Kaveh Zamanian is a cool customer. The founder of Rabbit Hole Distillery, Kaveh’s relaxed personality is immediately apparent. That’s not to say that he hasn’t felt the anxiety and strain of building a brand. As he tells it, Kaveh had spent many nights on his knees “praying to whoever would listen” that his vision for Rabbit Hole would come to fruition. A former clinical psychologist, Kaveh launched Rabbit Hole in 2012. The distillery’s name is derived from Kaveh’s “passionate descent into the p...
Sep 17, 2024•43 min
It’s another drag for canna-brands. The hosts discuss an emergency regulation in California that would remove food and beverage brands containing hemp-derived THC from stores in the state. They also wonder about the runway for a trendy flavor and highlight several new and unusual products. Show notes: 0:25: Wine Under A Bridge. London Via San Diego. Explosive Ranch. Is It 1991? Dumplings & Drinks. – We get a debrief from John on his adventures in Copenhagen including sipping natural wine in ...
Sep 13, 2024•41 min
At one point during our conversation with Four Sigmatic founder and CEO Tero Isokauppila, he recounts a story about playing golf with the CEO of a large and well-known U.S. retailer. The executive told Tero that Four Sigmatic wouldn’t be successful because of its esoteric brand name. It’s fair to say that the CEO underestimated the trailblazing company. Founded in 2012, Four Sigmatic pioneered the now thriving category of mushroom-centric food and beverages. The brand markets a platform of organ...
Sep 10, 2024•48 min
Was Newtopia Now worth a visit? Why are founders flocking to San Diego? Is “Side Hustlers” the new “Shark Tank”? What’s going on with instant noodles? And, is drinking pastrami a real thing? All good questions. The hosts have answers. Show notes: 0:25: Naked + Famous. Sippin’ In The CPH. Newtopia FOMO. Meet Up. Reese W. Instant Debate. Deli Drink. – Ray and Mike are back after a two-week hiatus and both praise Jacqui on her hosting skills during their absence. Ray chats about Craven’s Scandinavi...
Sep 06, 2024•27 min
He may be nicknamed “The Beverage Whisperer,” but when Ken Sadowsky speaks he’s heard loud and clear. A longtime industry advisor and investor, Ken is one of the most respected and influential voices in the beverage business. Ken is currently the executive director of The Northeastern Independent Distributors Association, known as NIDA, a group of wholesalers that operate in states from Maine to Pennsylvania. He’s also a senior advisor with Verlivest, the Belgium-based investment holding company...
Sep 03, 2024•58 min
A recent Linkedin post penned by an executive of online distribution platform Pod Foods ignited a passionate discussion about the limited routes to market for emerging brands and whether things might be changing for the better… or worse. Taste Radio’s hosts have their say on the matter. Show notes: 0:35: JacquIC. Mayor Melissa. Peter’s Post. Call Her Sir. Church Beer. Hydrate, Then Hike. – Jacqui takes over primary hosting duties while Ray is OOO, and does a damn good job of it. Melissa has a ne...
Aug 30, 2024•26 min
Straight talk can be hard to come by. Speak with Taylor Foxman, however, and the veteran beverage executive and industry advisor will give you the unvarnished truth, or, as she does in this episode, declare something an outright falsehood. Taylor has over a decade of experience in beverage alcohol and beyond, having worked for globally recognized wine, beer and spirit companies including Pernod Ricard and Gruppo Campari. She’s currently the founder and CEO of The Industry Collective, a leading b...
Aug 27, 2024•33 min
The hosts welcome NOSH managing editor Monica Watrous to the show as they discuss Mars’ $36 billion acquisition of Kellanova, including key takeaways from the deal, its impact on the food industry and why it may spur a flow of M&A activity among entrepreneurial companies. Show notes: 0:35: Ripple Effect. Bread Certified. Yu Try That New Brew? Cold Kelce. Meet Tha Kids. – Ray and Mike are OOO, so no soccer banter, but Monica is here to share the deets on a couple new episodes of CPG Week and ...
Aug 23, 2024•23 min
It’s not a stretch to say that Olipop has altered the beverage landscape. Co-founded by industry veterans Ben Goodwin and David Lester in 2018, Olipop pioneered the breakout category of functional, low-calorie soda and has become one of the fastest growing drink brands in recent memory. The company is expected to generate $500 million in revenue this year and its products are sold in over 35,000 retail stores across the U.S., including major chains Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Publix, Kroger an...
Aug 20, 2024•55 min
Prior to the announcement of Mars’ $36 billion acquisition of Kellanova, the hosts discussed the possibility of a major M&A deal, one that could create a domino effect for some CPG brands. They also opined on the future of NA bottle shops, munch on ramen-flavored snacks and sip on banana cream soda. Show notes: 0:35: Hoodie Jinx. Junk Food, Part Deux. Fung Wah. An Ambient Future. NA & THC. — It’s clear that Mike and Ray dressed from the same closet, but neither is into granny thrifting. ...
