Welcome to Meet Your Manager where you’ll get a chance to learn about the individuals driving Zerocater’s meal planning engine to change a $100 billion industry with technology that helps companies build a better workplace culture through food.
- Brad Barr
- Food Experience Manager
- Austin, TX
What did you do prior to joining Zerocater and how did you end up at Zerocater?
I’ve been in and out of the hospitality and grocery industries for most of my working career. Like so many others in the not-so-distant past, I found myself being laid-off in an uncertain time. I ended up at Zerocater for various reasons. I was looking for a middle ground of sorts…somewhere I could utilize my industry experience and still be connected to food, but in a role that offered new challenges and opportunities. More like writing a new book as opposed to a new chapter in my life.
What is unique or motivating about the work you do at Zerocater?
Zerocater is unique, and by nature, so much of what we do every day is also. This brings a sense of adventure to the challenges we face and the questions we ask. But with it, a sense of accomplishment knowing that you’ve charted a course through the unknown. Knowing that I get to be a part of something trailblazing in so many ways is what motivates me.
Since you are fairly new to joining Zerocater, what project or initiative are you most excited about?
The further development and integration of technology and the continued improvement to our meal planning tools are the most exciting initiatives for me right now. The Wright Brothers could have never imagined the evolution of flight enabled by technology. I feel like the Zerocater vision for the future is like a rocketship that we are reverse-engineering.
Which Zerocater value resonates most with your team?
Take smart risks. The confidence level around the decisions we make as planners is only as good as the data we have available. The FX team takes a lot of ownership in their individual clients and is comfortable making hard decisions and taking smart risks with what can sometimes be a limited or imperfect set of data points.
If there was one word or phrase that describes your company culture what would it be and why?
Cheerful. There are so many bright and friendly personalities amongst the teams. Everyone tends to be very uplifting and carry a positive attitude for the future of Zerocater.
What was your least favorite food as a child? Do you still hate it or do you love it now?
Potato Salad. My grandmother’s recipe contained 3 of my least favorite ingredients: mustard, mayonnaise, and sweet relish. I’ve gotten past my love/hate relationship with it. And I’ve made a few versions of potato salad adjusting the mustard/mayonnaise ratios and omitting the relish, but it’s not a regular menu item for me.
If you had to eat one meal every day for the rest of your life what would it be?
Spaghetti with garlic bread and a mixed greens salad. This was one of my favorite meals growing up and always brings a sense of comfort when I fix it. It’s a dish that can be made to taste unique each time and continues to build flavor while storing.
