Taste Radio

The latest episode of Elevator Talk features leaders from NIKIGO, Zip Frut, TruJoy Yogurt, Mamame Tempeh Chips and Jack's Dad's Hummus. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week's special co-host is Tom Spier, the founder and managing partner of venture capital firm BFG Partners, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the...

How did a 180-year-old Italian digestif become one of America's most beloved bar staples? Though Fernet-Branca has enjoyed a storied legacy in Europe since its creation in 1845, it remained a niche curiosity in the United States for much of its life. The intensely bitter, herbal liqueur was appreciated only by the most adventurous palates. Today, however, it's a fixture behind the bar from upscale...

Could plastic packaging be the next target on MAHA's hitlist? Have we reached peak chili crisp? Has Dubai chocolate already jumped the shark? The hosts dig in and debate, then spotlight a new $450 million fund that's fueling emerging food and beverage brands. We also sit down with Tara Lindley of High West, who talks about how the revered whiskey brand balances innovation with market demand. 0:35:...

A hip-hop icon. A lifelong bond. A shared passion for craft spirits. And a warehouse full of aged whiskey. When these elements came together, they gave rise to Amber & Opal, a premium honey botanical rye whiskey that's turning heads in the spirits industry. Launched in 2024, Amber & Opal was co-founded by Ja Rule, Herb Rice, Sandy Sandiford, and Kelvin Barton. A rye whiskey blended with orange blo...

The 2025 Summer Fancy Food Show was a vibrant exhibition of everything we love about the food and beverage industry. From new concepts and inventive product launches to passionate entrepreneurs and irresistible bites and sips, the event was a sensory feast. The hosts spotlight ethnic brands, artisanal snacks and distinctive libations from one of the most exceptional trade shows they've ever experi...

In this special edition of the podcast, we feature highlights from interviews with eight founders, creators and innovators who joined us on the show during the first half of 2025. Our guests include Gail Becker, the founder of Caulipower; Bill Creelman and Dave Burwick, the founder and CEO, respectively of Spindrift; Emily Griffith, the founder and CEO of Lil Bucks; Troy Bonde and Winston Alfieri,...

In one of the strangest scandals to hit the CPG world, BetterBrand, the startup behind the high-protein, low-carb "Better Bagel,"  is now facing lawsuits, unpaid debts… and a missing founder. The hosts weigh in on the chaos surrounding entrepreneur Aimee Yang and her calamitous company. They also discuss a new, seemingly BFY beverage alcohol segment and why protein donuts deserve better ingredient...

When Ghost co-founders Dan Lourenco and Ryan Hughes launched their fitness and lifestyle brand in 2016, they weren't chasing headlines or quick exits. They were trying to build a company that felt like a movement.  From the outset, Ghost resonated with a younger, influencer-savvy audience drawn to its bold, candy- and snack-inspired fitness supplements – flavors like Warhead and Sour Patch Kids br...

Why did it take government pressure for Kraft Heinz to clean up its act? The hosts unpack the conglomerate's pledge to drop artificial dyes from its products by 2027, and what it says about Big Food's priorities. The episode also features interviews with the founders of two remarkable early-stage brands: Maura Duggan of Fancypants Baking Co. and Allison Elliott of Farmer Foodie. Show notes: 0:35:...

While many founders chase the latest trends, Yannis Ouzounopoulos saw opportunity in an overlooked $4 billion category – and struck breakfast gold. Yannis is the founder and CEO of Olyra, a fast-growing brand of organic breakfast bars and biscuits inspired by his family's fifth-generation flour milling business in Greece. Launched in 2017, Olyra was born from Yannis' conviction that the U.S. break...

Can a sober celebrity build a booming booze brand? The hosts dig into the paradox behind a high-profile actress and entrepreneur who doesn't drink – but is betting big on alcohol. Plus, a tea company rooted in a 1930s family recipe is brewing something fresh with younger consumers. With a grassroots strategy and nostalgic appeal, could it be the next big thing for Gen Z and millennials? Show notes...

What do TikTok, Target, and African superfoods have in common? They've all played a role in the remarkable resurgence of Kuli Kuli — the pioneering superfood brand founded in 2014 that introduced moringa to the U.S. market and is now carried in over 11,000 retail stores nationwide. Once known primarily for its moringa products, Kuli Kuli has since expanded its portfolio and reintroduced itself wit...

