Taste Radio

When car companies start making tequila and beer, all bets are off. In this episode, the hosts banter about Tesla’s foray into beverage alcohol, what happens when the boss visits a satellite office (tip: don’t call it a “headquarters”), a sneak peek at the new digs for BevNET’s winter events, how entrepreneurs can get inside the minds of investors and why we’re big on packing vacation snacks and drinks. Show notes: 0:43: Happy Freaking Bastille Day. MTN DEW On Tap? Ray-Man And His Bev Chopper. – The episode featured a quintet of hosts, as John joined Jacqui in the San Diego office and Melissa Traverse sat in with Ray and Mike at BevNET HQ. Melissa shared her experience celebrating Bastille Day in Paris, Jacqui noted that the WCB wasn’t as tidy as it could be (blame Josh) and the hosts collectively wondered about Elon Musk’s mindset when it comes to CPG. Later, Ray grilled John about his workcation, Melissa teased upcoming and funding-focused episodes of Community Call and discussed the value that entrepreneurs get from joining BevNET’s Slack channel and everyone shared their favorite sips and bites from the past week. Brands in this episode: Joyburst, Bored Cow, The BAD Tea Co., Mountain Dew, Date Fix, Malu Pour Over Coffee, Social Hour, Dickel, Daily Crunch, Cleveland Kitchen, Pentire Drinks, Zab’s, Athletic Brewing

Here’s a tip: if you’re walking the floor of a spirits-related trade show with Dispact Ventures founder and CEO Andrew Merinoff at your side, be prepared to stop often. He draws a crowd. The 33-year-old investor, who is also the co-founder and CEO of passion fruit liqueur brand Chinola, is a well-known and well-regarded figure in the beverage alcohol industry and has a network that includes early-stage entrepreneurs, veteran operators, celebrity founders and industry captains. Dispact Ventures, which Merinoff launched in 2015, holds stakes in several spirit brands, including Coconut Cartel, The Long Drink and Empirical, along with others in adjacent industries. Merinoff thrives on personal engagement and was in his element at industry convention Bar Convent Brooklyn, held on June 13 and 14. Although swarmed at every turn, Merinoff took time to speak with everyone he met. For him, every conversation is an opportunity to learn and expand his understanding of what’s next in beverages and beyond. In this episode, Merinoff spoke about his family’s lineage in the spirits industry, how he attempts to identify trends before they become relevant, the key factors in his investment strategy, why he covets brand brands with a great story and how he’s navigated his first few months at the helm of Chinola. Show notes: 0:43: Interview: Andrew Merinoff, Founder & CEO, Dispatch Ventures – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif met with Merinoff at the 2023 Bar Convent Brooklyn show where the investor and entrepreneur explained why he’d rather “choke on greatness than nibble on mediocrity,” the influence of his family’s history in beverage alcohol on his career and how he views Dispact Ventures as differentiated from ones with a similar focus. He also explained how individual factors such as category, technology and design play into his investment strategy, deal flow with emerging companies and a greater sense of empathy for leaders of the firm portfolio companies since taking on his current role with Chinola. Brands in this episode: Chinola, The Long Drink, Teremana , Coconut Cartel, Skrewball, Empirical Spirits, Liquid Death

Don’t try to sell consumers on what’s missing from your products; instead emphasize and celebrate the best attributes of your brand. The hosts discuss this simple yet important distinction in this episode, which highlights several brands exhibited at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show, held last month in New York City. This episode also features an interview with Liz Rhoades and Meghan Ireland, the head of whiskey development and chief blender, respectively, for renowned whiskey brand WhistlePig. Rhodes and Ireland spoke about WhistlePig’s foray into single malt whiskey and how the company’s new generation of whiskey makers is striving to break traditional boundaries through experimentation and novel production methods. Show notes: 0:39: New Digs. Hot Dogs Are/Reduce Life. Cheese Cubes & Wine, But Not Exactly. Ringa Starr. – The Newton-based hosts were blinded by the light (of their new studio) and discussed the relative value of a hot dog before they began a second round of sampling products from the Summer Fancy Food Show, including on whole food salty snacks, honey-based energy gels, cookie-crackers and plant-based cheese cubes. They also munched on “South Asian-American fusion” popcorn and sipped on canned wine analogs and moringa-based beverages during which John noted that college tours now highlight cheese-lovers clubs. 28:29: Interview: Liz Rhoades & Meghan Ireland, Distillers, WhistlePig – Rhoades and Ireland spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about their respective backgrounds in the spirits industry and WhistlePig’s expansion from rye whiskey into North American single malt whiskey category with the launch of an ultra-premium 21-year-old expression named The Beholden They discussed how the whisky fits into the company’s “rebel” ethos, the craft of aging and blending and their perspectives on women in the whiskey industry. Brands in this episode: Root Foods, You Again, Michele’s Granola, Oat Haus, Rind Snacks, Carolyn’s Krisps, Armored Fresh, Confusion Snacks, Dave’s Killer Bread, Proxies, Sutter Home, Franzia, Ringa, PopChips, Smashmallow, Spudsy, WhistlePig

