Cuisine Solutions CEO Felipe Hasselmann wins Entrepreneur Of The Year US National Award
Felipe Hasselmann, President and CEO of Cuisine Solutions
Felipe Hasselmann, President and CEO of Cuisine Solutions, has been named the Entrepreneur Of The Year® US National Award winner for 2023.
“Felipe, an immigrant, revolutionized the food sector and is now the world’s largest manufacturer of sous vide food,” said the judges who determined the award winners for Ernst & Young Global Limited in the press release. “The company’s staggering growth and plant expansion around the globe are impressive.”
Cuisine Solutions is the world’s largest manufacturer of sous vide foods. The term sous vide is French for “under vacuum,” which involves sealing food in a plastic pouch or glass jar and slowly cooking it in a water bath at a regulated temperature. This style of recipe has been integral to Hasselmann's success.
Hasselmann is originally from Brazil and joined Cuisine Solutions in 2000 as Chief of Staff and Head of Internal Development. When he started with the company, Cuisine Solutions operated a single plant with a focus on providing airlines with meals for first-class passengers.
Now, the company operates six plants in the US, France and Thailand. It delivers food to large organizations, including the US military, international airlines, cruise lines and national restaurant chains.
Hasselmann’s approach to his work stems from creating a people-first culture. His motto, “10 miles wide, 100 miles deep,” refers to the importance of quality relationships, EY said in its announcement. This emphasis on valuing the people within the company speaks to the strong supplier ties that Cuisine Solutions has maintained throughout the pandemic.
The company also strives to make a positive social and environmental impact. One example is the solar panels at its San Antonio, Texas, plant power where 100% of its operations, and excess power is shared with the city.
Cuisine Solutions has also hired more than 200 immigrants from Afghanistan, Ukraine and Russia, in response to the global refugee crisis. It is providing free accommodations for them for six months.
