Taste Radio

Ten years ago, Alison Cayne opened a cooking school in New York City called Haven’s Kitchen. The goal was simple: help local residents learn how to make better food at home and enjoy doing it. Although the pandemic forced the school to shut its doors in 2020, the mission of Haven’s Kitchen lives on in the form of an eponymous consumer brand of refrigerated sauces. Available in eight globally-inspired flavors, including Golden Turmeric Tahini, Edamame Green Goddess and Herby Chimichurri, the sauces are packaged in transparent, squeezable eco-friendly pouches. The products debuted in 2018 and are now available in over 2,000 locations, including at Whole Foods, Target, Sprouts, Giant and Foxtrot. Much of the retail growth has come over the past two years and reflects the brand’s surging sales: a 500% year-over-year increase in 2020 and +80% in 2021. In an interview featured in this episode, Cayne spoke about the origins of Haven’s Kitchen, the impact of the brand’s innovative packaging and striking label design on trial, why emphasizing use case and occasion is critical for consumer adoption and repurchase and how effective merchandising of the products has enabled it to become “the ultimate basket builder.” She also explained how to use anecdotal data effectively when pitching to retail buyers, navigating the challenge of uneven retail pricing and how she found a co-packer that would invest in the brand's future. Show notes: 0:42: Interview: Alison Cayne, Founder & CEO, Haven’s Kitchen – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif met with Cayne at Haven’s Kitchen’s test kitchen and office in the Soho neighborhood of Manhattan where they chatted about nostalgic snacks, her team’s desire to return to an IRL work setting and Whole Foods’ influence on the launch of Haven’s Kitchen sauces. She also explained the reason behind the brand name, how the company successfully broke traditional rules of branding and package design, educating mainstream consumers about esoteric flavors and why Chobani’s head of innovation told her to stop innovating. Later, she spoke about how an argument with her partner led to an emphasis on gross margin, why she’s bullish on Target, despite the chain’s pricing strategy, and why her podcast has been beneficial to her education about the food industry. Brands in this episode: Haven’s Kitchen, SOMOS Foods, Kind Snacks, Cholula, Chobani, A Dozen Cousins, Sabra, Perfect Snacks, Lucky Charms, Snickers, Ithaca Hummus, Spudsy, Sir Kensington’s, Momofuku

This special edition of Taste Radio highlights actionable insights and advice from interviews with six founders, creators and leaders who joined us on the show during the first half of 2022. Our guests include Todd Carmichael, Co-Founder, La Colombe & Loftiwater; Zoe Feldman, GM of Consumer, Momofuku; Adam Bremen, Founder, Keto Krisp; Annie Ryu, Founder/CEO, Jack & Annie’s; Sandro Roco, Founder & CEO, Sanzo; and Kat Cole, President & COO, Athletic Greens. Show notes:  0:44: Interview: Todd Carmichael, Co-Founder, La Colombe & Loftiwater – We kick things off with La Colombe co-founder Todd Carmichael who has turned his attention from coffee to sparkling water with his latest venture, Loftiwater. In this clip, pulled from our episode published on January 4, Todd spoke about the origins of the brand name, the value of hard work, how he landed on sparkling water as the basis for his next beverage brand and why he chose to build a production facility rather than work with a co-manufacturer. 10:28: Interview: Zoe Feldman, GM of Consumer, Momofuku – Our next clip is pulled from an episode featured on May 17 and features Zoe Feldman, the GM of Consumer for acclaimed and influential restaurant group Momofuku. Zoe discussed the importance of maintaining perspective, the reason she only hires “Swiss Army knives,”  her emphasis on building contingencies into the company’s operational strategy and why she maintains an “open book, open door” policy. 19:06: Interview: Adam Bremen, Founder, Keto Krisp – We continue with a clip from our episode published on February 1, which features an interview with Adam Bremen, the founder of  fast-growing snack bar brand Keto Krisp. Adam explained the importance of “getting outside of our comfort zones” and how it led to his passion for surfing, why he wasn’t overly concerned about the challenges of entrepreneurship in the food industry and why he always “puts himself in the [retail] buyer’s shoes.  27:07: Interview: Annie Ryu, Founder/CEO, Jack & Annie’s – Next up is a clip from an episode published on January 11, which featured an interview with Annie Ryu, the founder and CEO of The Jackfruit Company and sister brand Jack & Annie’s. Annie explained the special nature of jackfruit, identifying the right messaging to attract retail buyers and consumers and what she’s learned about entrepreneurship and the value of persistence. 33:01: Interview: Sandro Roco, Founder & CEO, Sanzo – The episode continues with Sandro Roco, the founder and CEO of fast-growing Asian-inspired sparkling water brand Sanzo. In this clip, from an episode published on March 22, Sandro explained the impact of well-known culinary personalities on his decision to start a beverage brand, how he identified addressable white space in the sparkling water category and why “hitting quickly” is important for an early-stage drink company. 41:47: Interview: Kat Cole, President & COO, Athletic Greens – Finally, we hear from Kat Cole, the president and COO of rapidly growing wellness brand Athletic Greens. Cole spoke with us in an episode published on February 15, and in this clip she discussed her funding strategy as an angel investor, why she urges entrepreneurs to find a “minimum viable community” and how she efficiently consumes large amounts of information using a variety of ways and sources. Brands in this episode: La Colombe, Loftiwater, Momofuku, Sanzo, Jack & Annie’s, Keto Krisp, Athletic Greens, Fly By Jing, Omsom, Nguyen Coffee Supply, Chobani

