The Dynamic Duo – P&K’s Legacy
Our founders
David R. Peryam (1915 – 1992) and Beverley J. Kroll (1929 – 2021) had a passion to measure and understand consumer preferences and the reasons behind them. Both were prolific contributors to the field of sensory science. David, known as the Father of Sensory Evaluation, and Beverley, an astute businesswoman, joined forces and together founded P&K Research Corporation.
The pair met at the Quartermaster Food and Container Institute (QMFCI) in Chicago. At the time, the Institute was working to develop quality specifications for U.S. Army rations. Beverley was assisting the operations of the Food Acceptance Testing Laboratories. David, a psychologist, was heading the Food Acceptance Research Branch. His work was vital in expanding their external research program so that distinguished psychologists at universities across the U.S. began working together on food acceptance methodologies.
Shaping the field of sensory science
Both David and Beverley led and contributed to efforts that are critical to how the field of sensory science operates to this day.
Designing a kid-friendly hedonic scale
As companies marketed more products toward children, their influence on purchase decisions increased, as did the need for product testing with children. In 1990, Beverley realized that the current science did not meet the needs of this specialty population. After reviewing child-oriented word scales designed by others, the Peryam & Kroll Research Corp (now P&K Research) developed a new scale. They named it the P&K scale.
Creating the traditional hedonic scale
The development of the 9-point hedonic scale in the 1950s under David’s leadership at QMFCI was one of the greatest accomplishments of the Food Acceptance Branch. The group experimented with different scale lengths, but the 9-point scale had the highest repeatability.
The growth of P&K Research
Beverley founded Food Facts in 1957 in response to a growing need for consumer research in the consumer packaged goods industry. David joined Beverley in 1964, bringing strong technical knowledge that perfectly complemented Beverley’s practical application know-how. The resulting company was the P&K Research Corporation.
Their success took off in the 1970s when they worked with a major cookie manufacturer in Chicago to establish a discrimination panel. As their success grew beyond Illinois in the 1980s, they established a second facility in California. This facility was personally designed by Beverley. By the 1990s, a third P&K Research location opened in Texas. In 2004, P&K Research opened its fourth location in New York.
A lasting legacy
David R. Peryam and Beverley J. Kroll were pioneers in the field. Thanks to their contributions, P&K Research has become a leader in sensory and consumer testing. As a research partner to the world’s leading CPG companies, P&K continues to grow its recognition and success.
Awards honoring David Peryam and Beverley Kroll
In 1995, Beverley Kroll and the ASTM Committee E18 established the David R. Peryam Award to recognize outstanding professionals in the applied sensory science field. Beverley was also a recipient of this award.
In honor of Beverley Kroll, the Society of Sensory Professionals bestows the award for Outstanding Presentation that Develops or Expands a Method to a student at its biyearly conference.