Meet Freddy Krems | Co-Founder and Director of Operations at Recreate Foods Inc

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

Hi Freddy, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The catalyst for starting my own business was rooted in my personal journey toward a plant-based diet. I quickly realized that many of the available products contained soy and other ingredients that can cause intolerance or allergic reactions. This was a significant barrier for me, and I saw this as a broader gap in the market. I recognized the need for soy-free plant-based meat, not only for those with dietary restrictions like me, but also for those who wish to transition to a plant-based diet without compromising their health or taste preferences. So, I embarked on a mission to develop a product that could serve as a compelling alternative for meat-eaters, without the worry of consuming soy.

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.

My journey in the professional world has been filled with unexpected turns and exciting opportunities, all guided by my desire to spread positivity. I’ve held tightly to values of loyalty, respect, and humility. My philosophy has always been that when you take care of people and show kindness, that goodwill often comes back to you. While there can be pitfalls to being overly loyal, I see it as an integral part of who I am in my personal and professional life.

I was only 13 when I first started working as a dishwasher, and that job was a launching pad for my career. I funneled my earnings into a budding passion – DJing. From those early days, my fondness for the hospitality industry grew. I moved from the dishwasher station to the cashier’s desk, then to the cooking line, and finally to the role of main cook at a Chicago-style restaurant. This hands-on experience taught me the essence of hard work and the joy of delivering an excellent culinary experience.

Parallel to my time in the restaurant industry, my DJing career gained momentum. I DJed during lunch hours at my high school, managing the equipment setup and breakdown during fourth and fifth periods on Fridays. I also had the chance to DJ at various house parties. Despite not being part of the in-crowd, I believed in the importance of building relationships with everyone.

This belief held firm as I took my DJing skills into the nightclub scene, a pulsating, dynamic world I fell in love with. I had the privilege of learning from DJs I admired, like DJ Mikee Mike, DJ Robby Rob, DJ Fashion, DJ M2, and DJ John Stetler. These learning experiences eventually led to a residency at a 2000-person night club called The Buzz in Scottsdale. After four years there, I moved to Suede in Old Town Scottsdale.

While DJing offered an exhilarating career, it also came with its challenges. It’s a competitive world, and maintaining professional neutrality while building connections and not burning bridges became an important balancing act. I learned the importance of being reliable, consistent, professional, and talented, and ensuring the staff were as satisfied as the customers. These experiences shaped my DJ career, which began at age 15 and continues to this day.

Throughout my DJing career, I had the chance to work at renowned venues under the management of Evening Entertainment Group, including Suede, Axis Radius, Myst, Bottle Blonde, Casa Amigos, and Hi-Fi. I presently work with Riot Hospitality at venues Riot House, Cake, El Hefe, and Whiskey Row. Other noteworthy clubs include W Scottsdale, Maya, Smashboxx, Dollhouse, Pussycat Lounge, and Cream. Each of these venues offered unique experiences that shaped my DJ career.

During my DJing years, I built relationships that would later play key roles in my entrepreneurial journey. I connected with Justin Gurian, one of the co-founders of Recreate Foods, and Bob Agahi, an investor in some of the nightclubs where I DJed, who became one of the first to invest in Recreate Foods.

As I grew older, I knew DJing wasn’t a forever gig. My thoughts shifted towards making a broader impact. Identifying a gap in the market for a high-quality, soy-free, clean ingredient plant-based protein, I co-founded Recreate Foods. This venture was filled with obstacles, but with some help, we created a product that customers love. The clean, non-GMO ingredients, and the absence of soy make it a hit among health-conscious consumers.

In this new industry, I’ve learned the value of humility, a willingness to learn, and respect for everyone involved. It’s a small world, and a little kindness can go a long way in building relationships and garnering support. I believe that being authentic, showing respect, and ensuring others believe in your vision are the keys to success in this industry.

Throughout it all, my primary aim is to make a positive impact, keep people happy, and continually evolve. From a 13-year-old dishwasher to a nightclub DJ, to co-founding a plant-based food company, it’s been an incredible ride. At every step, I’ve endeavored to please, to give, and to bring joy to others. It’s a journey marked by an innate drive to foster happiness, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was in town, we’d definitely start with the places I know best, the bars and clubs in Old Town Scottsdale where I DJ, including Riot House, Cake, El Hefe, and Whiskey Row.

We wouldn’t miss the chance to try out the dishes at places serving up Recreate products, like UNiQ Burger and Green in Tempe.

I’d also want to show off more than just the city scene. We’d explore downtown Phoenix and the classy Biltmore area. But then, we’d go beyond the city limits. We’d venture out to Flagstaff and Sedona for some nature and hiking. And my dog, Sage, she would come too. She loves hiking and being outdoors. We’d explore trails near Cathedral Rock in Sedona and take a drive down the forest roads in Flagstaff. That’s a trip to Arizona they’d never forget.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There have been a bunch of people who’ve helped me on this wild ride of personal and professional life. It’s a no-brainer that my parents, Sheri and Mark, have been the bedrock of support. They saw me through college at ASU and were my biggest fans when I kicked off my DJ career at 13. The surprise on their faces was really something else when I told them about my plans to start a plant-based food company – totally out of left field. But they believed in me, no questions asked.

I’ve always been about making a difference and impacting people in a positive way. Bob Agahi has been a guiding light since the get-go of Recreate Foods. He put his faith, and his funds, into the vision. The same goes for Brandon Maxwell, the President, and CEO at M Culinary. His mentorship has been a game-changer in my life, and the M Culinary crew has been fantastic and instrumental in the Recreate Foods journey. A person that has really helped me understand what it takes to run a start-up is Flip Isard who is the CEO and Founder of Frite Street. He has been an exceptional mentor and support to me.

Craig Weiss, the founder of Flagstaff Ventures, had a big hand in pushing Recreate Foods to new heights. His investment of time and money, words of wisdom, and mentorship have been priceless. It’s been a collective effort, and I’m grateful for each one of them. We just brought on a new President at Recreate Foods, Mike Salem who was head of culinary innovation for Burger King. I am honored to have him on our team and part of our company. He has done so much for the food service space and I have already learned so much from him.

Website: Recreatefoods.com

Instagram: Recreatefoods and djcircle

Linkedin: Freddy Krems

Image Credits
Images of me DJing in nightclubs belong to watermarked venue in corner of photo. Photos of me posing was taken by Makenzie Gossage. Photo of my truck and dog Sage was a photo I took. I don’t see any issue using the photos of me DJing in the venues. If we need to get approval to use them I can.