Taste Radio’s hosts riffed on Bang founder/CEO Jack Owoc’s unforgettable stage appearance at BevNET Live Summer 2022, M&A headlines in the business of beer and food, why it’s important to stay connected to our newsrooms and notable new products, including pickle-infused hummus and a fizzy drink inspired by the flavors of Korean cuisine. We also feature our latest edition of The Maxi Minutes for a conversation about what investors don’t want to hear in a pitch. Show notes: 0:52: A Free Tee, John Was Glued To His Screen, Three Stars… And Vegan, Steaming At Home – The episode opens with a reminder on how to get a free Taste Radio t-shirt (hint: it’s really easy), a less-than-craven take on a ‘bang’ up interview and how Jacqui convinced Ray that Michelin might have it right when it comes to a high-end restaurant. The hosts also discussed the recent acquisition of  two well-known brands, why samples are really helpful and why Ray is excited about coming back to BevNET HQ. 26:25: The Maxi Minutes, Part 4 –  Maxine Kozler Koven, the co-managing director of Los Angeles-based investment firm LDR Ventures, advised listeners on what not to say to a potential investor and also tackles the timely topic of supply chain challenges and how to address them with your funding partners. Brands in this episode: Bang Energy, Clif Bar, Stone Brewing, Soultopia, Teaonic, Parch, Halmi, Berry Bissap, Vermont Smoke & Cure, Razorwire Energy, Ithaca Hummus, Grillo’s, Snow Days, Wholly Veggie, FOMO Baking Co., Ruani

