Market Plate

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Bashir Chedrawee, the founder of Simone's Kitchen, a fast-casual restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. Bashir shares his journey from aspiring medical professional to food entrepreneur, detailing how he and his mother created a unique dining experience that emphasizes wholesome, affordable food. The conversation...

In this episode of Market Plate, Michael Wangbickler speaks with Lisa Hurwitz from HAPPI about the emerging market of THC beverages. They discuss the unique product offerings of HAPPI, which focus on low-dose, hemp-derived THC drinks designed for women. Lisa explains the differences between hemp-derived and cannabis-derived THC, the competitive landscape, and the importance of consumer education....

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler interviews Bruce Osterhaven from Big O, a company specializing in smoked fish products. Bruce shares the origins of the company, founded by his grandfather and father, and discusses the challenges and opportunities in the seafood industry, including sourcing, quality control, and market trends. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to co...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Jared Smith, Executive Vice President of Perfect Hydration, about the challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage industry, particularly focusing on the alkaline water market. They discuss the company's journey, sustainability efforts, marketing strategies, and the importance of adapting to consumer demands and mar...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Mike Wangbickler speaks with Kim Gandhi, founder of Food Fire Knives, about the private chef industry. They discuss the unique experience private chefs offer compared to traditional catering, the business model of Food Fire Knives, and the growth of the private chef market post-pandemic. Kim shares insights on navigating supply chain challenges, innovations in...

In this conversation, Michael Wangbickler interviews Jason Burke, the founder of a successful meat snacks company. Jason shares his unexpected journey into the food industry, driven by personal experiences with health and nutrition. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, including funding, supply chain issues, and the importance of maintaining core values while adapting to consumer deman...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Katherine Harvey, co-founder of Bare Bones, about the evolution of their bone broth products, the challenges of navigating the food and beverage industry, and the importance of protein in consumer diets. They discuss the market strategy that led to their success in major retailers, the impact of economic conditions on supply cha...

In this episode of Market Plate, Michael Wangbickler speaks with Jimmy Kleiman, COO of Uncle Arnie's, about the evolving landscape of THC beverages. They discuss the company's journey since its inception in 2020, the trends driving growth in the THC beverage market, and the importance of consumer education. Jimmy shares insights on dosage equivalency to alcohol, the challenges of distribut...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Liz Butts, founder of Sprinkle Pop, about her journey from cake decorating to creating a successful sprinkle business. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage industry, the importance of understanding customer needs, current trends in the sprinkle market, and effective marketing strategies. Liz sha...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Michael Dean from Cali Sober about the emerging market of THC-infused beverages. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the beverage industry, particularly focusing on the rise of alternative drinks among younger consumers. Dean shares insights on building a brand, navigating regulations, and the importance of effectiv...

In this episode of MarketPlate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Scott O'Malley from clr!ty , a THC beverage company. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the THC beverage market, including product lines, dosage, market trends, consumer education, and the impact of legislation and insurance on the industry. Scott shares insights on the evolution of the market, the importance of...

In this episode of Market Plate, Michael Wangbickler speaks with Bobby Barton about the evolving landscape of the beverage industry, focusing on the challenges and opportunities for emerging brands. Bobby shares insights on building RPC Brands, the importance of consumer connection, and the need for consultative selling in a competitive market. They discuss trends in wine and spirits, including th...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Anne Djerai, CEO of Metropolis Coffee, about the evolving landscape of the coffee industry. They discuss the company's culture, innovations, and the impact of consumer preferences on coffee consumption. Anne shares insights on sourcing challenges, pricing fluctuations, and the influence of major brands like Starbucks on coff...

In this episode, Michael Wangbickler interviews Chad Copher, the general manager of Heringer Estates, a family-run winery in Clarksburg, California. They discuss Chad's journey into the wine industry, the history and operations of Heringer Estates, and the challenges the wine market is currently facing. The conversation also explores strategies for attracting younger generations of wine drinkers,...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Alex Sarnow from Spruce Confections about the challenges and opportunities in the baked goods industry. They discuss the company's growth plans, market trends, specialty baked goods, and the challenges faced by the industry, including staffing and pricing. Alex shares insights on building relationships in the wholesale market an...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Pete Ferrari, the founder of Healthy for Life Foods, about his entrepreneurial journey and the introduction of Jaka sugar, a healthier alternative to traditional sugar. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the food industry, the importance of consumer education, and the company's commitment to social responsibili...

In this conversation, Alanna Ti'a shares her journey as a solopreneur in the baking industry, discussing the challenges and opportunities she faced while establishing her home bakery. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to market trends, understanding cottage food laws, and leveraging SEO for business growth. Alanna also addresses supply chain issues, pricing strategies, and offers valuable...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Josh Rothstein from Redstone Foods about the current challenges in the candy industry. They discuss market trends, consumer behavior, the impact of tariffs, and the shift towards online business models. Rothstein shares insights on regional preferences for snack products, emerging flavor trends, and the importance of building lo...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Mike speaks with Vincent Beretta of Tres Lecheria about the challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage industry, particularly in the dessert sector. They discuss the journey of Cubes Baking Company, the impact of the pandemic, market trends towards clean label products, and the importance of efficiency and sustainability in production. Vincent share...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Justin Honeysuckle, co-founder of Tended Bar, an innovative automated cocktail dispensing system. They discuss the evolution of Tended Bar, its unique features, and the challenges faced in the hospitality industry, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Justin shares insights on market positioning, operational challenges, and...

In this episode of Market Plate, Michael Wangbickler speaks with Jody Hall, founder of Wunderground, about the innovative approach to coffee that incorporates adaptogens for wellness. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage industry, particularly in the coffee market, and how Wunderground positions itself as a leader in this emerging category. Jody shares insights on...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Jim Birch, co-founder of Salsa Queen, about the journey of the company, its innovative product lines, and the challenges faced in the food and beverage industry. Jim shares insights on managing hyper growth, supply chain strategies, maintaining quality, and marketing efforts. The conversation also touches on future growth plans...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Charles Alpers from Zeppole Bakery about the challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage industry. They discuss the evolution of the bakery, competition, rising costs, and the importance of consumer education regarding artisan products. Alpers shares insights from his extensive experience in the hospitality industry an...

In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Michael Memsic, co-founder and CEO of Sanitas Brewing, about the challenges and opportunities in the craft brewing industry. They discuss the journey of Sanitas Brewing, the importance of community, navigating competition, current trends in craft beer, and the future of alcohol consumption. Memsic emphasizes the need for breweri...

Summary In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler engages with Mark Samuel, a seasoned entrepreneur in the food and beverage industry. They discuss the current challenges and opportunities within the CPG sector, the importance of having a strong product and brand story, and the realities of launching a new snack company. Mark shares his insights on market trends, the significance o...