Monogram Foods Expands Customer Innovation Capabilities with Addition of Acclaimed Corporate Chef
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE — (September 09, 2026) – Monogram Foods today announced the addition of Tony Finnestad as Director of Culinary Innovation and Strategic Sales, a newly created role that reinforces the company’s commitment to helping customers win in the marketplace through crave-worthy food solutions, culinary expertise, and operational excellence.
Finnestad brings extensive foodservice and culinary leadership experience to Monogram Foods, having most recently served as Corporate Chef for Basic American Foods. Throughout his career, he has partnered with leading foodservice organizations to develop innovative menu concepts, lead culinary ideation sessions, and build strategic relationships that accelerate growth. He is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and has held leadership roles across food manufacturing, higher education, and restaurant operations.
In this new role, Finnestad will work closely with customers and cross-functional teams to transform emerging consumer trends into commercially successful food solutions. His expertise will strengthen Monogram’s ability to deliver on three key commitments to customers: culinary acumen, speed to market, and operational excellence.
“As consumer expectations evolve faster than ever, our customers need partners who can help them identify opportunities, develop differentiated menu and product concepts, and bring them to market quickly,” says Jeff Frank, Chief Executive Officer of Monogram Foods. “Tony’s culinary expertise, customer-first mindset, and proven ability to connect innovation with execution make him an exceptional addition to our team. His leadership will help us create even greater value for our customers and support their long-term growth.”
Finnestad will serve as a key member of Monogram’s commercial organization, leading customer-facing culinary initiatives, supporting strategic sales opportunities, and helping prioritize innovation efforts that align with customer needs and market trends. By bringing culinary insights directly into the commercialization process, Monogram will be able to accelerate concept development, enhance collaboration with customers, and deliver solutions that are both operationally scalable and consumer-relevant.
“Tony’s addition elevates our ability to partner with customers from idea generation through commercialization,” said Mike Medor, Chief Commercial Officer of Monogram Foods. “His experience combining culinary creativity with business strategy will help us bring bold, crave-worthy concepts to life while maintaining the quality, consistency, and operational performance our customers depend on. This investment reflects our commitment to being more than a supplier. We are a strategic growth partner.”
The creation of the Director of Culinary Innovation and Strategic Sales role reflects Monogram Foods’ continued focus on investing in capabilities that help customers respond to changing consumer preferences, unlock new opportunities, and grow their businesses through innovative food solutions. Alongside the roles of Chief Commercial Officer and Vice President of Food Service, this is one of three new leaders who have joined Monogram in the past six months, designed to accelerate smart customer growth.
About Monogram Foods
Monogram Foods is a leading manufacturer of branded and private-label food products. Guided by a commitment to innovation, quality, and customer partnership, the company delivers differentiated food solutions that help customers succeed across retail and foodservice channels.