Why A Financial Windfall Won’t Fulfill Caulipower’s Gail Becker… or Anyone Else
Release Date: 03/25/2025
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Taste Radio
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 in this episode: the hosts unpack Guayaki’s unprecedented rebrand to Yerba Madre and what it means for the category-defining brand. They also dive into Gopuff’s new GoXL product and whether...
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Taste Radio
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 editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Founders and CEOs of early stage food or beverage brands are invited to join future shows to pitch their products, discuss recent news and get...
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Taste Radio
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, transparency, and clean ingredients. Launched in 2021 by brothers Jordan & Adam Sager, Kind of Wild markets certified organic, zero-sugar, vegan-friendly wines with no harmful additives,...
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Taste Radio
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 purpose. Show notes: 0:45: Deadlines & Agendas. Chasin’ Victory. NNE Is Next. Your Grandma’s A.I. BFY Candy & Vodka. It’s Redundant, No? The hosts note a fast-approaching...
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Taste Radio
Todd Davis, a seasoned Kroger executive who’s been with the retailer for over 30 years, has a sharp instinct for what makes a brand not just survive, but soar. As the category manager for natural, local, and multicultural brands at Kroger’s King Soopers and City Market banners, Todd has spent decades championing innovative products and the passionate founders behind them. But for him, it’s not just about the numbers – it’s about purpose, authenticity and impact. In this episode, Todd shares his strategy for identifying standout brands and why he’s especially driven to support...
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Taste Radio
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Elevator Talk: Corpse Reviver, MAA • TE, The NA Beverage Company, Big D Energy Drink
Taste Radio
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Taste Radio
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Funding Favors the Few. Chefs Favor the Simple.
Taste Radio
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60 Startups. $7 Million. How Ignite20 Is Funding The Future Of CPG.
Taste Radio
Ignite20 isn’t just cutting checks. The new $7 million venture capital fund and hybrid accelerator is lighting a fire under the next wave of CPG innovators. Launched in February 2025, Ignite20 was born out of the Redwood Ventures Group and is also backed by early-stage VC firm Santatera Capital and food distributor RPM Food. Over the next three years, the fund will invest in 60 early-stage startups across the health, beauty, food, beverage, and pet care industries – targeting 20 promising brands per year. Each selected company will receive a $50,000 capital investment, along with hands-on...
info_outlineGail Becker has a bold message for CPG entrepreneurs: if your brand isn’t built to truly improve the lives of your consumers, “you should stay the hell out.”
As the founder of the trailblazing frozen food brand Caulipower, Gail has changed the way that millions of Americans think about comfort food. Caulipower offers gluten-free, better-for-you versions of traditional favorites, including its flagship cauliflower-based pizza crust, as well as chicken tenders, frozen pizzas, and pizza bites. With $100 million in annual sales and a presence in tens of thousands of retailers nationwide, including Target, Walmart, Kroger, and Whole Foods, Caulipower had made an indelible mark in the freezer aisle.
In a candid interview featured in this episode, Gail talks about the most rewarding aspect of her entrepreneurial journey: the personal connection she’s built with her consumers. For Gail, it’s never been about the financial gain – it’s about making a difference.
Gail opens up about the guiding principles behind Caulipower’s product development and how staying true to these values has fueled innovation, allowing her to meet real consumer needs while breaking industry norms. She also dives deep into how her leadership style has evolved as the company scales, and why staying grounded in core values is crucial, no matter how big the business gets.
Show notes:
0:25: Interview: Gail Becker, Founder, Caulipower – On location at the bustling Caulipower booth at Expo West 2025, Gail Becker discusses the brand’s new dill pickle pizza and why its launch took two years to bring to market. She explains the three core criteria that new products must meet and talks about the company’s commitment to making better-for-you options more accessible to a wider audience. Gail also shares how pushing boundaries is a key part of Caulipower’s mission. Gail also reflects on the early days of Caulipower, highlighting the hard work, energy, and sometimes unawareness of challenges that fueled its initial success. She also talks about her experience as the face of Caulipower, despite being a private person, and stresses the importance of knowing when to say no as a founder.
Brands in this episode: Caulipower