Food Innovation Center Operations Manager
Nicholas Trujillo is the Operations Manager for the Food Innovation Center and Terra Kitchen at CSU Spur. A “well-seasoned” food industry generalist and self-described food geek, he has a passion for culinary science and an insatiable desire to learn and grow. Nicholas hopes to make the resources at CSU Spur accessible to anyone interested in learning more about the food industry.
Originally from New Mexico, Nicholas attended the University of Maine where he received a Bachelor of Science in Food Science and Human Nutrition. He has spent over a decade working in different food service settings, ranging from small independent restaurants to large corporate kitchens with a variety of cuisines and dining concepts. After graduating, he went to work in quality assurance for a large seafood manufacturing company where he worked frequently with regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with current food safety regulations. Later, he worked for a dynamic food start-up in sunny southern California, wearing many hats while overseeing the production and distribution of vegan snacks in 4 states. Most recently, Nicholas worked in research and development for a private-label food manufacturing company, taking ideas and concepts and turning them into real products in grocery stores across the nation.
Nicholas is passionate about food and wants to ensure that anyone who has a great idea can come to CSU Spur and find the resources they need to become successful. He currently lives with his wife and son in the Denver area and enjoys fishing, dancing, and exploring new cooking styles and techniques.
