The Spoon Podcast

Investing in startups that make products to-consumers can be tough, but it's also exciting. Mike talks with long-time investor Elizabeth Edwards about why she invests exclusively on consumer brands and why food is one of her favorite categories. via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Michael Wolf sits down with Riana Lynn to talk about her journey as a black female food tech entrepreneur. From working in the Obama White House to Don Thompson's Cleveland Avenue to starting her latest venture that uses AI to help CPG companies make healthier and more sustainable food products, Riana's had a fascinating journey. Mike talks to her about this journey, how she thinks food tech could help address some of the systemic racial inequities within the broader food system, how food tech could be more welcoming to people of color, and whether she's hopeful about the possibility of positive change resulting from today's current conversation around race in the United States. via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week the Spoon editors got together to talk about some of the biggest stories of the week, including: -CookMagic, a textbot based recipe assistant -Can Pico-roasting help coffee shops survive the pandemic? -The all-but-certain end of PicoBrew -The Yo-Kai meal kit: Robot maker goes meal kit provider via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With most places still in lockdown, many restaurants are trying to survive by going off-premise through a combination of delivery and takeout. The Spoon's Chris Albrecht caught up with Chowly's Sterling Douglass to talk about what he's seeing out there in what is a rapidly changed restaurant landscape and to discuss strategies for going off-premise. This conversation took place as part of The Spoon's COVID-19 Virtual Strategy Summit. If you missed the summit and would like to see some of what you missed, all the sessions are now available to watch here: https://thespoon.tech/covid-19-strategy-summit-for-food-session-videos/ via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Spoon editors got together to talk about some of the stories of people and companies stepping up to the plate during a dark time or well positioned to take advantage of rapidly changing consumer behavior. As always, you can find more Spoon podcasts and our stories at www.thespoon.tech via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From his time as director of culinary research for three Michelin star restaurant Alinea to creating video game themed dinner nights at his own Seattle based restaurant "incubator" Addo, Chef Eric Rivera has a reputation for being innovative. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, those innovation skills have become survival skills as Rivera helps his restaurant group traverse our rapidly changing new shared reality. Michael Wolf caught up with Rivera to discuss the ways in which his business is adapting with the mandatory shut down of restaurants in Washington state during COVID-19, including launching his own delivery service, his Addo Pantry and remote cooking classes. You can find Eric on Instagram at www.instagram.com/ericriveracooks via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're all sheltering in place, locked down and trying to keep on top of the impact of this global contagion on the world of food tech. We talk about mandatory restaurant shut downs, restaurants and food businesses trying to pivot during COVID and the challenges of writing about food tech during a global pandemic. We want to hear your stories. If you have any unique stories from your place in the world that intersects with food tech, food innovation or just something you think should be heard, reach out via tips@thespoon.tech. Stay safe everyone! via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a confusing and worrying time, so join some of your friends from the Spoon as we talk food tech for a half an hour. On today's podcast, we talk cover the following stories: -Is coronavirus accelerating adoption of certain food tech sectors? -Amazon is selling its next-gen grocery tech to other companies -Sweetgreen looks to make its to-go bowls fully compostable -There is another pizza vending machine and they've raised an eye-popping $10 million As always, you can find more podcasts at www.thespoon.tech via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back for an editor podcast. This week Mike, Chris and Catherine discuss the following stories: -How the coronavirus is impacting the world of tech, including the Housewares show -Starbucks and McDonalds push waste free cups in San Francisco -A cup that lets you create fizzy water on the go -Another plant based burger, this time from industrial food giant Cargill For more podcasts, visit www.thespoon.tech via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Spoon editor pod! Mike, Jenn, Chris and Catherine got together to discuss some of the stories of the week, including: -PicoBrew is up for sale. What happened? -In a related story, PicoBrew also has technology that can "age" spirits overnight. Is this a game changer for the distilling industry? -Coranavirus is impacting nearly every aspect of the economy. How is it going to impact the world food and food delivery? -The owner of Tim Horton's and Burger King is investing heavily in personalization. How will that change the consumer experience in the restaurant? As always, listen to more podcasts at The Spoon: www.thespoon.tech via Knit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices