Taste Radio

For Marcus Samuelsson, finding the inspiration to cook new and interesting food is often as simple as opening the front door. Outside, the acclaimed chef, restaurateur and television personality sees a country brimming with vibrant cultures and, with it, an opportunity to learn from their cuisines. His perspective is rooted in the PBS TV series, “No Passport Required,” which Samuelsson hosts. An exploration of the diverse spectrum of immigrant cultures and food in America, the show takes viewers on a road trip across the U.S. Samuelsson’s travels have taken him down new paths of discovery, such as exploring the influence on the Arab-American community in Detroit or diving into the flavors and heritage of Miami’s Haitian community.. “What inspires me is people and the fact that we’re not that different,” Samuelsson said in an interview included in this episode. “We have rituals that may look different depending on where you are in the world, but we all want to have a great meal.” Samuelsson believes that embedded within any great meal is a foundation of sustainable ingredients and of fair wages for the farmers and workers that grow them. His stance has aligned him with product certifier Fair Trade USA, whose recent 20th anniversary celebration in New York City was the setting of our interview. Listen our full conversation with Samuelsson for a discussion about his work with the organization and his take on the most important factors driving change in the restaurant business, as well as the advice he has for newcomers to the food business -- including his younger self. Also included in this episode: a conversation with Fair Trade USA founder and CEO Paul Rice. On the anniversary of the organization’s two decades in existence, Rice discussed the origins of Fair Trade USA, how it has aligned with companies to generate over a half-billion dollars in additional income for farmers and workers and how it plans to effect change in a variety of industries over the next 20 years.   Show notes: 3:05: Interview: Marcus Samuelsson, Chef/Owner, Red Rooster Harlem; Host, “No Passport Required” -- Samuelsson is perhaps best recognized from his numerous appearances on foodie TV shows including “Top Chef Masters,” “Chopped,” and “The Taste.” Born in Ethiopia and raised in Sweden, he first caught the attention of the culinary world at the age of 24, and is known for infusing culture and art into his style of cooking. He’s the owner and head chef of the acclaimed Red Rooster Harlem in New York City along with several other restaurants across the world. Marcus is also a philanthropist, actively involved in UNICEF and a socially conscious entrepreneur, aligning himself with organizations like Fair Trade USA. BevNET’s Ray Latif met up with Samuelsson in New York City, at the celebration of Fair Trade USA’s 20th anniversary, where they spoke about his involvement and shared values with the non-profit. They also discussed the role that nature plays in his style of cooking, the inspiration behind his new TV show “No Passport Required,” which explores immigrant culture and cuisine in America, and the evolution of the U.S. restaurant business and his take on the role and impact of foodie journalism. 20:01: Interview: Paul Rice, Founder/CEO, Fair Trade USA -- It’s been 20 years since Rice dreamed up the idea of an organization that could certify and set standards for products that promote fair wages for coffee farmers and protect the environment. Fair Trade USA has since played an influential role in how companies across the food and beverage industry source ingredients and market their brands. BevNET’s Ray Latif sat down with Rice following the celebration of Fair Trade USA’s 20th anniversary for a wide-ranging interview that includes a discussion about the mission of the organization, why it takes the position of “trade not aid,” why there isn’t a single umbrella organization for fair trade certification and what he believes is the most impactful accomplishment of his career. Brands in this episode: Honest Tea, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Patagonia

