Taste Radio

The hosts assessed the fallout from a highly publicized claim of “copycat” branding (and the accuser’s subsequent apology), recapped a raucous pitch slam and shared a firsthand account of Omson’s rhapsodic rave. They also spoke about a somewhat controversial food and sampled plenty of tasty, trendy products in the studio. Show notes: 0:43: Pizza Party. $200 For Free (Not Exactly). Storm The Stage! That… Hat. Human Petri Dish. – John made a pre-lunch for Mike and Ray and the hosts collectively chatted about a Linkedin diatribe penned by the founder of olive oil brand Graza and the industry’s subsequent reaction, and why those who already have their tickets to BevNET Live should make dinner plans. Ray and Jacqui reflected on an outstanding event hosted by non-profit CPG organization Naturally San Diego, Mike talked about a new line noodles and how his hat almost broke the Internet (not really, but it was close), before the hosts all began biting into and imbibing upon new and interesting products, including what appeared to be blue slime, very spicy crunchy snacks, Delta-9 seltzers, better-for-you brownies and an innovative non-alcoholic “mezcal.” Brands in this episode: Brightland, Graza, Mike’s Hot Honey, Wynn’s Kitchen, Cien Chiles, Rationale Brewing, I Amaranth, Chasin’ Dreams, Omsom, Samadhi Moss, BLK & Bold, Wize Tea, Little Saints, Chuza, Cheech and Chong’s, Louie Louie, Nature’s Bakery, Little Debbie, Tootsie Rolls

The story of how Eddie Simeon and his two best friends turned a hipster hobby into a multi-million dollar business is, dare we say, hella good. Simeon, along with Jomaree Pinkard and Tobin Ludwig are the founders of Hella Cocktail Co., a brand of premium crafted products designed to democratize and elevate cocktail culture. Launched in 2011, Hella Cocktail Co. markets botanically-inspired bitters and mixers along with ready-to-drink sparkling apéritifs admired for their flavor and versatility. The products are currently sold in over 20,000 stores, bars, hotels, and restaurants. Over the past 12 years, the co-founders have pursued a thoughtful, and occasionally unorthodox, growth strategy that has prioritized strong unit economics and profitability. Eddie describes the approach as one in which the company has been “willing to be more patient to be less wrong.” Last year, Uncle Nearest Ventures – the investment arm of Uncle Nearest Whiskey focused on funding minority-founded, owned and led spirit companies – acquired a $5 million stake in Hella Cocktail Co. In a press release, Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver praised Simeon, Pinkard and Ludwig, who are of Mexican, African American and Jewish descent, respectively, for “bootstrapp[ing] this brand for a decade, never compromising on quality or messaging.”   In this episode, Simeon chronicles the company’s development, from the early days of blending bitters in his Brooklyn apartment to why the brand’s first retailer was a furniture store to the synergistic relationship with Uncle Nearest and how Hella’s three-founder team has been its backbone through it all. Show notes: 0:44: Interview: Eddie Simeon, Co-Founder, Hella Cocktail Co. – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif met with Simeon at Expo West 2023, where the entrepreneur spoke about how he met co-founders Tobin Ludwig and Jomaree Pinkard and how their collective passion for DIY projects and video production and an “entrepreneurial seizure” spawned Hella Cocktail Co. He also explained how they leaned on each other's skill sets to launch the brand, why they named the company “Hella,” the evolution of its package design and why they have long embraced the idea of “you don’t want to be on a long road to a small house.” Later, he explained why Hella was a cash flow business for its first seven years, how embracing self-learning helped the company land business deals with Delta Airlines and TGIF, insights from managing a diverse channel strategy, why Uncle Nearest CEO Fawn Weaver loved investing in a brand with three founders and why he’s bullish on using fractional resources to fill staffing needs. Brands in this episode: Hella Cocktail Co.

