CEO Of Company In California Aims To Give Tofu A New Image

Known for his work reinvigorating American wines and gourmet chocolate, John Scharffenberger is working on adding tofu to his list of accomplishments. Scharffenberger is presently the CEO of Hodo Soy Beanery, founded by Minh Tsai with help from his family. Tofu produced by Hodo is gaining recognition among chefs and consumers for the flavor and the fact that the company uses preservative free organic soybeans. It’s very different from the bland blocks many Americans think of when picturing tofu. Currently limited by the life span of the product, the company plans to expand into Portland, Seattle, Vancouver and Los Angeles by spring. Scharffenberger says his goal is not to replace hamburgers but to market the tofu as a healthy, tasty, and easy addition to items such as salads.