While cold brew has been the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. coffee business in recent years, it’s just now starting to heat up across the pond. London-based Sandows is one of a handful of British coffee companies paving a path for cold brew in the U.K. and was first to market in the country, according to co-founder Hugh Duffie. Taking their cue from speciality coffee brands in the U.S., Duffie and co-founder Luke Suddards created a foundation for Sandows based on direct trade sourcing and ultra-high quality brewing. But Duffie and Suddards knew that the liquid was only one part of the equation. To elicit interest from U.K. consumers who are mostly still unaware of the concept of cold brew coffee, they developed distinctive branding and packaging that could, in Duffie’s words, “sell the product without people even needing to try it.” “We wanted people to get excited the way that we did when we would order these products from the U.S.,” Duffie said in an interview included in this episode. “We wanted to create something that felt true to our experience of that specialty coffee culture.” Hear more from Duffie in the following interview in which he discussed the impact Sandows’ package design has had on awareness and sales. He also spoke about the company’s efforts to expand the market for cold brew in the U.K., how it is educating British consumers about premium coffee and its product and innovation strategy. Show notes: 1:25: Keep It Elevated -- The hosts discussed the recent and abrupt shuttering of Pilotworks and riffed on recent office visits, sights and libations from BevNET CEO John Craven’s visit to London, and notable new products sent to BevNET HQ. Please note that after episode 5, Taste Radio Insider will only be available on a single feed. If you haven't already, subscribe today and don’t miss an episode. 18:22: Interview: Hugh Duffie, Co-Founder, Sandows -- In an interview recorded in London, BevNET CEO John Craven sat down with Duffie for wide-ranging interview that includes his background in the coffee business and what inspired him and co-founder Luke Suddards to launch Sandows. They also discussed the gradual development of coffee culture in the U.K. and how Sandows is positioning itself in the nascent space, the development of the brand’s packaging and name, and the reasoning behind the company’s wide range of products. Brands in this episode: 6AM Health, SpiritFruit, Belgian Boys, OHi Superfood Bars, Neimand Dry Gin, Splinter Group Spirits, Batisite Rhum, R.W. Garcia, Fritos, Sandows

BluePrint founders Zoë Sakoutis and Erica Huss admit they don’t drink as much juice as they used to. It may seem odd that the creators of BluePrint, which pioneered the packaged cold-pressed juice category and helped mainstream juice cleansing, have cut back on their consumption of fruit and vegetable blends. However, Sakoutis and Huss point out that since the launch of their brand in 2007, there’s been a dramatic increase in the amount of information that consumers have about nutrition and healthy foods. Cold-pressed juice and cleansing, which previously embodied the concept of nutrition for many consumers, are now just part of a larger conversation about wellness. “There are different ways to check that box now,” Sakoutis said in an interview included in this episode. “I think everyone is interested in the wellness space right now in a much larger way than they were. It was the spark of something and it was one of the few ways that people could engage. And now I think that there are simply more options, there are more ways to go about it.” That mindset is big reason behind the launch of Sakoutis and Huss’ latest venture, Highway to Well, a podcast focused on “the business of being well.” The show features entrepreneurs who operate in the health and wellness space and explores the trends, fads and triumphs of a rapidly evolving industry. Listen to our full-length conversation with Sakoutis and Huss, in which they shared BluePrint’s origin story, examine how the company navigated early wins and struggles, and how a voicemail left by former Starbucks chairman and CEO Howard Schultz factored into their decision to sell the company. They also reflect on learnings from their unsuccessful foray into the food space with Erzo, a brand of vitamin-infused biscuits, and explained how the podcast has provided a way to address some unfinished business. This episode is presented by Symrise Califormulations.   Show notes: 3:21: Interview: Zoë Sakoutis & Erica Huss, Founders, Blueprint -- As part of a wide-ranging interview recorded in New York City, BevNET Managing Editor Ray Latif spoke with Sakoutis and Huss about the launch of BluePrint and the early days of operating as a direct-to-consumer brand (Zipcars were key), how Tribeca moms ushered the brand’s debut in Whole Foods, the decision to incorporate high-pressure processing as a safety step, and BluePrint’s influential front of the label ingredient list. They also explain why Starbucks’ acquisition of Evolution Fresh accelerated BluePrint’s eventual sale to Hain Celestial and how their next venture, vitamin-enhanced food brand Erzo, was ahead of its time and folded the company prior to a chainwide activation at Target. Finally, they delve into why they got into the podcasting world with Highway to Well and their expectations for the show. Brands in this episode: BluePrint Organic, Suja, Erzo