This special edition of the podcast features actionable insights and advice from interviews with six founders, creators and leaders who joined us on the show during the first half of 2023. Our guests include Tara Bosch, the founder of pioneering better-for-you candy brand SmartSweets; Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, the co-founders of fast-growing prebiotic soda brand Poppi;  Jake Bullock, the co-founder & CEO of cannabis-infused beverage company Cann; Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali, the co-founders of better-for-you meat snack brand Chomps;  Farrah & Yassin Sibai, the co-founders of Mediterranean-inspired frozen food brand Afia; and culinary icon Padma Lakshmi, an investor in lassi brand Dah!   Show notes: 0:29: Interview: Tara Bosch, Founder, SmartSweets - Let’s kick things off with Tara Bosch, the founder of pioneering better-for-you candy brand SmartSweets. In this clip, pulled from an episode published on January 17, Tara spoke about why the brand’s early growth strategy was built around “patient urgency,” why the company prioritized a lean business model and highly specific annual objectives and the value of first mover advantage. 10:15: Interview: Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, Co-Founders, Poppi - Next up we have Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, the co-founders of fast-growing prebiotic soda brand Poppi. In a clip pulled from an episode featured on May 30, the Ellsworths spoke about the professionalization of Poppi’s organizational structure, the decision to hire a CEO from outside the company, the drivers of the brand’s remarkable trial conversion and repeat purchase rates and their perspective on how entrepreneurs can make the greatest positive impact via their brands.  19:45: Interview: Jake Bullock, Co-Founder & CEO, Cann - We keep it going with Jake Bullock, the co-founder & CEO of cannabis-infused beverage company Cann. In this clip, from our episode published on April 25, Jake discussed how Cann sits at the intersection of canna- and sober-curious, why early-stage fundraising is about “finding the one,” and how Cann’s commitment to innovative advertising and video-based content has paid off. 31:05: Interview: Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali, Co-Founders, Chomps - Next we have Pete Maldonado and Rashid Ali, the co-founders of better-for-you meat snack brand Chomps. In the following clip, pulled from an episode published on March 21, the entrepreneurs shared key drivers for the brand’s remarkable growth over the past five years, how hiring the right people has given the company a leg up in forecasting supply and demand and how data informs their innovation strategy. 37:58: Interview: Farrah & Yassin Sibai, Co-Founders, Afia - We continue with Farrah & Yassin Sibai, the co-founders of Mediterranean-inspired frozen food brand Afia. In this clip, pulled from an episode aired on June 6, the Sibais explained why they have long relied on self-manufacturing and the effectiveness of influencers, Instacart ads and instant redeemable coupons on driving trial and sales. 46:44: Interview: Padma Lakshmi, Investor, Dah! - Finally, we hear from culinary icon Padma Lakshmi, who is an investor in lassi brand Dah! In the following clip, pulled from an episode published on March 28, Padma spoke about her approach to building interest and awareness for lassi, how the beverage aligns with her advocacy for ethnic cuisine and her criteria for investing in consumer brands. Brands in this episode: SmartSweets, Poppi, Cann, Chomps, Afia, Dah!

From sweet and savory salsa matcha and date-based energy snacks to craft cocktail tea bags and plant-based whale sperm tortilla chips (yes, we’re serious), the hosts shared their thoughts on the best and most notable products exhibited at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show, which was held in New York CIty from June 25-27.  This episode also features an interview with Dave Colina, the founder and CEO of O2 Hydration, who discussed the sport drink brand’s repositioning and package revamp following the collapse of a major fundraising round. Show notes: 0:44: Melissa’s Name Rang Out. Crispy Beef? Yay! Let’s Do A Shot. Mike Got Scolded… Again. – BevNET’s director of community Melissa Traverse offered her thoughts on the Summer Fancy Food Show before sharing a rundown of recent and upcoming episodes of Community Call after which the hosts discussed takeaways from the annual trade show, including the emergence of salsa matcha, global flavors and cuisines continuing to permeate snack and frozen food categories and the flavor quality that differentiates some non-alcoholic cocktails from others. After Jacqui recalled a recent visit to San Francisco, Ray shared highlights (including the oddest product at the show) from a quick meeting with Vegan Rob’s founder Rob Eherlich and Mike blamed John for getting a scolding while visiting the Italian pavilion. 35:28: Interview: Dave Colina, Founder & CEO, O2 Hydration – Colina spoke with Ray about how he navigated the shock and resulting challenges caused by a failed funding round, his decision to keep operating the business versus shutting it down, the research that went into O2’s rebrand and how he weighed data and gut instinct when making a final determination about the new branding and design. Brands in this episode: LoveLife, Partake Foods, C4, Rind Snacks, Lesser Evil, Fresh Fizz, Lentiful, Sunday Supper, Amazing Graze, Zwita, Melati, Yay’s, Wilde Snacks, Tia Lupita, Somos Foods, Capitana, Annie’s Ginger Elixir, For Bitter For Worse, Vegan Rob’s, Pirate’s Booty, Date Fix, Sayso, Kola Goodies, BTR Nation, Colicchio Collection, Magnolia Bakery, O2 Hydration, Poppi, BodyArmor, Gatorade