Aug 16, 2024•38 min
Michael Preysman turned heads in 2011 when he launched pioneering DTC apparel brand Everlane. With his latest venture – Magna, a brand of sports wellness powders infused with magnesium – he has once again captured the attention of many, particularly those in the beverage industry. In 2022, Michael stepped down as Everlane CEO and took a new role as the company’s executive chair and climate lead. After handing over the day-to-day responsibilities of running Everlane, whose 2023 revenues are p...
Aug 13, 2024•31 min
A promising brand shut its doors this week, and its founder claimed that a confluence of factors led to its demise. Taste Radio’s hosts, however, wonder if the company’s problems stemmed from a single simple issue. They also riff on the ubiquity of “brat summer,” toss Twinkies and pop bottles of the NA variety. Show notes: 0:35: Pump Up The Jam. Dude Dad x Rizzberry. Kelp Burgers. Pasta Snacks, Pt. 3. Cuppa Projo. – Jacqui reveals her pre-banter routine, Ray breaks out an unexpected and mysterio...
Aug 09, 2024•32 min
Upon its much hyped debut in 2019, Recess was dubbed by the press as “the Lacroix of CBD.” Founder and CEO Ben Witte has always preferred a different tagline: “the Red Bull of relaxation.” CBD was the fuel for Recess’ hot start, but when the beverage industry cooled on the cannabinoid — the result of a challenging regulatory environment — the company turned to another trendy ingredient: magnesium. In 2021, Recess introduced Recess Mood, a new line of sparkling waters infused with magnesium and a...
Aug 06, 2024•49 min
Does the announcement of a new $135 million fund offer any indication about the flow of new capital in food and beverage? The hosts discuss and also highlight a Poppi-infused snack, Walgreens’ private label prowess and some “notable” folks. This episode features an interview with five entrepreneurs, including the founders of Little Spoon, Four Sigmatic and O2, who are drawing upon their extensive experience, networks and resources to support emerging brands via a new venture called CPG Fast Trac...
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 11 min
It’s one of the fastest growing natural food brands in recent years, but better-for-you snack maker LesserEvil still has plenty of room to scale. Literally. The vertically integrated company just opened its second production facility in its home state of Connecticut, one it views as the next step towards expansion into mainstream retailers. Best known for its organic popcorn and identified by the cherubic Buddha-like icon on the front of every bag, LesserEvil debuted in 2005. Its current traject...
Jul 30, 2024•31 min
There’s high praise, some head-scratching and outright dismay in this innovation-centric episode of Taste Radio. Among the highlights: an upstart labneh brand and a Gen Z-inspired line of better-for-you soda. Less appealing: a corporation’s commodification of ethnic foods and global flavors. Show notes: 0:25: It Sounds Phishy. Mike Gets A Treat. No Cap. A Tiny Moment. Oh, Ben. Spicy Bread. – Mike is back and shares some deets about a THC-fueled concert before he gets his chance to sample a viral...
Jul 26, 2024•41 min
When Miguel Leal and his co-founders launched the modern Mexican food brand Somos Foods in 2021, they believed they were introducing a “Goya for millennials.” It turns out that Somos was more suited to be a “Rao’s for all consumers.” Miguel is the CEO of Somos Foods, which he founded with Kind Snacks founder Daniel Lubetzky and Rodrigo Zuloaga, who, like Miguel, is a former Kind executive. Somos markets clean ingredient “simmer sauces,” salsa, rice and beans produced in Mexico and made using tra...
Jul 23, 2024•42 min
Sweet. Savory. Celeb. The hosts check all the boxes in an episode that looks at how consumers evaluate authenticity between brands and celebrity endorsers. We also feature an interview with Stephanie Reda, the director of brand development for fast growing snack and seltzer brand Hal's New York. Stephanie outlines the history of Hal's and discusses the brand’s retail and distribution strategy. She also talks about Hal’s marketing and social media initiatives, and how her role has evolved as Hal'...
Jul 19, 2024•58 min
How does a 156-year-old business continually evolve to meet the needs and palates of modern consumers? It’s a question that Amy Guittard, the CMO and fifth-generation owner of Guittard Chocolate, often thinks about. Based in the Bay Area, Guittard is a family-owned and operated chocolate company founded in 1868. Guittard’s primary business is as a supplier of premium chocolate to some of the world’s most recognizable candy and sweets brands along with large and independent bakeries. Guittard als...
Jul 16, 2024•34 min
It’s a “buy or sell” episode as the hosts opine about the future of online grocery shopping, fish sticks, and whether kombucha can recapture some of its magic (and sales). They also discuss Athletic Brewing Co.’s recent $50 million financing round and highlight a few fizzy and spicy new products. Show notes: 0:25: Boatin’. No Stage In S.D. M&Athletic. Bruised Peaches. White(fish) Space. Hops For Breakfast. – An hour before the Newton-based team set sail on Boston Harbor, the hosts chat about...
