The New Premium Mindset. Why Quality Matters More Than Ever.
Taste Radio
As consumers increasingly prioritize quality, functionality and authenticity, brands across food, beverage and wine are redefining what premium means. The hosts explore this evolving dynamic and spotlight innovative brands shaping the future of refreshment and snacking. The episode also features an interview with Jordi Viñals, the managing director of acclaimed Spanish winery Marqués de Vargas. Show notes: 0:20: We’re 30. Eat Your Energy. Pop Up. Chewish Treats & Key Lime ‘Jous.’ Nuttiness Reigns. – The hosts celebrate BevNET’s 30th anniversary, reflecting on its evolution from...
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From Oatly To Lasso. How A Veteran CEO Is Building Real Differentiation in CPG.
Taste Radio
Innovation is everywhere, but the majority of what consumers see is incremental change. What does it mean to do something meaningfully different? Lasso is attempting to answer that question. In this episode, CEO Mike Messersmith, the former Oatly executive who helped turn oat milk into a cultural phenomenon, shares how his company is rethinking food from the ground up with breakthrough technology that delivers high-protein, clean-label snacks without compromise. From its origins as a plant-based meat startup to launching creative new brands like Cronch Club and Froobies, Lasso is using...
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Fave, Phony & Fading. Brands, Deals & Trends Defining CPG.
Taste Radio
A brilliant pitch slam, a buzzy non-alcoholic cocktail acquisition and the quiet decline of meal kits – the hosts break down where CPG is actually gaining (and losing) momentum. In this episode, we recap Naturally San Diego’s Naturally Rising competition, dig into The Wine Group’s acquisition of Phony Negroni maker St. Agrestis, and examine how convenience, subscription fatigue, and tools like product-scanning apps are reshaping consumer behavior – and forcing brands to adapt fast. Show notes: 0:20: SoCal & Show. Wine Not NA? Hot Meals, Not So Hot. Yuk, What’s In Here? Tofu...
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Elevator Talk: Farmwell, umma juice, Last Rep, Madpop, Afropop
Taste Radio
The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Farmwell, umma juice, Last Rep, Madpop and Afropop. The founders and operators introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week’s special co-host is Madeline Haydon, the founder of Nutpods. Madeline 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 episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation...
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Discipline, Not Dollars. How Paul Hobbs Builds Global, Enduring Brands.
Taste Radio
Building a lasting business in a volatile market isn’t easy – just ask Paul Hobbs. In this episode, the renowned winemaker and founder of Paul Hobbs Wines shares what it takes to scale a global enterprise while staying anchored to sustainable farming, and minimal-intervention practices amid a capital-intensive, ever-evolving industry. He explains why capital discipline and patience matter more than hype - and how a commitment to authenticity can transform a craft into a durable, long-term brand. Show notes: 0:20: Paul Hobbs, Founder, Paul Hobbs Wines – On location at the 2026...
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The Grüns Boom, Peak Protein & Water’s Shifting Health Halo
Taste Radio
Grüns landed a $1.2 billion acquisition less than three years after launch. Added protein still dominates shelf space – but how much runway does the trend really have left? Meanwhile, bottled water is facing growing scrutiny as its long-standing “health halo” begins to crack. We unpack the headlines and trends shaping innovation across food and beverage – and what they reveal about where CPG is headed next. Show notes: 0:20: Brad Is Back. Big Green Deal. Do We Need Protein In This? On To Austin. The Plastic Problem. – BevNET and Nosh senior reporter Brad Avery joins the show as the...
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The Playbook That Turned Nutrabolt Into A Billion-Dollar Disruptor
Taste Radio
What does it take to turn a scrappy supplement startup into a billion-dollar beverage powerhouse competing with industry giants? In this episode, Nutrabolt founder & CEO Doss Cunningham breaks down the inflection points that turned C4 into a cultural contender. From capital discipline to distribution-first thinking, Doss shares hard-earned tactical advice, including why he advises founders not to overspend on marketing before your product is widely available, the importance of focusing on high-margin categories to fund growth, investing early in product innovation, and prioritizing talent...
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How CPG Shelves Are Becoming A Sensory Battlefield
Taste Radio
Packaging and color have always influenced buying decisions, but in today’s CPG landscape they’re becoming two of the most powerful levers – capable of shaping perceived flavor and even determining whether a product makes it into the cart. In this episode, the hosts explore how Kind Snacks’ shift to paper wrappers surfaced unexpected changes in taste perception, while the explosive rise of ube and other visually striking ingredients underscores how “camera-ready” products are driving real demand. It’s a deep dive into how sensory cues and social media aesthetics are...
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Elevator Talk: Sleet Pops, Dime, Joy Supply, Sidepiece
Taste Radio
The latest episode of Taste Radio’s Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Sleet Pops, Dime, Joy Supply and Sidepiece. The founders and operators introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones. This week’s special co-host is Wade Yenny, the Vice President of Brand Management & Business Development for Vdriven. He 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...
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Building An Under The Radar Superstar. How Toom Is Taking Over.
Taste Radio
After more than a decade of grinding in obscurity – including years of failed commercialization attempts and even living in his brother’s basement – Toom founder and CEO Matt Joyce is finally turning a humble garlic dip into one of the fastest-growing CPG brands in America. In this conversation, Matt reveals how he transformed a beloved Lebanese staple into a mainstream condiment, why he stayed under the radar for years, and how a relentless focus on flavor, branding and persistence helped him break through with major retailers and build a family-run success story. Show notes:...
info_outlineBillion-dollar deals, breakout brands, and “crazy ideas” that actually worked. The hosts dive into a wave of recent CPG acquisitions and what they signal for founders. Plus, a look at brands going global, a buzzworthy Negroni-inspired sparkling water, and a conversation with industry veteran Jeff Church and “Peaky Blinders” actor Matthew Postlethwaite on their upstart protein soda brand, Proda.
Show notes:
0:20: Registration Reminder. Linked Deals. Pond Crossing. Lapping It Up. Mex-BBQ. – The hosts kick off with reminders about upcoming Taste Radio and BevNET events before diving into recent acquisitions involving Huel, Monaco RTD cocktails, and Dirty Shirley. They note that these deals underscore the importance of long-term persistence, strong execution, and adapting to shifting consumer trends, emphasizing that most brands take years to reach such milestones. The conversation also touches on the challenges of expanding between the U.S. and U.K., highlighting how cultural differences and varying levels of consumer familiarity can influence success. Later, Ray shares sips of Lapo’s latest opus, Melissa spotlights an innovative tea, and John features a flavorful nut butter and Mexican BBQ sauces, the latter sparking a broader discussion about the rise of similar products.
30:29: Interview: Jeff Church & Matthew Postlethwaite, Co-Founders, Proda – On location at Expo West 2026, Jeff and Matthew talk about how Proda was designed to deliver nutrition in a lighter, refreshing format. They discuss the inspiration behind the brand, their focus on taste and positioning, and how they’re approaching a competitive beverage landscape with an exclusive Sprouts launch.
Brands in this episode: Proda, Huel, Monaco Cocktails, Dirty Shirley, Soylent, Sunnie, RXBAR, Vitaminwater, Goodles, Pop Chips, Liquid Death, Living Things, XOXO, Peeps, Crush, Slice, Suja, Lapo’s, Sanzo, Mabi Tea, Bachan’s, Ground Up, Paco Jones, Arriba, Tia Lupita, Tierra Negra, Oh My Dessert Butters, Olipop, Poppi, Rowdy Energy