Since its inception in 1980,
Adventure in
Food Trading (known then as Specialty World Foods) has been
the premier purveyor of wild game, natural meat, gourmet cheese and culinary specialties to the Northeast's finest chefs.
In 2007, the company was acquired by Eric Guenther, a long-time employee and culinary aficionado.
Since then, Adventure in Food Trading has developed a reputation for its commitment to the culinary arts.
Adventure in Food Trading invites you to “Expand Your World”, and brings chefs and food lovers together to help educate
and improve the food industry. Adventure in Food Trading has received numerous accolades, including the
Capital District/Central New York American Culinary Federation's 2010 Vendor of the Year award,
as well as the 2009 Excellence in Small Business Award presented by the New York Business Development Corporation.
Staff:
Eric Guenther, Owner and CEO
Eric has spent nearly his entire career in the foodservice distribution business.
Starting at the age of 14, while on summer break, Eric pulled orders and packed trucks for a local produce company.
After high school, Eric began working for a gourmet distributor in the Albany area, where he developed a passion
for the culinary arts. For the next 8 ½ years, Eric worked full-time while taking courses at Siena College,
where he earned his Bachelor’s in Marketing and Management in 2006. In the spring of 2007, he and his sister
acquired Adventure in Food Trading. Eric continues to expand the company, priding himself on hard work, dedication,
and strong relationships with clients and suppliers alike. Eric was also a recipient of the Capital District Business
Reviews class of 2010 “40 Under Forty†award in recognition and acknowledgement of his leadership and success as a small business owner.
Gretchen Guenther, Owner and CFO
1999 Graduate from the College of St. Rose with a Masters in Accounting.
Presently, Gretchen is the Assistant Professor of Accounting and the Masters of Science in Accounting Coordinator .
Since August 2010, she has been attending Albany Law School pursuing her Jurist Doctorate.
Gretchen oversees all financial operations for Adventure in Food Trading
Maria Blanchard, Office Manager / Marketing Director
A graduate of Empire State College, Maria has been working in the food distribution business for the past 20 years.
Her organizational skills and knowledge about the industry along with her belief and love for natural foods has made
her an integral part of Adventure in Food. Maria currently manages all office activities as well as runs the accounting office.
Todd Woodruff, General Manager
Todd, a long time Saratoga area resident, attended Schenectady County Community College where he graduated with
a degree in Culinary Arts and Hotel & Restaurant Management. A lover of food, he spent seven years in the kitchens
of local restaurants, followed by two years in retail markets. He has been with Adventure in Food Trading since its re-inception in 2007.
Todd utilizes his management skills and experience to head the AIF team, focusing on leadership and quality control.
Chef Kurt Schmidt, Sales Manager
Kurt was raised in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains where he developed a deep respect for the outdoors, its activities
and its bounties. Kurt attended Johnson & Wales University, obtaining an Associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a Bachelor's
degree in Hotel Restaurant Management. Since then, he has enjoyed extensive experience as an executive chef in well-known
restaurants and country clubs including the New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad at the Edgewater Mansion in Cooperstown, NY.
As Sales Manager, he is more than willing to share his experience and knowledge in preparing exotic game and other avant-garde products with our customers.