Jul 12, 2024•34 min
During our conversation with Simon Ford, the co-founder of revered spirit brand Fords Gin, he recited an adage that could be inscribed on the walls of any successful company: “People don’t do business with brands, they do business with people.” He’s lived by the maxim throughout a 20-plus year career that includes experience in wine retail, bartending, spirits marketing, and, of course, entrepreneurship. In 2012, Simon and master distiller Charles Maxwell launched The 86 Company, a portfolio of ...
Jul 09, 2024•42 min
In a bursting-at-the-seams episode of Taste Radio, the hosts reflect and ruminate on Lionel Messi’s Prime-killer, “condiment couture,” Boisson-bashing and sausage salvation. They also get vitaminwater vibes from a brand’s recent revamp and highlight a handful of new beverages, including a sparkling tea and a decaf espresso martini. Show notes: 0:25: Taste No Raydio. Fashion Meets Catsup? Wet & Mas. A Martini With No Jitters. – Ray praises the team for filling in while he was OOO before every...
Jul 05, 2024•35 min
This special edition of the podcast highlights interviews with six founders, creators and innovators who joined us on Taste Radio during the first half of 2024. Our guests include Chamberlain Coffee founder Emma Chamberlain; Elizabeth Banks and Marian Leitner, co-owners of Archer Roose; Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert; Alix Peabody, founder of Bev; Jay Shetty, co-founder of Juni; and Super Bowl champion NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the lead investor of Throne Sport Coffee. Show notes: 0:31: Inter...
Jul 02, 2024•31 min
Why are some concepts that were once derided as too esoteric for mainstream consumers now viewed as cutting edge and trendy? The hosts discuss the topic during their recap of the 2024 Summer Fancy Food Show and also highlight rooibos-based drinks, a “breakfast martini” and THC powders. Show notes: 0:25: An Irish “Beer Factory.” One-Day Sprint. Spicy Flights. Generation-Neutral. FUQ BOI? Breakfast Martinis. BevNET Com. – Upon his return from across the pond, Craven suggests a new date for SFFS, h...
Jun 28, 2024•23 min
Nicole Dawes isn’t the kind of CEO that operates from behind a desk. Throughout her career, Nicole, the founder of Late July Organic Snacks and Nixie Beverage Co., has consistently stressed the importance of building brands at the store level. Being in the field yields critical information about how products are performing on shelf, she says, and also strengthens relationships with retail buyers and merchandisers. That philosophy helped her build Late July into a nationally distributed brand tha...
Jun 25, 2024•40 min
On the heels of BevNET Live Summer 2024, the hosts revisit the final round of the New Beverage Showdown and explain why evaluating emerging brands at different stages of development can be challenging. They also highlight a handful of new products and talk about the influx of saucy condiments. Show notes: 0:25: Five-Zero. Zig Zag. Candy Toilets. Melissa x Guy Fieri. Hot & Saucy. — Melissa recounts her visit to one of NYC‘s most recognized landmarks, Mike talks about why an upcoming trade sho...
Jun 21, 2024•33 min
Forbes once described Jean-Charles Boisset as “The James Bond of Wine,” a title befitting of the Frenchman, who embodies elegance and sophistication. But at his core, Jean-Charles is fond of nourishing others and sharing his passion for high-quality beverage and food with anyone he encounters. Jean-Charles and his sister Nathalie lead the current generation of his family’s business, Boisset Collection, a global company that owns dozens of wineries across the world, including in California, Franc...
Jun 18, 2024•28 min
Frank Sinatra famously crooned "if I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere." The "there," of course, is New York City. The Big Apple was the backdrop for BevNET Live Summer 2024, held on June 12 and 13. Taste Radio's hosts met with founders and executives from dozens of emerging and innovative beverage brands represented at the annual event, including those that participated in BevNET's signature pitch competition, the New Beverage Showdown. In this episode, the hosts discuss their conversati...
Jun 17, 2024•18 min
The New York Times recently hailed Graza’s “sizzle” variety as “the best all around olive oil that you can buy in a store.” It’s the latest high-profile praise for the brand, which launched in 2022 and is beloved for its chef-inspired, squeezable green bottles. While acclaim for Graza has become commonplace, its popularity among influencers has led some to mock it as “the Instagram olive oil.” Occasional derision, however, is fine with co-founder and CEO Andrew Benin. Being aligned with one of t...
Jun 11, 2024•29 min
It’s rare for a five-month-old CPG brand to be featured in the checkout aisles of one of the world’s largest retailers. But Katie Lefkowitz, the founder and CEO of Harken Sweets, an upstart brand of plant-based, better-for-you candy bars, made it happen. Prior to launching Harken, Katie was the chief operating officer of Caulipower, helping the cauliflower-centric brand generate $100 million in sales annually within four years of its launch. In 2022, she set her sights on the confectionery space...
Jun 07, 2024•52 min