Jon Sebastiani, the founder of Krave Jerky and Sonoma Brands, might want to invest in your company. Just make sure that you’re not chasing the latest hot trend. He’s really not into that. Sebastiani founded Sonoma Brands, a unique consumer product incubator and private equity firm, in 2015 following the sale of Krave Jerky to The Hershey Co. for $240 million. Earlier this year, Sonoma Brands launched a new $60 million fund and has in recent months deployed the capital to expand its holdings. The portfolio includes a mix of internally developed concepts, such as Smashmallow, Zupa Noma and Peckish, along with investments in high-growth brands like Guayaki, Dang Foods and, most recently, Vintage Wine Estates. In a conversation included in this episode, Sebastiani explained how Sonoma Brands eschews bleeding-edge concepts and trends in favor of opportunities to disrupt established categories through innovation and investment. “When you look at the line of products that we’ve created, including Krave, most of them aren’t highly complicated,” he said. “When you find that right sector or category and design a brand against it, it can become very obvious and generally we look at the size of the addressable market in a way to show true scalability. I don’t want to build a brand that can only live in natural/speciality [retailers].” Also, included in this episode: BevNET’s Ray Latif, Marty Caballero and Jon Landis discussed beverage-related news, trends and innovation in the convenience store channel as viewed at the recently completed 2018 NACS show. Show notes: 1:47: We’ve Got a Knack for NACS -- The hosts chat about news and new products in notable beverage categories, including coffee, bottled water, and kombucha, as seen through the lens of the 2018 NACS show, held Oct. 8-10 in Las Vegas. 14:41: Interview: Jon Sebastiani, Founder, Krave/Sonoma Brands -- In an interview recorded at Natural Products Expo East 2018, Sebastiani sat down with BevNET Managing Editor Ray Latif to discuss the business and investment strategy of Sonoma Brands, how the company’s portfolio is nurtured as a unit, how he’s promoting the Sonoma region as a hub for innovative brands and why he’s back in the wine business after vowing never to return. Brands in this episode: Forto Coffee, High Brew Coffee, Starbucks, La Colombe, Califia Farms, Coca-Cola, Far Coast Coffee, Illy Coffee, Dunkin, McCafe, SmartWater, Essentia, Core Hydration, San Pellegrino, Perrier, Topo Chico, Jarritos, Eternal Water, Qure Water, Sparkling Ice, Avitae, Water Joe, Nestle Waters, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Wonder Drink Kombucha, Koe Kombucha, GT’s Kombucha, Buchi, Peet’s, Revive Kombucha, KeVita, PepsiCo, White Castle, Impossible Foods, Krispy Kreme, Chester’s Chicken, Pixotine, Krave Jerky, Smashmallow, Zupa Noma, Jack Link’s, Oberto, Slim Jim, Chobani, Clif Bar, Peckish, Guayaki, Dang Foods, Hu Chocolate, Vintage Wine Estates

It’s hard to overestimate the impact that Patty Spence, the founder of market research firm SPINS and CEO of stevia-sweetened beverage brand Zevia, has had on the natural food industry. With SPINS, Spence transformed the way that natural product sales data is tracked and aggregated and in doing so created a powerful resource for a fast-growing industry. After departing SPINS, Spence became the CEO of Zevia, a company that he acquired in 2010, and has since played a key role in stevia’s development as a leading natural and zero-calorie alternative to sugar. The sweetener is central to the formulation of Zevia, which is expected to pull in over $200 million in sales this year. In a conversation included in this episode, Spence remarked on the success of both SPINS and Zevia and pointed to a passion for continuous improvement as key to his business philosophy. “We never think we’re at the end point,” he said. “It’s about being one percent better each day, each week than we were before.” Hear more from our conversation with Spence, in which he extolled the importance of marrying personal insights and passion with quantitative data, his perspective on work-life balance and whether a multi-billion dollar exit is imminent for Zevia. Show notes: 2:35: Interview: Paddy Spence, CEO, Zevia & Founder, SPINS -- In this interview, recorded via weblink, Spence spoke to BevNET Managing Editor Ray Latif from Zevia headquarters in Encino, Calif. Spence discussed the origins of his career and what motivated him to launch SPINS, how a decision to cut sugar out of his diet led him to  Zevia, why he believes that in the future “sugar is going to be used -- as it should be -- as a condiment, as a drug,” why all Zevia employees are offered stock in the company, and why Spence believes that it’s critical to be home for dinner every night. Brands in this episode: Kashi, Oregon Chai, Zevia