Setting the trajectory of your company can often begin with a single pitch. And with just six weeks until BevNET Live Summer 2023 in New York City, the hosts highlighted companies that have built successful and even iconic brands after participating in past editions of the event’s New Beverage Showdown competition. They also discussed new and innovative brands discovered at a local meetup event, and why you might be surprised about John Craven’s report from a recent visit to Scotland. This episode also features an interview with David Garci-Aguirre, who is the vice president of operations and master miller for Corto Olive, a super-premium brand of extra virgin oil that emphasizes freshness from harvest to plate. Admired by chefs for its commitment to high-quality standards, Corto is part of a new generation of olive oil companies that are attempting to recast the ingredient from an overlooked kitchen staple to one revered for its utility in creating delicious and healthy meals.   Show notes: 0:39: VIPs In NYC. Is “Scotch Lag” A Real Thing? Bitter Is Better. And, Our Minds Are Blown.  – The show kicks off with a chat about a special benefit for Taste Radio VIPs that will be attending BevNET Live in June, before discussing a recent episode of Community Call that should answer a few questions about a certain beverage competition and John’s relative shock at lack of scotch flowing faucets in the U.K. They also sampled a variety of interesting food and beverages, including bitter libations, zero-sugar sausage snacks, an RTD tea sweetened with apple sugar and plant-based scallops. 22:04: Interview: David Garci-Aguirre, VP of Operations and Master Miller, Corto Olive – Garci-Aguirre spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif about his career path from an (almost) professional soccer player to an olive oil expert, why he refers to olive oil as “the one ingredient that farm to table forgot” and why he describes the designation of “extra virgin” as “like getting a D in school.” He also explained how Corto has aligned its business units to consistently produce and package fresh olive oil and how the company communicates the value of its process and standards to its customers. Brands in this episode: Poppi, Perfy, Plink, Liquid Death, Cann, Bitter Love, Sonder, Athletic Brewing, Swing Tea, MaKa, Lost Art Cultured Foods, Mind Blown, Country Archer, Spudsy, Ithaca Hummus, Corto Olive

Cann co-founder and CEO Jake Bullock saw entrepreneurship as a way to break free from what he described as the path dependency of corporate life, but more importantly because he wanted “to build something big.” Cann is getting closer to meeting his ambition. Launched in 2019 by Bullock and co-founder Luke Anderson, Cann markets “microdosed social tonics” that are infused with 2mg of THC and 4mg of CBD and marketed as delivering “a perfect, uplifting buzz with a strength similar to a beer or glass of wine” with no hangover. The brand, which also sells an “Unspiked” line, is currently available for purchase in 33 states and throughout Canada.  Amid a gradual loosening of cannabis laws in the U.S., Cann has positioned itself as an attractive and accessible option for canna-curious and sober-curious consumers. The brand’s cultural relevance is also supported by an A-list roster of celebrity investors, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Hudson, Rosario Dawson and Nina Dobrev, the latter of whom joined the company as a shareholder as part of its $27 million Series A round, which was announced in February 2022. While Cann is the most visible and distributed cannabis-infused drink brand in the U.S., it’s still a long way from becoming a household name. What will it take for that to happen and how does Cann build upon its carefully planned foundation? Bullock answered those questions and discussed much more about the brand’s ascendancy in this episode. Show notes: 0:43: Interview: Jake Bullock, Co-Founder & CEO, Cann – Bullock met with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif in New York City where they reminisced about Cann’s victory in BevNET Live’s New Beverage Showdown 17 and how the competition “set the trajectory for the company,” before the entrepreneur discussed a recently bestowed honor from Food & Wine magazine. Bullock also spoke about the importance of community based, on-the-ground education, the regulatory framework for selling cannabis-based beverages, the common issue that links Cann’s consumers and why older adults are a key base for the brand. Later, he explained how Cann sits at the intersection of canna- and sober-curious, why he believes buzz gives the brand an edge over non-alcoholic RTD cocktails, how entrepreneurship provided him with “a very expensive education… after college” and what he learned about running a beverage company that he wished he’d known earlier. Bullock also explained why early-stage fundraising is about “finding the one,” the company’s scrappy strategy for getting product into celebrities’ hands and attracting investment from them, walking a fine line when talking about cannabis as a safer ingredient than alcohol, why he took issue with a 2022 New York Times article about “weed drinks,” how Cann’s commitment to innovative advertising and video-based content has paid off and why he believes brands “need an enemy in all marketing.” Brands in this episode: Cann

