Clearly, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” is an adage that doesn’t apply to TCHO Chocolate. Launched in 2005, the Berkeley, Calif.-based company has been at the forefront of chocolate innovation by emphasizing sustainable and ethical sourcing as a key metric of quality. Over the years, TCHO has developed a cachet that is rare among consumer brands, winning awards for its commitment to sourcing standards, flavors and package design. Given its standing and success, why did the company recently i...
Apr 12, 2022•43 min
In this episode, Taste Radio’s hosts discussed new products in several food and beverage categories, including a nootropic-boosted hydration drink brand launched by an NFL star and NFT icon, a nostalgia-inspiring cinnamon spread, RTD milk teas and spiked tonics, artisanal and low-sugar sweets and perhaps the best-tasting tortillas on the market. They also riffed on recent work travel, this weekend’s Specialty Coffee Association trade show and a major funding round for a platform brand of experim...
Apr 08, 2022•32 min
Grocery ecommerce is booming. Amid a pandemic-fueled shift in consumer shopping behavior, the industry has grown to $122 billion in annual sales, according to research firm eMarketer. Over the past two years, dozens of grocery delivery startups have entered the market while existing services, including California-centric retailer Good Eggs, have expanded operations. As grocery delivery platforms jostle for market share and attempt to differentiate themselves, Good Eggs has focused on high standa...
Apr 05, 2022•39 min
This week, we explored the ideation, business plans and growth strategies of three innovative and on-trend brands in conversations with Susan Buckwalter, the co-founder and CEO of ginger-powered wellness brand Recoup; Dr. Juan Salinas, the founder and CEO of P-nuff Crunch, a brand of nutritious baked peanut puffs; and Michelle Razavi and Nikki Elliott, the co-founders of functional, decadent snack brand ELAVI. Show notes: 1:02: Interview: Susan Buckwalter, Co-Founder/CEO, Recoup – Taste Radio ed...
Mar 29, 2022•1 hr 13 min
Our latest episode features interviews with two innovators in their respective industries: Stephen Caldwell, the co-founder of Swiss Rosti, a unique brand of stuffed potato and cheese bites; and Brent Elliott, the master distiller of acclaimed bourbon brand Four Roses. The Taste Radio team also discussed notable brands from the 2022 Seafood Expo, weekly Web3 primers on Twitter Spaces and a sophisticated smoker. Show notes: 0:55: Expo, Expo, Expo! Craven Chats, Toodaloo & Clio. And, Of Course...
Mar 25, 2022•1 hr 11 min
When Sandro Roco launched Asian-inspired sparkling water brand Sanzo in 2019, the naysayers had plenty to say: “This is a niche idea. It’s not a scalable brand. The products won’t resonate among mainstream consumers.” Three years and multiple retail, marketing and funding wins later, however, those comments are becoming increasingly rare. A brand that aligns growing consumer interest in clean ingredient beverages and that of Asian culture and cuisine, Sanzo’s zero-calorie and zero-sugar seltzers...
Mar 22, 2022•49 min
He’s a football legend who won three Super Bowls while playing for one of the world’s most storied sports franchises and is currently one of the NFL’s most recognized broadcasters. Yet Troy Aikman believes his fame won’t be the decisive factor if his new beer brand is to succeed. Aikman is the co-founder of Eight Beer, a new low-calorie beer brand designed for active consumers. Brewed with organic grains, Eight is formulated with no adjuncts or sugars and contains 90 calories and 2.6 grams of ca...
Mar 15, 2022•38 min
On the ground in Anaheim for Natural Products Expo West 2022, the Taste Radio team reflected on a pulsating first day at the annual trade show, which returned live for the first time since 2019. They also commented on notable brands and products exhibited in the event’s bustling North Hall and Fresh Ideas Organic Marketplace Tent, including innovative plant-based, probiotic and savory sips and snacks. Show notes: 0:25: We Have A TikTok House. It’s Really Bacon, Right? Yes, There’s A Drinkable Ki...
Mar 11, 2022•22 min
Shire City Herbals was in need of a reset. Founded in 2011, Shire City Herbals is a maker of wellness tonics and best known for its flagship fire cider. Despite building a loyal customer base and broad retail footprint, Shire City seemed to be regressing in recent years. Between a costly and headline-grabbing lawsuit and a disorganized retail strategy, Shire City was mired in missteps and missing opportunities to grow. Kim Allardyce, who had joined the company in 2017, was well aware of the prob...
Mar 08, 2022•53 min
When it came to bagels, Aimee Yang felt like she only had two unappealing options. Yang explained that if she were to eat a bagel, she’d rue having consumed a food loaded with calories and refined carbohydrates. If not, she’d be upset at having to pass on one of her favorite things to eat. What if, she pondered, it were possible to create a bagel with traditional taste and texture but that contained significantly less carbohydrates, sugar and calories? Finding the answer would cost $1 million an...