Dillion Ceglio’s journey as a food entrepreneur started with a simple question: why hasn’t anyone created a healthier version of Uncrustables? Finding an answer, however, wasn’t nearly as easy. Ceglio is the co-founder and CEO of Los Angeles-based Chubby Snacks, which markets nut and seed butter and jelly sandwiches that the company describes as “cloud-shaped.” The individually wrapped sandwiches, which are typically sold frozen, are made with peanut, sunflower or almond butter and strawberry or grape jam, with each sandwich containing 8-9 grams of protein, 6-7 grams of fiber and only 2 grams of sugar, depending on variety. Launched as a direct-to-consumer brand in 2020, Chubby Snacks is distributed at several natural and regional retail chains, including Whole Foods, Central Market, Jimbo’s and Gelson’s and recently entered c-store chain Kum and Go. The company has raised approximately $5 million over the past two-and-a-half years from an investor pool that includes The Angel Group founder Adam Spriggs, actor Patrick Schwarzenegger and Villam Ventures, the family office of RXBar’s cofounder Jared Smith. In this episode, Ceglio spoke about his initial vision for Chubby Snacks, the duality of building a brand that is inextricably aligned with its primary competitor, why he strives to be an expert in everything related to the production and sale of Chubby Snacks, and why he believes that entrepreneurship shouldn’t necessarily be viewed as a fun job. Show notes: 0:48: Interview: Dillon Ceglio, Co-Founder & CEO, Chubby Snacks – Ceglio met with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif in New York City where he spoke about the origins of Chubby Snacks and the meaning behind its name, how the company attempts to communicate the better-for-you attributes of the products and his perspective on the brand’s inherent association with Uncrustables. He also shared learnings from his initial foray into self-manufacturing and the evolution of the company’s production strategy, how his active presence and engagement on Linkedin has benefited Chubby Snacks, and how it leveraged strong direct-to-consumer sales to build its presence at retail chains. Later, he discussed Chubby Snacks’ decision to enter the convenience store category, how he overcame two significant challenges that each had the potential to ruin the company and why fun isn’t top of mind when he’s working. Brands in this episode: Chubby Snacks, Uncrustables, TBH

This week on the podcast, the hosts discussed their smash-and-grab introduction to AriZona’s new line of hard teas, a Ted Lasso sighting at BevNET Live and a category-defining victory for non-alcoholic cocktail brands.  This episode also features an interview with Luke Holden, the founder and CEO of Luke’s Lobster, a vertically integrated and family-owned seafood company based in Saco, Maine. Luke’s Lobster operates a chain of fast-casual restaurants, a frozen meal line made with Maine-sourced lobster and a wholesale business that is the top selling frozen lobster brand in the U.S.  Show notes: 0:37: Rushmore, Or The Darjeeling Limited? You Had Us At Sledgehammer. See You At SFFS. – The episode opens with a chat about Wes Anderson movies, before Ray shared his dismay about an inaccurate profile and wayward comparison. Mike spoke about his brief, but memorable, stint as an Avenger, the hosts collectively congratulated NA cocktail brand Parch on winning New Beverage Showdown 25 and then highlighted several new products, including from BFY snack brand Lesser Evil and Moroccan food company Mina. 28:03: Interview: Luke Holden, Founder/CEO, Luke’s Lobster – Holden spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about Luke’s Lobster’s collaboration with Sweetgreen, the company’s origins and focus on sustainable sourcing and the traceability of its seafood, how it communicates quality to consumers and its efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the lobster industry. Brands in this episode: AriZona Beverages, Parch, Ghia, De Soi, Mina, LesserEvil, Rind, Once Upon A Coconut, Beachball, A Dozen Cousins, Fillo’s, Omsom, Somos, Luke’s Lobster

