Taste Radio

Let's say you have an innovative concept for a new brand, but your idea doesn't fit within the established construct of the industry that you would be operating in. That was – and continues to be – a quandary for the co-founders of Empirical, a Copenhagen-based company that produces innovative spirits and, more recently, food. Launched in 2017 by Lars Williams and Mark Emil Hermansen, both of whom...

On a BevNET Live stage several years ago, former vitaminwater CMO, beverage investor and current "Shark Tank'' judge Rohan Oza remarked that "everything is niche, until it's not." It's an adage that one could certainly apply to Skrewball Whiskey, a peanut butter-flavored whiskey brand that has experienced one of the one of the fastest market rollouts in the history of the spirits industry. Launche...

Taste Radio's hosts reflected on upcoming cultural events and the excitement surrounding NOSH Live and BevNET Live Summer 2022 in New York City. They also riffed on several new and innovative products, including crunchy mushroom chips, gut-health drinks made with upcycled whey, a soda-inspired line of kids' beverages and cigarette-styled snacks made for "invisible friends." Show notes: 0:40: Tom C...

How do you extend a restaurant empire into pantries across America? If you're David Chang, you hire Zoe Feldman. Often regarded as one of the most influential chefs and restaurateurs of the past two decades, Chang is the founder of Momofuku, a global restaurant group that is credited by The New York Times as leading "the rise of contemporary Asian-American cuisine." In October 2020, Momofuku launc...

When Bridget Connelly started Luna Bay Booch in 2018, the hard kombucha category consisted of a handful of brands, most of which were positioned as alternatives to craft beer and focused on distribution in Southern California. A former social media strategist for Lululemon, Connelly took a different tack.  She swathed Luna Bay with an ethereal vibe and incorporated design elements that highlighted...

Jimmy Butler's prowess on the basketball court earned him the nickname "Jimmy Buckets." As he becomes more well known in the coffee industry, perhaps "Jimmy Barista'' will be just as fitting. A perennial NBA All-Star, Butler revealed himself as a coffee aficionado in 2020 when the league concluded its season in a "bubble" at the Disney World resort in Orlando. He stocked his hotel room with coffee...

Paul Voge, the co-founder and CEO of artisanal sparkling water brand Aura Bora, wasn't too worried about his first large scale production run.  Aura Bora, which markets zero-calorie sparkling waters infused with herbs and botanicals, was born out of Voge's belief that an opportunity existed for an artisanal option within the carbonated water category. If, however, the brand failed to get off the g...

Acclaimed chef Spike Mendelsohn first made his name as a contestant in the cooking competition TV series "Top Chef" before establishing himself as a well-known restaurateur and television personality. As he becomes increasingly immersed in the emerging world of NFTs, however, he may end up being just as recognized as the co-creator of CHFTY Pizza, an online community that connects chefs with foodi...

In this episode, Taste Radio's hosts discussed notable brands and products exhibited at the 2022 Specialty Coffee Association Expo, reflecting on how some cannabis-based drinks are finding favor as evening libations and riffed upon several striking snacks and beverages. The show also continues our spotlight on health-centric private equity firm Manna Tree Partners in an interview with managing dir...

Investors often say that they evaluate a company's potential based on business fundamentals, such as gross margin, retail velocity and brand awareness. As much as anything, however, personal alignment with entrepreneurs in terms of character, vision and demeanor is core to the investment philosophy of Manna Tree Partners.  A private equity firm whose stated mission is "to invest in the future of h...

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...

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...

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 j...

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...

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 sophist...

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 ingr...

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 organi...

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 sna...

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...

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 contain...

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...

"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. Wag...

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 A...

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 s...

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:...