Skip to Content

#39 (S5E1) Good vs. Great: Crafting a Better Pretzel

Heather Prach, John Stefanik, Kat Shanahan

JAN 5, 2026 | What’s in Store

Share:

Good vs. Great: Crafting a Better Pretzel with John Stefanik (Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Ditsch USA)

In this episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA (What’s in Store), Heather Prach, VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, sits down with John Stefanik, VP of Sales & Marketing at Ditsch USA, for a lively conversation about pretzel craft, category innovation, and what’s next for bakery.

John breaks down what separates a good pretzel from a great one—from authentic dough and the classic caustic bath to the behind-the-scenes time and temperature details that create a truly memorable bite. He also shares why fermentation is one of the most underrated (and most fascinating) parts of the bakery process—where science, chemistry, and artistry all collide.

Looking ahead, John talks about new growth opportunities, including a new facility and a developing R&D lab—plus how his team is thinking about pushing the boundaries of “what a pretzel can be,” with plans to bring fresh ideas to #IDDBA2026 in Orlando, June 7-9.

You can check out the Ditsch TikTok that John mentioned @goodbite_de  and check out posts with hundreds of thousands of views!

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Listen on Spotify

Speaker Bios

Heather Prach

Former VP of Education & Industry Relations

John Stefanik

Ditsch USA

VP Sales & Marketing

Kat Shanahan

VP of Marketing & Membership

Kat-Shanahan

Other Podcasts

IDDBA-2025-WISL_Scorpion

Igniting What's in Store Live

Heather Prach, Kat Shanahan

What’s in Store

In this episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA, host Kat Shanahan welcomes back Heather Prach, former VP of Education and Industry Relations at IDDBA, for a conversation that is equal parts reflective, fun, and forward-looking.

Heather shares behind-the-scenes stories from What’s in Store Live, including the now-legendary scorpion tasting that had the trade show floor buzzing, and explains why curiosity, surprise, and word-of-mouth moments matter so much when designing live experiences. From igniting conversation across a show floor to thinking differently about protein trends and consumer engagement, this episode offers insight into how memorable experiences are built on purpose.

As Heather prepares for her next chapter, she also reflects on what made her time at IDDBA meaningful, the power of a team that knows how to “play,” and why the stories people carry home matter just as much as what’s on display.

We think you’ll enjoy this thoughtful and entertaining send-off, full of lessons on leadership, creativity, and connection.

Want to be a guest on the podcast or learn more about IDDBA? Reach out to us at education@iddba.org.

To learn more about IDDBA and becoming a member, head here: https://www.iddba.org/membership/join-iddba/membership

To see What's in Store Live at #IDDBA2026, head here: https://www.iddba.org/register

Listen Now
How Leadership Development Pays Off thumbnail

How Leadership Development Pays Off

Kat Shanahan, Ellen Coatney

Test Kitchen

How Leadership Development Pays Off with Steve Asp (Meat & Seafood Category Manager, Lunds & Byerlys) and Ellen Coatney (Education Coordinator, IDDBA)

In this episode of Fresh Take with IDDBA (Test Kitchen), host Kat Shanahan (VP, Marketing & Membership, IDDBA) sits down with Steve Asp (Meat & Seafood Category Manager, Lunds & Byerly’s) and Ellen Coatney (Education Coordinator, IDDBA) to unpack how leadership development translates into better communication, stronger teams, and real results on the job.

Listen Now
All Podcasts