Taste Radio

In this episode, we're joined by Jordan Salcito, founder of Ramona, a fast-growing brand of canned wine and wine spritzes. Following high-profile roles as the sommelier at acclaimed restaurant Eleven Madison Park and as the wine director at David Chang's Momofuku, Salcito launched Ramona in September 2016. Lauded by critics and consumers for its striking package design and commitment to high quali...

Bagels and cream cheese is a classic pairing. Bantam Bagels co-founders Nick and Elyse Oleksek created an innovative way for folks to skip the prep work: a mini ball-shaped bagel filled with the traditional accoutrement.  Launched as a retail concept in 2013, Bantam Bagels has since evolved into a sprawling platform brand that includes mini stuffed pancakes and egg bites. The products are sold at...

This week, we're joined by Ethan Hirshberg, the founder and CEO of Ethan's, a brand of organic wellness shots formulated with functional ingredients, including apple cider vinegar, MCT oil and green tea. Launched in 2017, the brand debuted at Whole Foods locations nationwide and has since added distribution at chain retailers in a variety of channels, including Wegmans, Walmart and Sprouts. In an...

Ben Goodwin and David Lester admit that they've taken on a massive challenge. And that's just the way they wanted it. The founders of Olipop, a brand of sparkling beverages made with prebiotics, botanicals and plant fiber and featuring classic flavors like root beer and cola, Goodwin and Lester promote the products as "the healthy alternative to soda," a tagline that takes direct aim at legacy car...

Hilary McCain, founder and CEO of CBD-infused sparkling water brand Sweet Reason, describes the  nascent market for legal cannabis-centric products as "a once in a generation opportunity" for entrepreneurs. As part of an interview included in this episode, McCain noted that while the surge in consumer interest for CBD will benefit many early-stage companies in the space, the long-term success of h...

If you've ever seen an episode of ESPN's "SportsCenter," chances are that John Brenkus is a familiar face. The Emmy award-winning host and producer of "Sport Science," a series that examines exceptional athletic performance through the lens of data and scientific research, Brenkus was recently announced as the Chief Brand Officer of natural energy drink brand Kill Cliff. According to the company,...

This week's episode focuses on ways that the BevNET and NOSH teams are working with entrepreneurs to support their businesses during these uncertain times, and also includes an interview with Candice Crane, founder/CEO of botanical drink brand Petal Beverage, who spoke about how she is navigating a challenging environment for small food and beverage companies. Founded in 2017, Petal has won plaudi...

There's an inherent connection between the last name Musk and Tesla. And while Kimbal Musk, brother of Elon Musk, is a founding board member of the electric car company, his focus is firmly on the future of food.  Musk is the co-founder and chairman of three companies -- The Kitchen Restaurant Group, Big Green and Square Roots -- each designed to support his overarching mission of "real food for e...

When assessing the long-term potential for trendy product concepts, Mark Alexander, the CEO of fast-growing skyr brand Icelandic Provisions, uses a "warm" analogy.  "Paper fire burns really bright, and then it's out before you know it," Alexander said in an interview included in this episode. "A wood fire is going to last and burn for a while. That's how we look at things: is this [trend] a paper...

Following a recent evolution in its branding, Dang Foods co-founder/CEO Vincent Kitirattragarn says his company is well-positioned to tap into what he believes is one of the most overlooked and influential demographics in the U.S.: Asian-Americans. Best known for its sweet and savory coconut chips, Dang Foods was launched in 2012 by Kitirattragarn and his brother Andrew . Since its debut, the comp...

In this episode, we're joined by William Siff, founder and CEO of Goldthread, an innovative brand of plant-based tonics formulated with herbs, spices and adaptogens. A clinical herbalist, ethnobotanist and licensed acupuncturist, Siff launched the company in 2016 as an extension of his apothecary and herb farm in Western Massachusetts.  A pioneer in the emerging category of adaptogenic beverages,...

Twelve years ago, Ben Van Leeuwen launched his small-batch ice cream brand in the midst of a recession. An economic downturn is perhaps not the ideal time to start a company, yet the circumstances helped establish one of the core elements of his business strategy: a thorough examination of every cost. "Dig into every single expense, and ask yourself: 'Is this really serving our customer?' Van Leeu...

This week, we're joined by Tommy Kelly and Salim Najjar, the co-founders of Sound Brands, a fast-growing company that markets carbonated, unsweetened iced teas and tea-infused sparkling waters made with herbal and botanical ingredients. Launched in 2015, Sound has been at the forefront of an emerging market for sparkling teas. Hailed by Bon Appetit magazine as "The New LaCroix," Sound products are...

