Adapting To The Sober-Curious, Ozempic-Friendly Consumer
Taste Radio
While alcohol consumption is cooling, the battle between clean-label ingredients and high-protein performance foods is heating up. The hosts examine what’s driving these massive shifts in consumer behavior, and how brands like David, Crisp Power and Athletic Brewing are responding. Show notes: 0:15: Not Jail, Maybe. Chicago Dollars. Less Sauce, More Protein. Live In L.A. Hot Coffee. – Ray and Mike are “off the grid” this episode, but luckily, NOSH managing editor and CPG Week podcast host Monica Watrous steps in to join the conversation. The hosts kick things off by recapping the...
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Elevator Talk: Whole Moon, Solstice, Raya Fruit Water, Hawaiian Soda Co., Elixir Shots
Taste Radio
The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Whole Moon, Solstice, Raya Fruit Water, Hawaiian Soda Co. and Elixir Shots In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week’s special co-host is Allison Ball, the founder & CEO of Food Biz Wiz. She offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply for future...
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Scaling Salt. The Makings Of An Iconic Cult Food Brand.
Taste Radio
How do you turn seawater into a cult food brand? Ben Jacobsen did just that – and changed the way America thinks about salt. In this episode, we sit down with Ben, the founder of Jacobsen Salt Co., whose journey began with a single, revelatory bite of tinned fish topped with a few flakes of sea salt. That moment sparked a passion that led him to the windswept Oregon coast, where he began hand-harvesting salt, and ultimately to building one of the most iconic artisanal food brands in the country. Ben shares how he bootstrapped the business from scratch, earned the trust of renowned chefs, and...
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Billions In The Can, Tallow In The Fryer. But Who's Buying?
Taste Radio
Monster just posted its first-ever $2 billion quarter, Celsius saw revenue jump 84% year-over-year and energy drink sales in C-stores are booming. What’s fueling this explosive growth, and where’s the white space for emerging brands? The hosts break it down. They also ponder beef tallow’s potential to power a fried food revival and highlight new mushroom lattes, clean-label cookies and sparkling teas. Show notes: 0:35: A Future Chicago. L.A. Is Near. We’re So Energized, But Why? Beefy Frites. Oats, Roots & Citrus. – The hosts share updates on recent and upcoming Taste Radio...
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The ‘Hour’ Of Change Has Come. And A Marvel Hero Is At The Helm.
Taste Radio
What happens when a Marvel superhero and an indie filmmaker ditch the script and attempt to build the next great beverage brand? In this episode, actor Wyatt Russell – best known for his role as U.S. Agent in the Marvel film “Thunderbolts” – and producer Richard Peete pull back the curtain on their journey launching Lake Hour, a fast-growing canned cocktail brand that’s making waves far beyond the red carpet. What began as a lighthearted idea in a hot tub quickly evolved into a deep dive into flavor formulation, production logistics, and the steep learning curve of the beverage...
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Why Is Gen Z Obsessed With BFY Frozen Foods? We’ve Come Undone.
Taste Radio
Gen Z is reshaping the frozen food game… and they’re not settling for TV dinners. But while they’re hungry for health and convenience, there's a catch: the price tag. Can wellness-focused frozen meals stay accessible, or are they becoming a luxury in disguise? The hosts discuss, and also sample Korean-style hard seltzers, culturally-inspired craft sodas and a potentially game-changing brand of non-alcoholic spirits. Show notes: 0:35: Voice Nail. A Notable List. Investors Here. Bites & Chews. So Long, Stouffer’s. Trash Panda. NA Negronis. – The hosts chat about disliking the sound...
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Elevator Talk: Sohha Savory, Coro Foods, La Pêche, SaladSprinkles, Cedar F&B
Taste Radio
The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Sohha Savory, Coro Foods, La Pêche, SaladSprinkles, and Cedar F&B. In this installment, founders and CEOs introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week’s special co-host is Beth Brown, founder and principal advisor at growth-stage consultancy S3 Connect. She offers insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and strategic perspective alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of the Taste Radio podcast. Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are...