What food and beverage brands stood out at Coachella 2023? Jacqui Brugliera reported back from the annual music festival, including how most festival-goers quenched their thirst in the desert. Speaking of hydration, the hosts discussed whether #watertok is a faux controversy, before riffing on new snack and protein bars, CBD cocktails and a (very) cherry juice shot. This episode also features an interview with Raffi Vartanian and Patrick Johnson, the co-founders of Ziba Foods, a mission-driven brand of heirloom nuts, seeds and dried fruits that maintains an ethical supply chain from farm to bag, including fair and direct trade with Afghan farmers along with living wages for its women-centric workforce at the company’s processing facility in Kabul.  Show notes: 0:43: So Silver, So ‘Lit. Don’t Procrastinate. Bars And Protein Aplenty. – Omusubi, low-carb Dutch beer, dumplings and recovery drinks – Jacqui had on a full plate at Coachella. The hosts urged early-stage beverage founders to apply to participate in New Beverage Showdown 25 before the May 12 deadline and begrudgingly discussed the latest TikTok-born controversy/trend. Later, they each highlighted a new snack bar, including one with a boba tea flavor, a collaboration between two powerhouse brands and a trio of Pakistani-inspired hot sauces. 26:44: Interview: Raffi Vartanian & Patrick Johnson, Co-Founders, Ziba Foods – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif spoke with Vartanian and Johnson at Expo West 2023 about their vision for Ziba and how they articulate the brand’s compelling story and product value to consumers and retailers. The duo also discussed, how they navigated the complexities of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 and subsequent return of Taliban rule in the country, and how contingency planning factors into their long-term business strategy. Brands in this episode: Dave’s Killer Bread, Little Saints, Unite Foods, MiLa, Electrolit, Hello Soju, Chamberlain Coffee, Heineken, Michelob, Lesser Evil, Fishwife, OWYN, Chomps, The Coconut Cult, Pressed, Milonga, Fringe Food Co., Peepal People, Ziba Foods

The example of a duck is often used to express abductive reasoning: “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck…” etc. If one were to use the term “niche brand” instead, the logic would typically hold true. But there are exceptions, like The Coconut Cult. Founded in 2017 by Noah Simon-Waddell, Jungho Oh and James Harkin, The Coconut Cult markets refrigerated, coconut-based yogurt made with vegan and organic ingredients and packaged in 8 and 16 oz. glass jars. Known for its playful labels – which feature the brand’s distinctive pink flamingo – and quirky social marketing, The Coconut Cult is distributed nationally, including chainwide at Sprouts and The Fresh Market, select Whole Foods regions and hundreds of natural and independent stores where an 8 oz. jar retails for approximately $10.  The Coconut Cult has also built a thriving direct-to-consumer business generated in part by a social strategy where Simon-Waddell is front and center and speaking to the brand’s followers – including 107,000 on Instagram – about healthy eating and lifestyle choices.  Amid the construction of a new manufacturing facility designed to keep up with surging DTC and retail demand, Simon-Waddell and Raz talked about how The Coconut Cult has positioned itself for scale and mainstream success while maintaining the values and vision from which the brand was born. Show notes: 0:43: Interview: Ari Raz, CEO & Noah Simon-Waddell, Co-Founder, The Coconut Cult – Simon-Waddell and Raz met with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at Expo West 2023 where they chatted about The Coconut Cult’s sprawling AirBnb before Simon-Waddell discussed the brand’s origins and Raz explained why explosive demand put plans for a single-serve package on hold. They also discussed how seasonal and limited-time offerings have driven new consumer interest in the brand and thousands of monthly subscribers to its online platform with no paid ads or influencers. Later, they shared details about how and why the brand is one of the fastest-growing at Sprouts across all categories, how Simon-Waddell is attempting to educate more Americans about better food choices via yogurt and why they attribute authentic and meaningful messaging as having a direct correlation to strong and organic sales growth. Brands in this episode: The Coconut Cult, Hu Kitchen, Health-Ade