When Marco Canora opened the first Brodo location, a takeout window housed within his acclaimed New York City restaurant Hearth, he believed he was at the forefront of a new category of sippable bone broths. He was on to something: the launch of Brodo sparked broad interest in bone broth, positioned to consumers as a comforting drink and a convenient source of nutrition.  In the following months,...

The brand may be called Belgian Boys, but a self-described "Chief Belgian Girl" conceived its thoughtful business strategy. Anouck Gotlib is the CEO of Belgian Boys, which markets a range of authentic European breakfast foods and sweet snacks, including liege wafels, crepes, pancakes and stroopwafels. Launched in 2014, the brand is represented in a variety of retail channels and chains, including...

Gotham Greens co-founder and CEO Viraj Puri recognizes that the company's proprietary farming technology is critical to its ability to operate a network of greenhouses with a combined 600,000 sq. ft of growing space. However, in an interview included in this episode, he explained that Gotham Greens' workforce holds the key to its mission of "transforming how and where fresh produce is grown." "Tec...

This week's episode focuses on how two food companies are evolving to meet the needs of modern consumers. In our first interview, we spoke with Alden Blease and Emma Frelinghuysen, the co-founder and CEO, respectively, of REDD Bar. Founded in 2014, REDD is a brand of plant-based protein bars infused with vegan prebiotics, probiotics and adaptogens. Although REDD cultivated a loyal following and di...

Sam Dennigan's roots in the food industry run deep.  Born in Dublin to a family-owned wholesaler of fresh fruit and vegetables, Dennigan grew up surrounded by nutritious food and worked in nearly every capacity of the business. His experience served as the basis for the launch of his own company, the aptly named Strong Roots. Launched in Ireland in 2015, Strong Roots has since become one of the U....

Nona Lim is forecasting 2020 to be the first profitable year for her namesake brand. As she explained in an interview in this episode, it took a lot of saying "no" to get to this point. The Nona Lim brand, launched in 2014 as a spin-off of Lim's ahead-of-its time meal kit company, markets a variety of better-for-you and convenient Asian-inspired foods, including broths, sippable soups and noodle b...

Twelve years since launching Eboost, a brand of natural energy powders and ready-to-drink beverages, founder and CEO Josh Taekman reflected on his entrepreneurial journey with a measure of regret. In an interview included in this episode, he admitted that he's made some big mistakes -- including a few near-fatal ones for the brand. He acknowledged that Eboost has bee n chronically underfunded and...

This week, we're joined by Nick Guillen and Nick Ajluni, the founders of TRUFF, a fast-growing brand of upscale, truffle-infused hot sauces that are promoted as "the pinnacle of heat experience." Founded in December 2017, TRUFF quickly became known for its sleek packaging and decadent flavors, eventually becoming one of the top-selling hot sauce brands on Amazon and a favorite among chefs and cele...

Miyoko Schinner literally wears her passion for veganism on her sleeve.  A few moments prior to our interview with Schinner, the founder of plant-based cheese and butter company Miyoko's Creamery, she p revealed a large tattoo just below her right shoulder. Printed in block letters were the words "Phenomenally Vegan," a credo that defines Schinner and her company, which was built on "the principle...

John Sorial admits that his company should have gone out of business -- several times. Sorial is the founder of TaDah Foods, a maker of plant-based, Mediterranean -inspired foods, including frozen falafel wraps and bite-size falafel poppers. Launched in 2011, TaDah was on an upward trajectory during its first five years, picking up distribution at retailers across the U.S. and generating annual sa...

There's a phrase that comes up several times in our interview with Andrew Abraham, founder/CEO of protein-centric brand Orgain: cautiously optimistic.  A medical doctor turned entrepreneur, Abraham was inspired to launch Orgain in 2009 while recovering from cancer treatment and being frustrated with the lack of options for healthy, drinkable nutrition. Introduced as a first-to-market brand of orga...

In this week's episode, we're joined by former NFL star Matt Light and Bill Dessel, the co-founders of sessionable spirit brand Keel Vodka. At 23.8% alcohol by volume and 58 calories per serving, Keel promotes itself as "the world's first premium light spirit."  Prior to co-founding Keel, Light was key member of the New England Patriots' offensive line in three of the team's Super Bowl wins. Altho...