Sixteen years ago, Sweetgreen set out to redefine how consumers perceive fast food by offering crave-worthy meals made with clean and traceable ingredients and sold at an affordable price. Co-founder Nicolas Jammet has long been at the forefront of Sweetgreen’s menu strategy, and in his role as chief concept officer, he is tasked with maintaining the company’s high standards for quality and consistency in every bowl, snack and beverage sold in its restaurants.  With nearly 160 locations across the U.S. and plans for 1,000 total by 2030, his job is becoming increasingly complex. And, yet, his goal is to continuously improve customer experience by way of new flavors, ingredients and systems that live up to the standard of Sweetgreen’s original mission and vision. In this episode, Jammet spoke about the process by which Sweetgreen curates its offerings and designs new products, how he evaluates CPG brands before adding them to the menu, how the company utilizes technology to enhance productivity without compromising culture and shared lessons for new and emerging entrepreneurs about how to build a sustainable business.   Show notes: 0:43: Interview: Nicolas Jammet, Co-Founder, Sweetgreen – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif met with Jammet at Sweetgreen’s Back Bay location in Boston where the entrepreneur spoke about a new collaboration with premium seafood brand Luke’s Lobster and how the patrons in the Hub compare to those in other cities. He also explained how Sweetgreen defines “healthy” and “affordable,” an average day in his role as chief concept officer, innovation surprises and missteps, the company’s partnership with plant-based meat brand Meati and his perspective on introducing new branded beverages and snacks to the menu. Later, he talked about the integration of automated technology to Sweetgreen restaurants, limited-time partnerships with well-known and respected chefs and his mentorship of early-stage entrepreneurs, including Melanie Masarin of Ghia and Becca Millstein of Fishwife. Brands in this episode: Meati, Hu Chocolate, Olipop, Spindrift, Proud Source, Health-Ade, Rowdy Mermaid, Mother Kombucha, Ghia, Fishwife

On location at BevNET Live Summer 2023 in New York City, the hosts reflected on an exciting first day of the event, along with that of bar industry trade show Bar Convent Brooklyn, held on June 13 and 14. They also discussed an evening of cocktails with filmmaker and spirits entrepreneur Steven Soderbergh and a visit to Pop Up Grocer’s permanent location in Greenwich Village. Show notes: 0:48: Ready For Our Closeup. The Password Is… Mushrooms And Llamas. Celery Seafood. – Jacqui spoke about BevNET Live’s Women In Beverage breakfast, John and Ray shared their respective takes on Bar Convent Brooklyn and highlights from a memorable evening at world renowned bar Death & Co. Ray recounted the remarkable life story of an RTD cocktail entrepreneur before Jacqui shared plant-based tinned seafood and ultra-premium toaster treats with the group. Brands in this episode: Gorgie, Lyre’s, Wilderton, Ritual Zero-Proof, Parch, Chinola, Singani63, Smootch, Velvet Llama, Pop-Tarts, Flings, Seed To Surf, Wynk

In just two-and-a-half years, New York City bar Double Chicken Please has achieved iconic status. Located in Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Double Chicken Please is a dual-concept bar whereby the front room is represented as a fast-casual cafe serving chicken sandwiches and small bites along with craft cocktails on tap. The back room is a luxurious, yet welcoming lounge where guests experience the bar’s innovative menu which is designed such that you “drink your food and eat your drink.” That recipe has proved an undisputed hit: Double Chicken Please was named the best bar in North America and the sixth best in the world in 2022 by The 50 Best, an esteemed awards program that celebrates the best of global gastronomy and the international drinks scene. With the bar recently closed for renovations, Double Chicken Please headed north to Boston to launch a pop-up on May 10  and 11 featuring the bar’s award winning cocktails including the Red Eye Gravy, a sweet and savory libation made with Teeling Irish Whiskey, coffee butter, corn, walnut, wild mushroom and microwaved coppa; as well as the Japanese Cold Noodle, crafted with Bacardi Superior rum, pineapple, cucumber, coconut, lime and sesame oil. We sat down with co-founder GN Chan at the Boston pop-up where he spoke about the inspiration for Double Chicken Please, his view of the bar as a design and performance studio, his belief that “nothing tastes better than nostalgia” and the company’s strategic partnership with spirits giant Bacardi. Show notes: 0:48: Interview: GN Chan, Co-Founder, Double Chicken Please – Chan spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about why he chose Boston bar Birds of Paradise to host his popup, how he learned his craft in an attic, the reason he doesn’t drink alcohol and why he wishes he could experience inebriation. He also explained why he wants the bar’s patrons to “remember something,” a cocktail strategy in which drinks are designed to be simple, yet complex and affordable. Later, he spoke about the regionality of non-alcoholic cocktail and spirit trends, the influence of global flavors and other trends in cocktail culture and whether he feels any pressure from being viewed as a thought leader and influencer. Brands in this episode: Teeling Irish Whiskey, Bacardi