When Ibraheem Basir launched A Dozen Cousins in 2018, retail buyers questioned the marketability of the brand’s first products, a line of premium-positioned cooked beans. Four years later, those buyers are asking a different question: “How do we keep up with consumer demand?” A former marketing executive with General Mills, Basir founded A Dozen Cousins to increase accessibility of better-for-you food within Black and Latino communities via healthy ingredients, authentic seasonings and convenient preparation. Available in varieties such as Mexican Cowboy Pinto Beans and Trini Chickpea Curry, the beans are packaged in microwavable pouches that can be heated in 60 seconds. As A Dozen Cousins expanded distribution, the brand found traction with a broad variety of consumers seeking a quick, flavorful meal or side dish. The company has since added two complementary product lines – bone-broth cooked rice and seasoning sauces for rice and meat dishes – and widened its presence in stores across retail channels, including Whole Foods, Walmart, Trader Joes, Kroger and REI. In an interview featured in this episode, Basir spoke about how the brand’s initial focus has evolved, working with co-manufacturing partners to ensure quality standards, why sampling was critical to its development and why keeping a foot in the familiar is a key tenet of its innovation strategy. He also explained why A Dozen Cousins is relatively quiet about raising capital and shared his take on improved opportunities and continuing challenges for BIPOC food entrepreneurs. Show notes: 0:42: Interview: Ibraheem Basir, Founder & CEO, A Dozen Cousins – Basir spoke with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif at NOSH Live Summer 2022 where they discussed their shared experience growing up in large families, alternate names for A Dozen Cousins and how the brand addresses “two different levels” of consumer needs. Basir also spoke about how he prepared for a national launch at Whole Foods while the brand was still in its infancy, the impact of his experience as an employee at a large food conglomerate, what social media taught the company about the unexpected ways consumers used the beans and what moved the needle for retail buyers that were initially skeptical about the brand. Later, he explained why the launch of A Dozen Cousins’ rice was about creating something “additive” to the category, why he wants the brand to be “in the middle of the spectrum” when it comes to innovation, the reason the company isn’t vocal about funding and why he points to the lack of “insider knowledge” as a hurdle for BIPOC founders. Brands in this episode: A Dozen Cousins, Annie’s

It’s rare for an entrepreneurial food or beverage brand to generate a billion dollars in annual revenue. Yet that hasn’t kept ambitious founders from envisioning a 10-figure future for their companies. Yanni Hufnagel, the founder and CEO of Lemon Perfect, is one of those aspiring leaders, and based on the trajectory for his brand this far, he has a realistic shot. Launched in 2018, Lemon Perfect markets a line of low-calorie, lemon-flavored water. Positioned as hydration beverages, the USDA certified organic drinks come in seven varieties each sweetened with a blend of erythritol and stevia and containing five calories per 12 oz. bottle.    Available nationwide at Publix, Kroger, Whole Foods and Ralph’s, Lemon Perfect anticipates over $60 million in sales and a retail footprint of over 40,000 doors by the end of 2022 as it expands into Costco, CVS, Walmart and Target. Earlier this year, the company closed on a $31 million Series A funding round that included a high-profile roster of celebrity investors headlined by music icon Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. The recent financing brought Lemon Perfect’s total funding to $42.2 million and a valuation of over $100 million. In an interview featured in this episode, Hufnagel spoke about his overarching vision for Lemon Perfect, the parallels between coaching college basketball and running a beverage company, why nailing “the big decisions” has been critical to the brand’s development and how his perspective on gross margin has evolved. He also explained why Lemon Perfect has invested heavily in field sales, how he cultivated a culture of hustle and commitment and why he says that he’s never sold the brand to an investor.   Show notes: 0:42: Interview: Yanni Hufnagel, Founder & CEO, Lemon Perfect – Before diving into Lemon Perfect’s backstory, Hufnagel and Taste Radio editor Ray Latif chatted about the entrepreneur’s Instagram handle, his brief flirtation with investment banking and the origin of the brand’s name. Hufnagel also discussed the simplicity of Lemon Perfect’s ingredients, how he got up to speed in the beverage industry (hint: a certain podcast was key), his counterintuitive advice about gross margin for early-stage brands, why moving to a shelf-stable formulation was instrumental in the brand’s growth and why not hiring a CEO was one of the best decisions he’s made. Later, he explained why Lemon Perfect’s unit economics make it highly attractive to investors, his praise (and acronyms) for hard work and why “being great fiduciary of a capital” is a point of pride.  Brands in this episode: Lemon Perfect, Vitaminwater, Bai, Vita Coco

