Ellie has excelled in new product and process development, sensory evaluation, and client relations, making her a key player in the food processing industry and supporting value-added agricultural products.

Presentation

Taste of Triumph: Secrets to thriving in the Food Industry: Unlock the secrets to success in the competitive world of food entrepreneurship with “Taste of Triumph.” Join me to delve into essential strategies and insights needed to develop your culinary dreams into a thriving saleable product. From perfecting your product’s taste and quality to understanding regulatory and nutritional compliance, branding considerations, and scaling up to pilot plant and co-manufacturing, this session will provide the tools and knowledge to navigate the development process with confidence. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, “Taste of Triumph” will give you valuable inputs into your recipe for success.