Roquette America, a division of Roquette, will host a complimentary educational and collaborative session at its Customer Innovation Center in Geneva, Ill., on July 16-17, immediately following IFT13, the Institute of Food Technologists’ Annual Meeting & Food Expo, at McCormick Place in Chicago. The session, Smart Calories Solutions for Health and Wellness, is part of Roquette America’s Roquette University series.

“Roquette University and our Customer Innovation Center is about welcoming customers into our home for collaboration that’s not typically seen in the industry,” says Bernessa Wilson, marketing communications manager. “It’s designed to educate and inspire, so together, we can bring the latest industry trends from the lab to the consumer kitchen.”

At the conclusion of IFT13, Roquette America will offer complimentary transportation for registered attendees of its Smart Calories session. The shuttle will depart from McCormick Place on July 16 at 3:30 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., participants will be treated to a cocktail reception and dinner at the Customer Innovation Center. The dinner will include a chocolate demonstration by guest pastry chef Paul Saucedo of Cocoa Bean Geneva. Entertainment at 8 p.m. will feature a private performance by Grammy-Award-winning jazz saxophonist and recording artist Kirk Whalum.

The Smart Calories session, which begins at 9 a.m. on July 17, is based on Roquette America’s definition of Smart Calories—that calories and formulations are nutritionally and functionally balanced and optimized. Attendees will participate in a full day of lectures and discussions with a variety of industry experts.

The seminars will focus on specific segments of the functional food category, plus discussions on how to develop smarter food formulations with the addition of starch, fibers and proteins. The day will conclude with hands-on demonstrations of new culinary and confectionery formulations under the Smart Calories model.

For more information, visit www.RoquetteUniversity.com, call 630-463-9452 or stop by Roquette America's IFT booth (#2147).