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People First, Tacos Second. The Culture That Built Torchy’s.
Taste Radio
When Mike Rypka launched Torchy’s Tacos out of a trailer in Austin, he wasn’t thinking about private equity or market expansion. He just wanted to serve “damn good tacos.” Fast forward to today, and Torchy’s has grown into a revered fast-casual chain with national ambitions, fueled by strategic investment and a fiercely loyal customer base. But the real engine behind the brand’s success isn’t just craveable food. It’s culture. Torchy’s differentiates itself through scratch-made food and a willingness to take creative risks with its menu. Behind the scenes is a deeply...
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Hey Pepsi, We Remain Perplexed. But These Brands Straight Slapp.
Taste Radio
What’s the point of PepsiCo’s new sub-line of prebiotic colas? Is it addressing genuine consumer demand for functional ingredients, or just riding the wellness wave? The hosts once again weigh in. They also highlight emerging shot brands gaining traction and take a closer look at how the viral “WaterTok” phenomenon may have influenced Keurig Dr Pepper’s acquisition of Dyla Brands. Show notes: 0:25: Take Two. Fun > Function. We Gotta Have More Ginger. Sturring The Pot. Thin Or Thick? Mike Takes A Hit. – The team kicks things off with behind-the-scenes banter, including a powdered...
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A Tip From A Top Brand? Quality & Convenience Are Essential.
Taste Radio
Convenience and quality don’t always go hand in hand, but Tip Top Cocktails is changing that perception, one perfectly crafted drink at a time. Founded in 2019, Tip Top is an Atlanta-based brand known for its spirit-forward, bar-quality offerings. Childhood friends Yoni Reisman and Neal Cohen launched the company with a simple mission: make great cocktails more accessible, no bartender required. Tip Top’s lineup includes time-honored classics like the Old Fashioned, Negroni, and Margarita, as well as modern favorites such as the Paper Plane, Penicillin, and Naked & Famous. Each...
info_outlineWhy 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: The Biggest Apple. Pin It, Emma. Hey, Big Food - Why Now? Gamey-Time. Clear Use Case. – The hosts review the recently held BevNET Live Summer 2025 in New York City and how the event reflected a sense of positive energy throughout the beverage industry as well as the growing power of founder-driven innovation to meet modern consumer demands. They also discuss Pinterest's foray into e-commerce via a co-branded coffee launch with Emma Chamberlain along with Kraft Heinz’s decision to remove artificial dyes by 2026 and whether companies should act proactively in response to clean label trends. Mike busts out some Berski, a new brand of ancestral meat sticks made with beef liver and heart, while John highlights Brightland’s new line of everyday olive oils.
26:06: Interview: Maura Duggan, Founder & CEO, Fancypants Baking Co. – Maura shares her journey from baking decorative cookies in her apartment in 2004 to launching a full-fledged CPG brand in 2024. She discusses the company's transition from fresh bakery sales to packaged consumer goods, emphasizing their commitment to high-quality, nut-free ingredients and their signature small, crunchy cookies. Maura highlights the strategic use of bright red packaging and a playful peacock mascot to stand out on shelves, the importance of limited-edition flavors to keep consumers engaged, and the advantages of self-manufacturing.
41:45: Interview: Alison Elliott, Founder & CEO, Farmer Foodie – Alison talks about the origins of Farmer Foodie, which is known for its shelf-stable, dairy-free and gluten-free Cashew Parm products, her background in farming and social impact and how she started Farmer Foodie as a food blog and transformed it into a CPG company during the pandemic. Alison also discusses overcoming the challenges of landing retail placement, differentiating in a nascent category, and her products’ appeal beyond vegan consumers.
Brands in this episode: Fancypants Baking Co., Farmer Foodie, Olipop, Liquid Death, Chamberlain Coffee, Top Of The Mornin’, Jell-O, Crystal Light, Kool-Aid, Berski, Archer, Yaza, Brightland, Graza, Mariona, Brez, Cann, Moshi, Kif