The Unlocking the Secrets of Food Science program is an educational workshop series developed by the LSU AgCenter Food Innovation Institute (FOODii) and the School of Nutrition and Food Sciences to connect everyday foods with the science behind how they are made. Through hands‑on demonstrations, interactive discussions, and science‑based recipes, the program helps participants better understand food ingredients, processing methods, and the physical and chemical changes that occur during cooking.

This page serves as the central hub for all 2025 educational materials created for the series. Visitors can access downloadable fact sheets, science explanations, and companion recipes developed for each workshop. These materials were designed to extend learning beyond the live events and support continued exploration at home, in classrooms, and in community or extension programming.

During 2025, the series featured multiple themed workshops that paired familiar foods with practical food science concepts. Sessions included the Mardi Gras Edition (King Cake), Summer Edition (Ice Cream Cake), and Back‑to‑School Edition (Toaster Pastries). Each workshop highlighted key topics such as ingredient functionality, texture development, sugar crystallization, fermentation, emulsions, freezing behavior, and food quality considerations. Together, these materials demonstrate how food science principles apply to real‑world cooking and product development.

Use the links below to explore each 2025 workshop and download the corresponding educational resources.