The Food & Drink Business Podcast

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, talks with Michelle Thomson, GM of Kerry ANZ, about current market and consumer trends and how companies can maximise opportunities for success. We start with how Michelle’s curiosity about consumer behaviour and looking at the world through a customer lens led to a non-linear career in sales, category, and commercial roles before headi...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, is joined by City Larder co-founders, Robbie and Rebecca Bell, and Commonwealth Bank’s GM for Small Business Vic/Tas, Tess McCormack. Robbie and Rebecca provide an overview of City Larder and building its reputation as a premium brand for French-style charcuterie products. After seeing a gap in the market for their products, the Bells s...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is re-joined by Cormac Henry, the Associate Director for Food and Drink at Mintel.  We start looking at the trends for 2025 by considering our previous discussion on the results from Mintel’s study which reviewed consumer behaviours including their preference for new experiences, short moments of joy, and health supplements. We explo...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Dominic Westendorf, the Regional and Agribusiness Banking Victoria GM for CommBank, and the CEO of Ferndale Foods Australia, Leigh Edward, to discuss the valuable role and benefits of regional food and beverage manufacturing. Leigh tells us about Ferndale Foods, and how its foundations are as much in Ballarat as in his family...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, talks to Jed Simpfendorfer and Dr Ro Mueller from market research firm, Tgarage, about what Australian consumers are thinking and how that impacts food and beverage businesses. The discussion explores Tgarage’s most recent insights into consumer behaviours and the tension point between trying to reduce spending but still wanting moments...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, talks to Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology (AIFST) CEO, Fiona Fleming, about the critical role of food science and Australia’s food and beverage industry. We start with an overview of AIFST, as a not-for-profit industry body with the goal to advance and inspire all food sector professionals through education, collabora...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor, Kim Berry, talks to the managing director at General Mills ANZ, Karen Jenkins. We start off taking a look at Karen’s career with the multinational food company, and her experience moving up through the ranks. We discuss the benefits of developing an understanding of all parts of the business, and the value in working in different countries while w...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to the CEO of Future Food Systems, Dr James Krahe. We discuss the concept of concept of clusters and ecosystems, their importance in the future of successful food systems and how Future Food Systems Cooperative Research Centre (FFS CRC) is fostering their creation. We then look at the three clusters/sectors in FFS’s remit, with proj...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Yume Food founder and CEO, Katy Barfield. The Yume tech platform integrates with food manufacturers’ systems, connecting them to other businesses to sell, buy, or donate surplus food. Katy shares the experience of starting the platform, an entirely new concept to the sector, and trying to get businesses on board. The realisat...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by start-up Naked Rivals co-founder, Andrew Gordon. From the kernel of an idea to the relentless anxiety of bringing that idea to fruition, Andrew shares the highs and lows of launching Naked Rivals – a frozen citrus product range that upcycles ‘ugly fruit’ and provides cost-effective convenience year-round. We talk about the wi...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Maria Christina, National Manager of Manufacturing & Wholesale Trade, Commonwealth Bank and the CEO of That’s Amore Cheese, Marco Alghisi, to discuss the current state of Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing industry. We hinge the discussion off CommBank’s latest Food & Beverage Manufacturing Insights Report, w...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Sam Oakden from End Food Waste Australia to discuss the latest global and local initiatives to reduce food waste. Sam provides an update on what is happening in the US and EU and the differences in approach between them. The US has just launched a voluntary agreement model, while the EU is putting legislation in place to adva...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Australian Food & Grocery Council (AFGC) CEO, Tanya Barden, to discuss the current state of play for Australia’s food and grocery sector. Tanya gives us an overview of the challenges faced by the industry with increased cost pressures, ageing assets, and a lack of investment. We discuss the role of government grants and t...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by the federal MP Meryl Swanson to discuss the findings and recommendations from the recent House Standing Committee on Agriculture inquiry into food security. As chair of the inquiry, Meryl expands on just some of the 35 recommendations and Australia’s food system. We start off discussing the recommendations for a National Food...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Food Futurist, Tony Hunter, to discuss some of the latest food tech developments around the world and their potential impacts on food and beverage R&D. Kim and Tony catch up on the same day Australian cultivated meat company, Vow, revealed it has created an entire new animal made purely to eat and received approval in Sin...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by the chair of SPC and executive chair of Perpetuity Capital, Hussein Rifai, and the recently announced director of SPC and managing director of Perpetuity Consulting, former CEO Asahi Beverages, Robert Iervasi. The pair walk us through the characteristics of a business advisory firm and the services they offer. Throughout the...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Murray Cod Australia CEO, Ross Anderson, and Luke Piccolo, the co-owner and head chef of Limone restaurant in Griffith, New South Wales. The discussion is about Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod, a world leader in sustainable aquaculture. Ross gives us an overview of how Murray Cod farming was pioneered by Matt Ryan in Australia,...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry, talks to Unilever Australia & New Zealand general counsel, company secretary, and head of B Corp, David Dwyer, about how and why the ANZ business set out to become a B Corp. We start by unpacking what the rigorous certification process involves and the five categories that are assessed to become a B Corp: Environment, Workers, Commun...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to Cormac Henry from Mintel about their recently released global Food & Drink trends for 2024. We explore the four primary trends of consumers prioritising healthy ageing, processes they can trust, inexpensive environmental sustainability, and opportunities for convenience. We assess the health focused consumer behaviours of age...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to Roberto Carbone from Cucina Classica about his experience with food, from his family’s delis and own enterprises in restaurants and cafés to his ready meal business today. Roberto shares the experience and process of licensing one of his products – lasagne – with the feline movie star Garfield, the dramatic impact of Covid, the s...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to plant protein food manufacturer Harvest B’s co-founders Kristi Riordan and Alfred Lo about their aim to provide locally sourced plant-based meat and alternative proteins to Australian food manufacturers. We discuss the cost, taste, and textures of plant based proteins, with a focus on consumer habits, current market costs, and th...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to Fever Tree MD ANZ, Andy Gaunt, about the company and how it disrupted the little thought about market of mixer drinks. The discussion explores the history behind Fever Tree and its impending 20-year anniversary, and its focus on developing tonic waters – and other mixers – that are the best support act for gin and other spirits....

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to the founders of ‘attention strategy agency’ Stanley House Studios, David Wasserman and George Redmond. The pair share their experience and insights working with food and beverage companies and brands to grow consumer awareness and market share. We discuss the chicken/egg dilemma regarding the timing of launching a campaign for a...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry is joined by Bronwyn Cheng, Head of World Foods ANZ at General Mills, to talk about its iconic Old El Paso range. We get an insight into Bronwyn’s journey to her current position in food and marketing, as well as Old El Paso’s market leadership in Australia. The discussion explores the popularity of its products, how Cheng and her team ke...

In this episode, Food & Drink Business editor Kim Berry talks to Coco & Lucas founder and CEO Diem Fuggersberger and managing director David Vu. In a wide-ranging conversation, Diem and David share the experience from start-up to leading national ready meal business. Diem and David recount the experience of getting started in 2016, the challenges Covid presented for the growing business, a...