Taste Radio’s hosts reflected on the return of BevNET and NOSH’s summer events to New York City, the accessibility of admired brand leaders and top retail executives at NOSH Live, the camaraderie among entrepreneurs meeting each other for the first time in person at BevNET Live and why taste and story inspired the strongest reactions for judges in the events’ brand competitions. Show notes: 0:40: Chelsiron, Jacqui’s A Pitch Slam Pro, Content Is Still King, Brownies Are The Best – Convening on the stage after day one of BevNET Live, the hosts chatted about Jacqui’s first time judging the New Beverage Showdown, the quality of speaker panels and presentations at the events and the triumph of an adaptogenic brownie brand. Mike also praised the communication skills of New Beverage Showdown semifinalists and Ray expressed his admiration for an innovative cocktail brand. Brands in this episode: Wild Fizz Kombucha, Plink, Perfy, Aura Bora, Saffron Road, Mid-Day Squares, Sweet Loren’s, Jeni’s Ice Cream, Orgain, Culture Pop, Poppi, Ruani, SOMI Energy, Everything Cheeze, Straightaway Cocktails

What do adaptogens, nootropics and botanicals have to do with the future of social drinking? If you ask Kin Euphorics co-founder and CEO Jen Batchelor, the answer is “quite a bit.” And, based on Kin’s trajectory, it’s hard to argue with her. Founded in 2017, Kin Euphorics is based on the idea that there needed to be a better-for-you alternative to alcohol when decompressing after work or enjoying a night out with friends. Available in five SKUs tied to distinct use occasions, the beverages are formulated with functional ingredients said to enhance mood and relieve stress, including, depending on variety, Rhodiola Rosea, 5-HTP, Gaba and L-Theanine. Since its inception, Kin has raised over $10 million dollars in venture capital, a figure that reflects the brand’s remarkable growth, particularly via e-commerce. While 90% of the company’s revenue is currently derived from direct-to-consumer sales, Kin is in the midst of an aggressive push into brick and mortar retail. The company recently announced the hires of three former Fever-Tree executives tasked with expanding distribution of the brand into large retailers in all channels of trade. In an interview featured in this episode, Batchelor discussed the inspiration for and development of Kin, why the brand adopted “euphorics” as part of its branding despite the word’s association with drug culture, how Soylent provided a rough template for the company’s business strategy and the brand’s association with sober-curious lifestyles. She also explained how Kin has built an effective D2C strategy, applying learnings from success at upscale retailer Erewhon to other chains, and how she views me-too brands that have emerged in recent years. Show notes: 0:49: Interview: Jen Batchelor, Co-Founder & CEO, Kin Euphorics – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif spoke with Batchelor about Kin’s recent company retreat, the impact that growing up in Saudi Arabia had on her belief system, how she weaved together cultural experiences and Ayurvedic methodology into the creation of the brand and why, despite its unconventional positioning, traditional business fundamentals have been critical to Kin’s development. She also explained how Kin became an “accidental D2C brand,” how supermodel Bella Hadid became an investor and partner, the ambitious goals for the company’s new commercial team, and why Batchelor is enthusiastic about some emerging non-alcoholic social brands  — and less so about others. Brands in this episode: Kin Euphorics, Soylent, Ghia

Before country music star Brad Paisley embarked on his 2022 global tour, he had to pack a few things. Namely, 90 or so barrels of bourbon. A Grammy award-winning singer  regarded as one of genre’s most talented solo artists, Paisley is also the founder of American Highway Reserve, a limited-edition whiskey brand he developed in collaboration with Bardstown Bourbon Company.  The brand gets its name from the unique way part of the bourbon is aged. Each batch contains a blend of whiskey that is filled into barrels and loaded onto a trailer truck dubbed the “Rolling Rickhouse,” which accompanies Paisley during his U.S. tour. American Highway Reserve’s debut expression was made with whiskey that traveled 7,314 miles across 25 states in 2019. According to the brand, the whiskey’s exposure to variations in temperature and reverberation from the road impart greater nuance in flavor and aroma. In an interview featured in this episode, Paisley spoke about the inspiration for American Highway Reserve, which recently released its second expression, appropriately styled as “Route 2,” as well as the decision to partner with Bardstown Bourbon Company and why he immersed himself in the process of distilling and blending the whiskey. He also discussed his role in communication and marketing efforts, why his name isn’t on the label and his ultimate vision for the bourbon. Show notes: 0:46: Brad Paisley, Founder, American Highway Reserve – Paisley and Taste Radio editor Ray Latif riffed on the musician’s 2022 tour, including the country music scene in Scandinavia and the on-stage bar at his shows. He also discussed his passion for bourbon and remarkable whiskey collection, training his palate, and why, despite many high-quality bourbon brands on the market, he saw white space for a new one. Later, he discussed how the positioning of American Highway Reserve was determined as it was developed, communicating the production story to consumers, how he addresses some critics’ skepticism about the aging process and how the brand can potentially evolve. Brands in this episode: American Highway Reserve, Jefferson's Bourbon, Four Roses, Angel’s Envy, Bardstown Bourbon, Parker’s Heritage, Casamigos