Matt McLean, founder and titular figure of organic beverage company Uncle Matt‘s, is fond of saying that orange juice is ounce-for-ounce the most nutritious beverage on the market. He might be a little biased; after all, orange juice is the brand’s flagship line. There are, however, a few qualifiers to his promotion of orange juice, notably organic sourcing and high quality standards, each of which are rooted in Uncle Matt’s business philosophy. “We want to be consistently great at everything we do,” he said in an interview included in this episode. “We don’t skimp. We don’t cut corners.” Listen to our conversation with McLean in which explains how the company’s commitment to premium sourcing and production has elicited a loyal following, particularly among natural channel consumers. He also discussed efforts to expand brand offerings and evolve its portfolio to reflect consumer interest in fast growing categories, including energy drinks and kombucha. Also in this episode: BevNET editor-in-chief Jeff Klineman offered insight and perspective into Keurig Dr Pepper’s (KDP) $525 million acquisition of Core Nutrition. Show notes: 1:59: Cann You Make This Conference? -- The hosts discussed BevNET and NOSH’s Cannabis Forum, a half-day session that will explore the emerging cannabis market and how it could impact food and beverages business. 11:45: Interview: Matt McLean, Founder, Uncle Matt’s --  BevNET’s Ray Latif sat down with McLean at Natural Products Expo East 2018, where he discussed the origins of Uncle Matt’s and why he launched the business, how the company cultivates consumer evangelists for the brand, the thought process for entering new beverage categories, and the decision to sell the company to Dean Foods last year. 31:35: Analysis: KDP Acquires Core for $525 Million -- BevNET’s Jeff Klineman breaks down the blockbuster deal, including the timing of the acquisition, why Core was attractive target for KDP, what it means for other KDP’s allied brands, and the impact on Essentia, which is rumored to be for sale. Brands in this episode: Regrained, Predator Endurance, Uncle Matt’s, Mountain Dew, Core Hydration, Fuze, BodyArmor, Fiji Water, Forto, Essentia

No matter what you’re hired to do at Health Warrior, your first assignment is always the same. The company, which makes plant-based snacks and foods, including a flagship line of chia bars, makes all of its new employees build their own desks, without any building materials or instructions. According to co-founder and CEO Shane Emmett, the DIY activity is designed to instill an entrepreneurial mindset from day one. “A start-up is hard,” Emmett said in an interview featured in this episode. “You have to do everything yourself. You have to build the systems while you’re growing the business. [Building your own desk] is a metaphor for the fact that no one’s going to do anything for you.” Since launching in 2011, Health Warrior has become one of fastest growing natural food companies in the U.S., built on a roll-up-your-sleeves approach that permeates every aspect of the company, including sampling events. In addition to desk-building, all employees, including executives, are asked to participate in sampling demos, which Emmett believes teaches them “more about the brand and product than doing anything else.” “You get to have hundreds of conversations with real people that don’t care that you used to be an investment banker… and will tell you exactly what they think of your product,” he said. Listen to our full-length interview with Emmett, who discussed his decision to leave behind a promising career in law and start a food brand, how the company has cultivated and enhanced its relationship with Amazon, why trusting your gut over syndicated data can lead to better decisions, and what he says has been the biggest surprise since the company was founded. Show notes: 1:23: Survey Says! -- Since launching the podcast in April 2016, we’ve