Meet Anthony Zapata | Marketer & Food Enthusiast

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anthony Zapata and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anthony, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
Honesty and hard-working are two of the most important principles and values that one can possess. They are essential for personal and professional growth, as well as for building strong relationships with others.

Firstly, honesty is the foundation of all relationships. Whether it is a personal or professional relationship, trust is a crucial element for its success. Honesty is necessary for building trust, and without it, a relationship is likely to fail. Being truthful and transparent in all aspects of life not only builds trust but also promotes open communication and better understanding between individuals. Honesty also enables one to take responsibility for their actions and accept accountability for their mistakes.

Similarly, working hard is essential for personal growth and success. Hard work is the key to achieving goals and making progress in life. Without it, success becomes difficult to attain. Working hard requires dedication, commitment, and persistence, and it teaches important life lessons such as discipline and perseverance. Through hard work, individuals can develop the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their chosen field or area of interest.

In my opinion, honesty and hard work go hand in hand. One cannot achieve success through dishonest means. Dishonesty may bring temporary gains, but in the long run, it will result in a loss of trust and respect. On the other hand, hard work done with honesty and integrity brings lasting success and builds a positive reputation. When one works hard with honesty, they demonstrate their commitment to achieving their goals through ethical means.

All in all, honesty and working hard are two essential principles that are crucial for personal and professional growth. Honesty promotes trust and transparency in relationships, while hard work is necessary for achieving success and realizing one’s potential. The combination of these two principles creates a strong foundation for a fulfilling and meaningful life. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize honesty and hard work in all aspects of life to achieve success and make a positive impact on others.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I like to say that my career started more from curiosity than the certainty of what I wanted to do in life. After graduating from Florida State University in 2017 with a marketing degree, I found myself lost and unsure of what my next step in life should be. It was difficult constantly seeing my friends post on their LinkedIn pages announcing their new roles in the professional world, while still struggling to make my announcement a reality.

It was then that I decided to take some time to travel and see the world. I had the opportunity to travel to many amazing cities with some of the money I had saved up throughout college. From my travels, there was one thing in particular that stood out to me. I was struck by how food brought people from all walks of life together. Regardless of culture and race, humans always found a way to share happiness at the dinner table. I guess you can say I had a lightbulb moment where I knew I wanted my career to revolve around food but the question now was, “Where do I start?”.

When I returned back home, I instantly took a job at SAGE Dining, where I honed my cooking skills and learned the ins and outs of the kitchen as a sous chef (my mother wasn’t too happy to hear I was working in the kitchen after spending 4 years of my life pursuing a marketing degree). Whether I was dicing onions or marinating meats, I was truly happy cooking for others. However, I wanted more. I wanted to apply my marketing background with my newfound passion for food.

After many hours spent on LinkedIn looking for roles in the food & beverage industry, I came across an unpaid internship with a company called Universal Pure. They offered food & beverage brands an interesting technology called High Pressure Processing, also known as HPP technology.

HPP is a non-thermal processing technology for foods and beverages that inactivates pathogens and eliminates the need for preservatives, maintaining the nutrients and taste of food products, and making them safer and healthier. In other words, it’s a gentle form of pasteurization that uses cold water and pressure, instead of heat, which allows companies to extend the shelf-life of their products without altering any nutritional properties and maintaining a clean label.

I instantly became fascinated with the technology because I knew this is exactly what consumers are looking for. It not only allowed the consumer to enjoy safe and healthier foods without any nasty preservatives, but it also enabled the food manufacturer to extend the shelf-life of the product without sacrificing quality. It’s a win-win for both the food brand and the consumer.

During my internship, I fell in love with the world of marketing and quickly realized that it was the perfect way for me to combine my passion for food with my marketing background.

In 2020, I went from working with Universal Pure, the company that offered HPP technology as a service, to joining the Hiperbaric, the HPP equipment manufacturer. In the last three years, I’ve played a crucial role in driving business growth and implementing a global marketing infrastructure. I work closely with food and beverage manufacturers to educate them on the benefits of HPP technology

When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling and exploring new cultures, and trying new foods. I’m a foodie at heart, passionate about everything that goes into providing sustainable, healthy nutrition for the future.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As a “self-proclaimed foodie”, I am definitely revolving the itinerary around food.

Miami has so many great restaurants so it’s hard to decide, but here’s what I’d propose:

– Morning run at the Key Biscayne bridge or boxing class at BOXR
– Breakfast at Mr. Baguette, El Bagel, or Caracas Bakery
– Walk through the Lincoln Road Farmers’ Market
– Happy hour at Uchi in Wynwood
– Catch the sunset at Lido Bayside Grill
– Dinner at Mandolin or Jaguar Sun
– End the night at Lagniappe with live jazz music

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shootout to the one person that has always been my rock: my mother, Gudiela Alvarez.

Dear Mom,

As I sit down to write this letter, I am overwhelmed with gratitude and a deep sense of appreciation for all that you have done for me. Throughout my life, you have been my rock, my guide, and my source of inspiration. I owe all of my success to you, and I wanted to take a moment to recognize and thank you for everything you have done.

From the very beginning, you have been my biggest cheerleader. You have always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. You have pushed me to be my best, to strive for excellence, and to never give up. Your unwavering support has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams and take on challenges that I never thought I could achieve.

But your influence on my life goes far beyond your words of encouragement. You have taught me the value of hard work, determination, and resilience. You have shown me the importance of kindness, empathy, and compassion. You have instilled in me a sense of responsibility and accountability, and you have always been there to hold me accountable when I fall short.

All of my successes, big and small, are a direct result of your love, guidance, and support. I would not be where I am today without you, and I am deeply grateful for all that you have done for me.

Thank you, Mom, for everything. I love you more than words can express, and I will always be grateful for the amazing mother that you are.

With love and appreciation,

Anthony Zapata

Instagram: @anthonyjzapata

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-zapata/

Image Credits
Hiperbaric