Mar 01, 2022•33 min
Following a two-week period that saw five beverage brands collectively add nearly $60 million in new funding, BevNET reporter Brad Avery joined the Taste Radio team for a discussion about each deal and how the companies are planning to deploy the capital. They also spoke about the increasing prevalence of food and beverage conglomerates internally developing on-trend concepts while taking branding and design cues from entrepreneurial companies. And with the launch of Expo West 2022 just 10 days ...
Feb 25, 2022•31 min
“Give customers what they want” is a simple, yet often overlooked, business maxim. For Joe Wagner, the founder of Copper Cane Wines & Provisions, it’s the cornerstone of a business philosophy that has made him one of the most successful wine entrepreneurs in history. A fifth generation winemaker with a passion for Pinot noir, Wagner introduced his first brand, Belle Glos, over two decades ago. Wagner developed Belle Glos while eschewing traditional growing techniques and winemaking processes...
Feb 22, 2022•41 min
When Kat Cole was appointed president and COO of fast-growing wellness brand Athletic Greens in December, the company highlighted her role in reviving and, in some ways, revolutionizing Cinnabon. Yes, that Cinnabon, which Cole led for several years before taking the reins of parent company Focus Brands, a multinational owner and operator of several fast-casual restaurants chains including Auntie Anne’s, Moe’s Southwest Grill and Jamba Juice. On the surface, it might have been surprising to some ...
Feb 15, 2022•1 hr 2 min
The Taste Radio team discussed a range of current topics including the implications of a groundbreaking countertop appliance that, according to the manufacturer, will be able to create a near-infinite number of beverage types at the push of a button; how Expo West exhibitors can amplify their presence at the show via BevNET and NOSH; and whether a YouTube megastar can leverage his online fame to sell chocolate bars IRL. They also spoke about a major funding deal for a fast-growing drink brand, a...
Feb 11, 2022•22 min
Ghia, a pioneering brand of non-alcoholic cocktails, takes its name from an Italian car designer who wanted his vehicles to convey the sophistication of a Ferrari while being as accessible as Fiat. It’s not surprising that the beverage brand’s aesthetic and business strategy are similar in nature. Founded by former Glossier executive Mélanie Masarin, Ghia aligns three fast-growing beverage trends: premium ingredients, ready-to-drink cocktails and alcohol-free alternatives. Inspired by Mediterran...
Feb 08, 2022•47 min
Adam Bremen embodies the belief that “anything that’s worth doing is tough.” Born with cerebral palsy, Bremen has used an electric wheelchair his entire life. His focus, however, has never been about the limitation of his physical abilities. Rather, Adam’s mantra has always been “It’s about what you can do, not what you can't.” After 15 years in sales at financial services company Charles Schwab, Bremen launched CanDo, a company with a stated mission “to inspire and empower everyone to live a he...
Feb 01, 2022•44 min
On the heels of the Coca-Cola Co.’s latest foray into alcoholic beverages, the Taste Radio team discussed the potential for Simply Spiked and assessed the mission and mechanics of a new industry group focused on promoting low-sugar, better-for-you CPG brands. They also reviewed major investment deals in the meat stick and hard kombucha categories and riffed on new and notable products, including a line of non-alcoholic aperitifs launched by musician Katy Perry. Show notes: 0:37: Deja Vu. Snap In...
Jan 28, 2022•24 min
Manna Tree Partners, a private equity firm based in Vail, Colorado, describes itself as believing that “the future of health, well-being, and longevity is attainable through innovation in food.” The firm’s role in that vision? Invest in companies whose products are intended to make people feel and live better. Since its launch in 2018, Manna Tree has made mid-stage investments in 10 companies, including pasture-raised egg brand Vital Farms, indoor greenhouse pioneer Gotham Greens, organic kombuc...
Jan 25, 2022•48 min
Carlton Fowler is back for another round. The co-founder and managing partner of Goat Rodeo Capital, a venture capital firm that holds stakes in several fast-growing beverage alcohol, non-alcoholic drink and premium snack brands first joined us for an interview in October 2020 . Fowler’s return to Taste Radio this week follows the recent launch of Goat Rodeo’s second fund, from which the firm has made investments in hop-centric beverage company HopLark and premium canister snack brand The Good C...
Jan 18, 2022•54 min
Taste Radio’s hosts reflected upon last week’s highly publicized deal between the Coca-Cola Co. and Constellation Brands in which the soda and spirit giants collaborated on a new Fresca branded RTD cocktail line, as well as other headlines from the past week, including a legacy beer company’s dip into a growing pool of hop-centric drinks and news of Liquid Death’s colossal funding round. They also discussed a flaming hot line extension for a not-so-NOSHy snack brand, why this month could be desc...