heard from many listeners who’ve responded to our call for questions, comments and ideas for future episodes. Thank you to all who’ve reached out -- it’s been a tremendous help to us. And as Taste Radio continues to evolve, we’d like to ask for a little more assistance. We’ve created a short survey that asks listeners a little about themselves and their podcast listening habits. The results of the survey will help us better understand our audience and how to craft new and interesting content. Please take 2-3 minutes to complete it and once you do, you’ll be eligible to win a $25 gift card. 3:17: Interview: Shane Emmett, Co-Founder/CEO, Health Warrior -- In an interview recorded tat Natural Products Expo East 2018, Emmett explained how Health Warrior’s rapid rise was fueled by an early focus on direct-to-consumer sales, a media spotlight on ancient ingredients and serendipitous partnerships, including those with several NFL players and teams. He also discussed how the company’s relationship with its key retail partners, Amazon and Whole Foods has evolved, and how Health Warrior incorporates social mission into its business strategy. Brands in this episode: Health Warrior

It would be fair to say that things are going well for Country Archer. But it wasn’t always that way. A maker of clean-label meat snacks, the brand’s flagship jerky line is the fastest growing in its category among natural retailers, and the company recently announced $10 million in new funding from its primary investor, Monogram Capital. Nevertheless, not too long ago, Country Archer faced rejection in the very retail channel in which it’s now the fastest growing; in fact, it had been written off as a “convenience store” product. Yet, tenacity, innovation and a little bit of luck go a long way. We spoke with Country Archer co-founder and CEO Eugene Kang about the brand’s development and growth through those tough earlier days, and how it stayed competitive amid the craze for Krave Jerky. We also discussed the incredible story behind Country Archer’s partnership with iconic Sriracha brand Huy Fong Foods and how it became a gamechanger for the company. Also in this episode: a conversation with BevNET assistant editor Marty Caballero on beverage-related trends and innovation from the recently held Natural Products Expo East 2018. Show notes: 2:02: Back On Top -- The hosts discussed the creation and launch of Taste Radio Insider, a show specifically focused on news, trends and insights in the food and beverage industries. They also chat about recent visits to BevNET HQ, including representatives from Rocket Fuel, Smart Cups and BRWD. 15:20: Interview: Eugene Kang, Co-Founder/CEO, Country Archer -- In this interview, recorded at Natural Products Expo East 2018, Kang spoke with BevNET CMO Mike Schneider about the origins of Country Archer and why he wanted the brand to be the “Sam Adams of jerky,” how the company approached a competitive environment for jerky, particularly during the development of Krave, and how its partnership with Huy Fong Sriracha became a major turning point for the brand and helped it to break into the natural channel. 34:49: Beverage Trendspotting at Expo East 2018 -- BevNET’s Ray Latif and Marty Caballero hash out some of the most notable drink trends from the annual trade show, including an uptick in carbonated teas and coffee, the infusion of plant-based milk into cold-brew products and a relatively quiet show for kombucha. Brands in this episode: Rocket Fuel Coffee Milk, Smart Cups, BRWD Energy Drink, Jose Gourmet, Country Archer, Krave, Sound Tea, Teavana, Bhakti, Cham Cold Brew, La Colombe, Chameleon Cold-Brew, Rise Brewing Co., Koia, Remedy Organics, Brew Dr. Kombucha, Humm Kombucha

It may be hard to imagine, especially for millennials and Gen-Zers out there, but there was a time in the not-so-distant past when organic food, sustainable sourcing and fair trade were uncommon sights in the food and beverage industry. Yet, thanks to innovative entrepreneurs like Marci Zaroff, these concepts have now reached the mainstream. Zaroff has been at the forefront of progressive food and lifestyle trends for nearly three decades. She’s a serial entrepreneur who pioneered eco-friendly fashion wear and textiles with Under the Canopy and Metawear and is currently the CMO and co-founder of plant-based seafood brand Good Catch. In this episode, Zaroff spoke about the origins of her career and why she’s urging companies to incorporate ethical sourcing and sustainability into their brand strategies. “The products we’re creating are about no compromise,” Zaroff said. “The sustainability, the fair trade, the ethically made -- these are value adds. So that it’s not ‘why would you buy this, or why would you eat this, or why would you use this?’ It’s ‘why wouldn’t you?’ It’s about getting more, not giving something up. And I think that’s the big point of difference.” Listen to the full interview with Zaroff, in which she described entrepreneurship as a “perpetual yo-yo,” discussed the importance of vetting investors and shared her take on the budding business of cannabis. Show notes: 1:27: We’re Evolving! -- BevNET is proud to announce the launch of Taste Radio Insider, a show specifically focused on news, trends and insights in the business of food and beverage. We’ll continue to feature long-form interviews with the industry’s tastemakers and pioneers in our flagship Taste Radio podcast. Meanwhile, Taste Radio Insider will include interviews with the industry’s movers and shakers and feature discussion on emerging trends, innovation and news of the week from our regular cadre of hosts including John Craven, John Landis, Carol Ortenberg, and others on the BevNET team. We launch Taste Radio Insider on Friday, Sept. 28 and the show will be available for streaming and download on tasteradio.com, iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play and Soundcloud. 3:06: Interview: Marci Zaroff, Founder, MetaWear/Good Catch -- Since cutting her teeth in the food business nearly 30 years ago, Zaroff has played an influential role in the business of ethically sourced consumer products and food. In our interview, recorded at Natural Products Expo East 2018, she explained what it means to be a “post-modern organic” entrepreneur and takes us through the early years of her career from her work with The Institute for Integrative Nutrition to the launch of her first business, eco-friendly lifestyle brand Under The Canopy. She also discussed her decision to leave Under The Canopy and explained why it was “the most liberating and bittersweet day” of her life and what it taught her about vetting investors. Zaroff also discussed why embedding sustainability and organic sourcing into new CPG brands is “about not being left behind,” how to approach consumer education when pioneering a new business concept and offered her perspective on the future of cannabis-infused foods and beverages. Brands in this episode: Good Catch Foods

According to the Oxford English dictionary, a Renaissance man is defined as “a person with many talents or areas of knowledge.” It’s an apt description for Ben Branson, the founder and CEO of Seedlip, an innovative brand of non-alcoholic distilled spirits. A branding and design specialist by trade, Branson’s passion for botany, history and alchemy led him to distillation, a craft in which he’s become a self-taught expert. What began as a hobby has since transformed into Seedlip, a highly publicized and sought after brand that in just three years since launch is now carried by hundreds of the world’s top restaurants, bars and retailers in over 20 countries. In addressing the dilemma of “what to drink when you’re not drinking,” Seedlip is aiming to give mixologists a new tool to create unique and sophisticated non-alcoholic drinking experiences. In an interview included in this episode, Branson spoke about his vision for a non-alcoholic spirit and how he’s managed the rapid growth and development of Seedlip. Show notes: 2:36: Interview: Ben Branson, Founder/CEO, Seedlip -- In an interview recorded by weblink, Branson spoke with BevNET Managing Editor Ray Latif about the origins of Seedlip and how he identified an opportunity to innovate in the multi-billion dollar spirits industry. Branson discussed how he bridged the gap from a passion project to a brand, the story of how Seedlip's first sale led to an invite to Buckingham Palace, how the brand elicits trial and awareness through design and storytelling, Branson’s 10-second sales pitch for Seedlip, and what he drinks when he is drinking alcohol. 34:50: Expo-sure in Baltimore -- The hosts convene in the Taste Radio studio for a debrief on the recently held Natural Products Expo East 2018. They discuss the impact of Hurricane Florence on attendance at the annual event, exhibitor reaction to the show and notable food trends on display at Expo East, including a continued uptick in new jerky and dried fruit brands coming to market. Brands in this episode: Seedlip, Mother Kombucha, Tribucha, Country Archer, RIND Snacks, Sky Valley Foods, Lavva, Stryve, Ayoba-Yo, Brooklyn Biltong, Fishpeople, Peckish