Does pickleball need its own beverage brand? Why is Jennifer Lopez, who doesn’t drink alcohol, getting into the booze business? Who is Blob Guy? The hosts discuss… Also in this episode: interviews with Elavi co-founders Michelle Razavi and Nikki Elliott, who explained how they launched a package revamp for less than $200, along with Goat Rodeo Capital co-founder Carlton Fowler, who shared his perspective as an active investor in emerging and growth-stage companies.  Show notes: 0:37: JLo, What Are You Doing? A Dinky Concept. Lady Boba And Blob Guy. – Jacqui chatted about her preparation and plans for the upcoming Coachella festival before sharing new speaker announcements for BevNET Live Summer 2023. The hosts collectively wondered about the scaling potential of a brand that has a hyper-specific target consumer and why authenticity is a glaring issue with Jennifer Lopez’ new RTD cocktail brand. Later, BevNET’s director of community Melissa Traverse joined the episode and spoke about recent and upcoming episodes of Community Call, and the hosts riffed on several notable brands including a canned boba tea and a functional granola. 30:41: Interview: Michelle Razavi & Nikki Elliott, Co-Founders, Elavi – Michelle Razavi and Nikki Elliott are the co-founders of Elavi, which markets low-sugar and gut-friendly protein bars and cashew butters. Taste Radio editor Ray Latif sat down with Razavi and Elliott at Expo West 2023 where they shared a remarkable story about a recent package revamp that was executed in two weeks and at minimal cost.  44:49: Interview: Carlton Fowler, Managing Partner, Goat Rodeo Capital – Fowler spoke with Latif as part of a new series in which he will regularly discuss investment-related topics that are relevant and top-of-mind for food and beverage founders. In this first conversation, Fowler discussed his background as an operator and the impact of that experience in his investment strategy, how investors evaluate branding at each stage of a company’s development and the emergence of creator-led brands. Brands in this episode: Yesly, Spindrift, Super Coffee, Dink, LifeAid, BodyArmor, Delola, Biena, Siete, Lady Boba, Sanzo, Golden Grahams, Lacroix, Diet Coke, Forij, Kiddiewinks, Tally Kids, Elavi, RxBar, Poppi, Liquid Death, Lemon Perfect, Prime, Feastables, Nectar

Chic is not typically a word associated with fish. But it is fitting for Fishwife. A modern, super-premium brand of tinned seafood, Fishwife is the brainchild of entrepreneurs Becca Millstein and Caroline Goldfarb. Launched in December 2020, the Los Angeles-based company markets ethically sourced canned tuna, salmon, trout and anchovies from fisheries and aquaculture farms in the United States and Europe. Known for its bright and quirky label designs, Fishwife built a thriving DTC business early on and gradually introduced distribution to select brick-and-mortar retailers across the U.S. Earlier this year, Whole Foods began selling Fishwife products at stores in its Southern Pacific region and will add them to its Northern California locations this summer.  In this episode, Millstein spoke about the “light bulb” moment and planning process that led to the development of Fishwife, the impact of its striking label design on trial and word of mouth marketing, her perspective on scaling a niche concept and how she navigated and learned from a potentially devastating sourcing crisis. Show notes: 0:43: Interview: Becca Millstein, Co-Founder/CEO, Fishwife - Millstein met with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at Expo West 2023 where the entrepreneur spoke about Fishwife’s emergence as a “pandemic baby,” parallels between her previous career in the music industry and that of consumer products and why it was important to identify the brand’s target consumer early on. She also explained how Fishwife’s branding and label designs generated significant interest among consumer and trade media and foundation for DTC success, the day that Millstein worried that her business was in peril and how she planned to avoid a similar one in the future and how she assesses partnerships with other consumer brands. Brands in this episode: Fishwife, Liquid Death, Fly By Jing, Magic Spoon, Three Wishes, Scout Canning, Patagonia Provisions, Chicken of the Sea, Aura Bora, Omsom, Van Leeuwen, Jeni’s, Sprinkles Cupcakes

