Taste Radio

In this episode, the hosts shared CPG roundups from the Pacific Northwest regions of both the U.S. and Canada, discussed the controversy surrounding children and caffeine and questioned whether honey truffle could be a gamechanger for the food and beverage industry. Show notes: 0:35: Portlandia & Prime. Marmots & Mountains. Bad Breath & Blue #1. — Did Jacqui dodge lava? It certainly looked that way. Melissa's Canadian store checks yielded some interesting information and sparked a conversation about Prime Energy and Gen Alpha, before the hosts collectively chatted about natural sweeteners, artificial ingredients and whether gum is worth the trouble. Brands in this episode: Bob's Red Mill, Mid-Day Squares, SmartSweets, Guru, Buddha Brands, Made Good, Love Good Fat, Big Mountain Brands. Silverhill Sprouted Bread, Doritos, Red Boat, Prime, 5-hour Energy, Gatorade, Powerade, BodyArmor, Ghia, Betty Booze, Aviation Gin, Sol-ti

Magnolia Bakery's famous banana pudding, an indulgent mash-up of fresh bananas, vanilla wafers and vanilla pudding, is the reason that you continue to see long lines outside of the company's flagship shop in Manhattan, which opened in 1996. Although Magnolia wants to make the dessert more accessible, the New York-based company is limited by the capacity of its 10 U.S. retail locations and direct-to-consumer platform. To reach more customers, its leaders had to get creative. So they made cookies. In March, Magnolia introduced its Banana Pudding Cookies, a line of soft-baked cookies made with real butter, bananas and chocolate. Available in three flavors – Classic Vanilla with White Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Chunk, and Confetti with White Chocolate Chips – the cookies are individually wrapped and sold in packs of four for $7.99 a box. They are available in retailers across the U.S., including Costco, The Fresh Market and Harris Teeter. In this episode, Magnolia Bakery CEO Bobbie Lloyd and CMO Eddie Revis spoke about the company's decision to create a CPG brand and the patient and thoughtful approach behind its development. As part of the conversation, discussed why consistency and quality guides their stewardship of the company, why they eschew trendy concepts and Magnolia's collaborations with lifestyle brands. Show notes: 0:43: Interview: Bobbie Lloyd, CEO & Eddie Revis, CMO Magnolia Bakery – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif spoke with Lloyd and Revis at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food show, where they spoke about their variety of interactions with attendees, the evolution of Magnolia Bakery over its 27 years in business and how the development of a CPG brand elicited a rebrand. They also explained why Magnolia doesn't self-manufacture its cookies, the reason it uses artificial flavors and how the products' target consumer informs its retail strategy. Later, Revis explained how the company aligns demand planning and marketing resources, why "the most important thing is to deliver on the experience that the consumer wants to have," Magnolia's partnerships with Monos, Boy Smells, Tula Skincare and Kate Spade and the navigating consumer perception of the company as small while continuing to grow. Brands in this episode: Magnolia Bakery, Chobani

Can Coolhaus make a comeback? Although the beloved non-dairy ice cream brand is reportedly on the chopping block, the hosts discussed a potential salvation akin to those of discontinued brands resurrected by new owners. This episode also features the latest installment of The Goat Pen with Carlton Fowler, the co-founder of Goat Rodeo Capital, who spoke about his "obsession" with outliers. Show notes: 0:41: Wine In Baja. RIP… But, Maybe Not? Bliss Balls, Energy Gels, Pizza Nuts. – Jacqui shared details of a recent visit to Baja's burgeoning wine scene, before the hosts collectively reflected on their favorite defunct brands and why some received a second chance. They also chatted about a mashup of notable products, including canned beans with a nostalgic twist and citrus-infused cold brew coffee. 30:00: Segment: The Goat Pen With Carlton Fowler – Fowler riffed on his love for Magnolia Bakery's new packaged cookie line before explaining how he defines and invests in outlier companies and his perspective on celebrity and creator-led brands. He also explained why a brand's track record isn't necessarily an indication of its potential, how and why investors can get it wrong and his advice on what to leave out of a pitch deck. Brands in this episode: Vita Coco, Zico, Coolhaus, Brave Robot, Honest Tea, Just Ice Tea, Dirty Lemon, Ibex, NJoy, Rise Brewing Co., La Colombe, Door County Coffee, Bai, Lemon Perfect, Chargel, Raw Bliss Balls, Creation Nation, Healthy Truth, Combos, Daily Crunch, Goldfish, Heyday Canning Co., A Dozen Cousins, Fillo's, Barnacle Foods, Frank's Hot Sauce, Tabasco, Nectar Hard Seltzer, The Good Crisp, HopLark, BeatBox Beverages

Tom Colicchio is a gastronomic icon. He also likes his tomato sauce out of a jar. Colicchio, who is the head judge and an executive producer of acclaimed TV reality competition "Top Chef" and the owner of award-winning restaurant group Crafted Hospitality, is a partner in Colicchio Kitchen, a premium brand of sauces and condiments that are positioned as high-quality and convenient products for home chefs. Recently rebranded from The Jersey Tomato Company, Colicchio Kitchen debuted at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show held from June 25-27, and showcased a broad range of products, including its Colicchio Collection of ultra-premium cooking and pairing sauces. In this episode, Colicchio spoke about his involvement in the brand and his role in the development of its products, his perspective on adding an ethnic-themed line, how he defines "good food" and why he's less intimidating than you might think. From tomato sauce in jars to cocktails in cans, this episode also highlights a remarkable partnership between upstart beverage company Social Hour and iconic spirit brand George Dickel. Launched in 2020, Social Hour markets premium RTD craft cocktails made with high-quality ingredients, including a Gin & Tonic, Whiskey Mule and Yuzu Sunset Fizz. In 2021, Social Hour aligned with legacy whiskey brand George Dickel to launch its seasonally-inspired Harvest Whiskey Sour, an expression made with Dickel's 13-year-old Tennessee whiskey and re-released the following year. The companies teamed up once again in 2023 to create the summer-themed Social Hour Bourbon Smash made with Dickel Bourbon, which was introduced in late June. Social Hour co-founder Tom Macy and Nicole Austin, the general manager and distiller of George Dickel whiskey spoke about the origins of the partnership, how the collaboration aligned the aims of both brands and how the relationship may develop down the line. Show notes: 0:48: Interview: Tom Colicchio, Partner, Colicchio Kitchen – Colicchio met with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif in New York City and spoke about his experience at the 2023 Summer Fancy Food, why growing up in New Jersey had a significant impact on his initial decision to develop a consumer brand and the companies expansion into condiments. He also discussed his evaluation of flavor and functional ingredients when it comes to great tasting food and Italian cuisine is the primary focus for Colicchio Kitchen. 14:04 Interview: Tom Macy, Co-Founder, Social Hour & Nicole Austin, General Manager/Distiller, George Dickel — Macy recalled his experience in BevNET Cocktail Showdown 2 competition and discussed how he has navigated an increasingly crowded RTD cocktail category. Austin spoke about her interest in creating a canned cocktail and why she jumped at the opportunity to work with Social Hour, how she and Macy attempted to reduce the red tape when creating the partnership between the two companies, why they chose to develop a Bourbon Smash and why they're not looking too far down the line for the next product. Brands in this episode: Colicchio Kitchen, Social Hour, George Dickel

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