Taste Radio’s hosts discussed Coca-Cola’s decision to discontinue Honest Tea, the brand’s legacy and impact on better-for-you beverage and food companies, and what the move might mean for new and emerging upstarts. They also highlighted recently announced speakers, including Bang Energy founder/CEO Jack Owoc and top executives from Whole Foods and Kroger, that will be joining the stages at BevNET Live and NOSH Live this summer and chatted about several innovative products that crossed their desks over the past month. Show notes: 0:40: Jacqui Wins Again, Mike Is ‘Country Curious’ And Drinks Broccoli, Ray’s Essential Travel Food – The episode opens with a chat about a country music star’s bourbon brand, another trophy for Jacqui and why March 1, 2011 was a special day. John explained why some small brands will likely benefit from Honest Tea’s discontinuation, Ray noted the sale of a pioneering cold-pressed juice brand and the hosts collectively spoke about some of their favorite new products, including a mouthwatering coated nut snack, outstanding RTD cocktails and cannabis drinks, plus some beverages made with unusual ingredients. Brands in this episode: American Highway Reserve, Honest Tea, Smithwick’s, Shaka Tea, Odwalla, Zico, Nantucket Nectars, Snapple, Evolution Fresh, Bolthouse Farms, Bang Energy, Monster, Red Bull, Rockstar Energy, SkinnyDipped, Tipsy Lady Cocktails, Madre Mezcal, Artet, Levia, Reveal Avocado Seed Brew, Frescos Naturales, Broc Shot, Doozy Pots, Honey Mama’s, Unique Belgique, Blissfully Better, Momofuku

Let’s say you have an innovative concept for a new brand, but your idea doesn’t fit within the established construct of the industry that you would be operating in. That was – and continues to be – a quandary for the co-founders of Empirical, a Copenhagen-based company that produces innovative spirits and, more recently, food. Launched in 2017 by Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen, both of whom previously held influential roles at world-renowned restaurant Noma, Empirical describes itself as “a flavor company” first and foremost. The goal is to identify and source sustainable, high quality – and often unusual – ingredients and turn them into delicious experiences. An example is Empirical’s “The Plum, I Suppose,” a clear spirit that, like all of the company’s beverages, is made with a base of koji, and flavored with the kernels found inside plum pits and distilled marigold kombucha.   While praised for their unique approach to distilling, Williams and Hermansen are often challenged by the traditions of an industry that historically inhibits, rather than rewards, innovation. Moreover, communicating the originality of Empirical’s production methods to retailers and consumers can sometimes be a tedious process. Regardless of obstacles, they remain committed to their vision and continue to build Empirical on their own terms, defining the path as they walk it. In an interview featured in this episode, Williams and Hermansen spoke about their remarkable work at Noma, their decision to leave the restaurant and start a distillery, flavor innovation as a means of stimulating memories and why transparency is the priority in marketing. Show notes: 0:46: Lars Williams & Mark Emil Hermansen, Co-Founders, Empirical – Taste Radio editor Ray Latif met with Williams and Hermansen at Empirical’s harbor-based distillery in Copenhagen where they discussed the beauty and liveliness of the city in springtime and growing beyond their reputations and careers at Noma. They also discussed the upcoming launch of a product designed for scale, why explaining how Empirical is different is one of the more challenging parts of their jobs, the complexities of a recent label revamp and why satellite distilleries are integral to Empirical’s next stage of development… and its P&L statement. Brands in this episode: Empirical