Candy consultant · Milwaukee, WI
Making the science of sweets work for you!
I’m Kathleen O’Connell, a candy consultant and food scientist in Milwaukee. I help small-batch candy makers scale up, fix texture and shelf-life problems, and develop new gummies, taffy, marshmallows, chocolate and other confections.
- Free 30-minute call
- $149/hour
- Replies within 2 business days
Kathleen O’Connell
Confectionery food scientist
Milwaukee, WI · Clients across the US
- M.S. Food Science, UW-Madison
- AACT member
What I work on
The candy I work on
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Services
How I can help
- Scale-up from kitchen to production From a pot on the stove to a production run that comes out the same every time.
- New product development From an idea to a finished recipe you can produce. On-site at your kitchen or plant, with travel billed
- Sugar reduction Less sugar without losing texture or shelf life.
- Reformulation Cost reductions, plus allergen-free, gelatin-free, vegan and clean-label versions of your candy.
- Troubleshooting Texture, crystallization, bloom, moisture and shelf-life problems, traced to the cause.
- Shelf-life studies Studies that show how long your candy keeps, and what limits it. Designed for your facility or an outside lab
- Training for your team Candy science and process training for the people who make your product.
- Switching to natural colors and flavors Replacing synthetic dyes and artificial flavors with natural ones that hold their color and taste.
How it works
Four steps, starting with a free call
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Step 1: Send the form
Your name, email, company and what you make.
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Step 2: I reply within 2 business days
With a few questions and some times to talk.
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Step 3: A free 30-minute call
What you’re making and where it’s stuck.
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Step 4: An hours estimate, then the work
Once we agree on terms, we sign an NDA before you share formulas.
By the numbers
- 8 years in food science
- Worked with 30+ brands
- Helped 5+ startups bring a product to market
- Worked with 10+ contract manufacturers
- Published 2022
- UW-Madison Candy Course lecturer
Why candy
Why candy
“Candy is a good blend of science and creativity, and everyone likes candy.”
I like working on something everyone likes. Most of my career has been spent on gummies, chews, marshmallows and chocolate, in development labs and on production lines.
More about me
Rates
Simple, hourly rates
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Free consultation
Free
30-minute call to learn about your project
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Consulting
$149 /hour
Formulation, troubleshooting, scale-up and training
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Travel time
$75 /hour
Portal to portal, plus expenses at cost