Taste Radio’s hosts pondered the potential of innovative, yet imaginary, concepts; examined why discontinued brands and products – including a line of high-profile energy shots – failed to make it; and riffed upon a bevy of new snacks and drinks.  This episode also features an interview with Alexandra Dempster and Isabelle Steichen, the co-founders of Lupii, an innovative platform brand that markets lupini bean-based foods.  Launched in 2020, Lupii debuted with a line of plant-based protein bars highlighted by its hero ingredient, which the brand promotes as “a high-fiber legume that has 2x more protein than chickpeas and 3x more protein than eggs.” In August 2022, Lupii expanded with a three-SKU line of high-protein and high fiber pastas that contain significantly less carbs than those made with traditional ingredients. The brand is represented in hundreds of chain and independent retailers, primarily in the Northeast, Midwest and Pacific Northwest, including Whole Foods, Safeway and Jewel-Osco. Dempster and Steichen spoke about Lupii’s origins and their alignment as co-founders, how they shifted from “survival mode” amid the early months of the pandemic to a focus on thoughtful growth at retail, how they were able to attract interest and funding from angel investors and their vision and plan to develop a platform brand. Show notes: 0:37: How To Meet Top Whole Foods Executives, Scotch Spray, The Fiddy/Craven Connection – Less than a week from BevNET’s Meetup at the company’s Newton, MA HQ, the hosts highlighted recently announced speakers for BevNET Live Summer 2023 and wondered if some products conceptualized as April Fool’s jokes should be commercialized. Ray stirred the pot with his bag of discontinued brands, including those of a cap-activated chia beverage, a blue recovery drink and 50 Cent’s energy shot, along with a brain-boosting product with a rather controversial name, before chatting about a highly anticipated collaboration between two massive companies, super-premium chorizo and better-for-you refreshment drinks. 31:51: Interview: Alexandra Dempster & Isabelle Steichen, Co-Founders, Lupii – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif met with Lupii’s co-founders at Expo West 2023, where Steichen spoke about how a diverse population in her native country of Luxembourg exposed her to Lupini beans and their nutritional value as compared to other sources of plant and animal-based protein, why she sought to find a co-founder to launch to the brand and how she and Alexandra formed a bond and common vision for the company. They also discussed how they applied consumer insights from early DTC sales to a brick and mortar retail strategy, identifying Lupii’s core consumer, how they articulate the brand’s “trifecta of benefits,” iterating amid growth, achieving a “sweet spot” within the pasta category and their perspective on venture funding for women-owned and -led brands. Brands in this episode:  Laphroaig, Fly By Jing, Paqui, Sanzo, Ithaca Hummus, Hendrick’s Gin, Moju, Neuro Drinks, 5-hour Energy, Coca-Cola, Jack Daniel’s, Simply, Fanta, Lentiful, Funky Mello, Skippy, Justin’s, Teddie, Tip Top Cocktails, Togronis, Crafthouse Cocktails, Three Sisters Meats, Paro, Update Energy, Phocus, Petal, Bossa Nova, Spindrift, Lemonback, Lupii, Oatly, Banza

Founded by professional athletes, OWYN is rooted in the concept that vegan and allergen-free ingredients are “only what you need” from protein and sports nutrition beverages. But what do challenger businesses need to disrupt legacy categories and outperform the brands in those spaces? According to OWYN CEO Mark Olivieri, great taste and great data. Launched in 2017, OWYN markets a core five-SKU line of RTD protein shakes made with 20 grams of plant-based protein, a “Pro Elite” line made with 35 grams of protein, and zero-sugar meal replacement beverages and protein powders. OWYN debuted as a DTC brand and has since adopted an omnichannel sales strategy emphasizing brick and mortar retail. The shift in focus has paid dividends. OWYN is carried by Kroger, Publix, Target, Walmart and Whole Foods and is outselling protein stalwarts, including Muscle Milk, according to SPINS data. The company is projecting $85 million in 2023 revenue and is on track to generate $350 million by 2025. In this episode, Olivieri, who has risen in OWYN’s ranks from SVP of marketing to president and eventually its CEO, discussed the important role that data has played in the brand’s growth and trajectory, how the company sources and implements a variety of information and insights into its business strategy, what he attributes to success at driving repeat purchase and how he identifies and evaluates the brand’s primary competitors. Show notes: 0:46: Interview: Mark Olivieri, CEO, OWYN – Olivieri sat down with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at Expo West 2023, where the OWYN CEO explained his belief that “the next billion dollar nutrition beverage brand has been found,” why much of the brand’s growth in recent years has taken place under the radar and lessons and from working with large retailers and DSD distributors. He also discussed the company’s data strategy and its investment in store level, category and consumer insights and how OWYN attempts to learn from and replicate successful sales, merchandising and marketing initiatives. Brands in this episode: OWYN, Orgain, Vega, Vital Proteins