Irene Kristal, RDN

Irene Kristal is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist with over 25 years of experience specializing in long-term care and post-acute nutrition. As the founder of Crystal Clear Nutrition, Irene has built a strong reputation for mentoring dietitians, guiding interdisciplinary teams, and ensuring regulatory compliance across California facilities. Her expertise includes survey readiness, F-tag regulations, MDS accuracy, and weight monitoring protocols, but her true passion lies in bridging the gap between clinical nutrition and the dining experience. Irene is a strong advocate for evidence-based practice and has led numerous trainings on nutrition, hydration, and patient-centered care. Most recently, Irene has partnered with leading culinary experts to bring IDDSI (International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative) standards into nursing homes, combining clinical precision with culinary excellence. Her goal is to make texture-modified diets both safe and enjoyable, empowering teams to deliver the highest standard of care.

Davis Cruz is a Culinary Institute of America graduate, plant-based chef, and experienced leader in food service and culinary operations, with roles as Executive Chef and Director of Food Service. Alongside his son, Brandon Cruz, he forms the father-son team behind Cruz Culinary—formerly known as Tasty Puree—where they specialize in creating IDDSI-compliant meals that are both nutritious and visually appealing. Together, they provide engaging “how-to” videos on YouTube and TikTok, teaching viewers how to make texture-modified meals from the comfort of their own homes. Passionate about education and culinary innovation, Davis and Brandon leverage their expertise in menu development, kitchen management, and IDDSI implementation to inspire, teach, and make a meaningful impact in the field of specialized nutrition.