Jan 14, 2022•31 min
If you’re not familiar with jackfruit, you’re not alone. The fruit, while long valued by the vegan community for its sinuous meat-like texture, is relatively unknown among Americans. Annie Ryu, the founder and CEO of The Jackfruit Company and sister brand Jack & Annie’s, is aiming to change that. Over the past decade, Ryu built the largest global supply chain for jackfruit, also referred to as “jack,” a high-yield yet underutilized crop that grows in warm and tropical climates. Amid a growin...
Jan 11, 2022•35 min
Todd Carmichael wants to add a bit more sparkle to your water. But not the kind you’re used to. Nearly three decades after he co-founded pioneering third-wave coffee brand La Colombe, Carmichael is once again breaking new ground with the launch of innovative “shimmering water” brand Loftiwater. Launched in December, Loftiwater debuted a few weeks after Carmichael stepped down as CEO of La Colombe. In the months leading up to and following his departure, Carmichael, a serial innovator, spent doze...
Jan 04, 2022•56 min
In Taste Radio’s final episode of 2021, the hosts spoke about why entrepreneurs launching new and innovative concepts need to consider the addressable market for their brands and products in 2022. They also discussed the news that a high-profile kombucha company has leapt into the growing pool of probiotic sodas, a fast-growing snack brand’s recent raise and a number of notable products that crossed their desks over the past week. Show notes: 0:37: Seltzers, Snacks And Scoops – The episode hosts...
Dec 31, 2021•24 min
This special edition of the podcast features highlights from interviews with six founders, creators and innovators who joined us on the show during the second half of 2021. Our guests include award-winning television host, chef and writer Andew Zimmern; Vanessa Pham, the co-founder and CEO of Omsom; Erewhon chief growth officer Kabir Jain; Catherine Dockery the founder of Vice Ventures; Foxtrot Market co-founder and CEO Mike LaVitola; and Danielle LiVolsi, the founder and CEO of Nuttzo. Show not...
Dec 28, 2021•44 min
Years ago, Taco Bell implored people to “make a run for the border.” It’s a slogan that probably irked Hector Saldivar, a Mexican born entrepreneur who views fast food tacos and burritos as poor representations of his country’s cuisine and culture. Moreover, he believes that menu items like those at Taco Bell have misled generations of Americans into thinking that Mexican food is cheap, greasy and lacking in nutritional value. It’s one of the reasons that Salitivar launched Tia Lupita, a brand r...
Dec 21, 2021•41 min
Back at the BevNET HQ and WCB (West Coast Branch) offices, Taste Radio’s hosts reflected on the nine-day, three-event, four-competition extravaganza that was Brewbound Live, NOSH Live and BevNET Live. As part of their conversation, the hosts discussed the value of in-person networking, connecting with entrepreneurs for the first time after two years of virtual meetings and why some attendees were surprised by Ray’s height. Later, the hosts chatted about the decision of a well-known entrepreneur ...
Dec 17, 2021•21 min
An early-stage investment in Sweetgreen helped set the table. Now, Maxine Kozler Koven is focused on funding companies whose brands will complete the meals of future generations. Koven is the co-founder and co-managing partner of LDR Ventures & Consulting, a female-led, California-based venture capital and management consulting firm. LDR invests in and advises consumer brands, technology and service companies at the seed and Series A level. In addition to Sweetgreen, the firm’s portfolio inc...
Dec 14, 2021•51 min
He’s one of the most successful brand creators in the wine and spirits industry, but, until recently, Brett Berish avoided the limelight. Twenty-two years ago, Berish, whose family has long ties to the spirits business, launched Sovereign Brands, a brand development company that’s responsible for the massively successful super-premium Champagne label, Ace of Spades, and premium cognac D’usse. Hip-hop icon Jay-Z acquired the former in 2014 and also bought a stake in D’usse, which is now co-owned ...
Dec 07, 2021•37 min
Over the course of 22 seasons hosting his “Bizarre Foods” television series, Andrew Zimmern ingested salted tuna sperm, dung beetle and cow urine, among hundreds of other peculiar delicacies. While a certain amount of shock value helped draw millions of viewers to the show, at its core Bizarre Foods was an exploration in how people of different cultures gather, eat and drink. It’s a theme that extends to his latest series “Family Dinner,” in which Zimmern breaks bread with families across the U....
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 2 min
On the cusp of our Winter 2021 events, Taste Radio’s hosts discussed the speaker agendas for NOSH Live and BevNET Live, which include retail executives from Erewhon, Whole Foods, Foxtrot and Earth Fare, along with founders of several high-profile brands, such as Fly By Jing, Dreampops and Super Coffee. They also highlighted notable new brands and products, including wellness shots, vegan snacks, an innovative “shimmering sparkling water” and the largest peanut butter cup in the world. This episo...
Nov 26, 2021•47 min