Are they breakout stars or just... confusing? Pizza wine, salmon jerky, kava & mushroom-infused drinks, Gen Z-inspired peanut butter and "cheezy" puff snacks. Why we're thumbs up – or down – on buzzworthy new concepts in CPG. This episode also spotlights two remarkable women on a mission to elevate the way we eat: Holly Arbuckle of Singing Pastures and Swati Elavia of Monsoon Kitchens. Show notes:...

If the legacy food giants won't evolve, Mason Dixie will do it for them – one honest, skillet-cooked meal at a time. When Ayeshah Abuelhiga founded Mason Dixie Foods in 2014, she set out to deliver what people are truly hungry for: clean, craveable comfort food made without compromise. No preservatives. No shortcuts. Just real ingredients and real flavor. Today, Mason Dixie offers a growing lineup...

Big ideas, bold flavors, and unfiltered insights—welcome to Austin, where the future of CPG is being written in real time. At Taste Radio's Austin Meetup, we sat down with trailblazers and trendsetters redefining how brands are built and scaled. From Better Sour co-founder Bella Hughes to Torchy's Tacos founder Mike Rypka and Snaxshot's Andrea Hernández, these conversations explore what it really...

Dumpling Daughter isn't just a food brand. It's founder Nadia Liu Spellman's heartfelt homage to family, culture and comfort. Her mission is simple but powerful: to make high-quality, restaurant-style comfort food accessible at home, while honoring the deep emotional ties that food can hold. Launched in 2014. Dumpling Daughter began as a beloved local restaurant in the Boston area and has since ex...

Michelle Razavi, the co-founder of Elavi, pulls back the curtain on how the brand landed a $1 million order from Costco just four months after the debut of its protein brownies. The hosts also discuss Chobani's purchase of Daily Harvest and Via Verde Valle's acquisition of A Dozen Cousins and how the latter may reflect a new paradigm in which founders favor strategic exits over prolonged fundraisi...

The latest installment of Elevator Talk features leaders from Hip Pop, Pari, Aqua Boost, Pablo's Mate, Zenjoy. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week's special co-host is Adam Louras, a principal with Mercenary, who shared his thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants. He is joined by Ray Latif, the editor and producer...

How do you build a globally scaled seafood company rooted in ancient Japanese techniques, humane animal treatment, and radical transparency – all before the age of 26? Meet Saif Khawaja, the founder and CEO of Seremoni, a startup that's reinventing the seafood industry from the ground up.  Launched in 2024, Seremoni is a vertically integrated company setting a new benchmark for quality and ethics...

Is the plant-based meat boom going bust? Despite early excitement and big investments, some brands are in the midst of turbulent times and an uncertain future. The hosts weigh in. Plus, Babak Bina, co-founder of BCB3 Hospitality Group, shares how a deep commitment to guest experience and a love for cultural cuisine helped him develop some of the city's most acclaimed restaurants. Show notes: 0:45:...

Tony Abou-Ganim, a legendary figure in the world of cocktails and hospitality with nearly five decades behind the bar, is sounding an alarm for the industry he cherishes. "Where did the fun go?" he asks – a question that reverberates across the ever-evolving landscape of bars and beverage culture. As the founder of cocktail platform Modern Mixologist, Tony's career has been a masterclass in passio...

After a challenging 2024, Lemon Perfect knew it was time for a bold reset. Founder Yanni Hufnagel led the charge with a reengineered bottle and improved formula, but the brand's comeback wouldn't be complete without a new look. Enter Paula Grant and creative studio Suite9C, tasked with developing a daring visual identity refresh. This is the story of how a brand turned setback into spotlight. Also...

The latest episode of Elevator Talk features leaders from Joon, Scobucha, Hey! Hunger, Jozo and Fable Fish Co. Watch founders and CEOs introduce their brands and provide a recap of recent news and updates. This week's special co-host is Eleanor Hayden, the founder & CEO of Hayden Consultancy, who shared her thoughts, questions and feedback with the participants. She is joined by Ray Latif, the edi...

What happens when a celebrated food personality brings her passion for clean eating to the wine aisle – and helps launch a brand that's redefining what's in your glass? Katie Lee Biegel, the bestselling author, Food Network celebrity and co-founder of Kind of Wild wines, discusses her journey into the organic wine business and how she's building a purpose-driven brand rooted in sustainability, tra...

They call it "better-for-you." But better for who, exactly? And are trendy startups solving a problem – or just selling the illusion of one? The hosts dig in. We also revisit four interviews from Taste Radio's NYC meetup, where leaders from innovative food and beverage organizations, including Rethink Food and The Goods Mart, shared insights on mission-driven business models and scaling with purpo...