Market Plate

Mike Wangbickler
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Market Plate is the premier podcast designed exclusively for Food & Beverage leaders who are navigating a rapidly evolving industry landscape. With over two decades of proven expertise in scaling premium wine and spirits brands, our podcast delivers in-depth conversations with top executives—from founders to C-suite decision-makers—focusing on the challenges and opportunities unique to the F&B category. Market Plate is your blueprint for success—where industry evolution meets executive expertise, enabling you to drive sustainable growth and premium positioning in the dynamic F&B marketplace.

  1. 2025-08-20

    Episode 25 - Bashir Chedrawee - Simone's Kitchen

    In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Bashir Chedrawee, the founder of Simone's Kitchen, a fast-casual restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine. Bashir shares his journey from aspiring medical professional to food entrepreneur, detailing how he and his mother created a unique dining experience that emphasizes wholesome, affordable food. The conversation explores the importance of hospitality, workplace culture, and the challenges of running a restaurant, as well as effective marketing strategies and the role of technology in the food industry. Bashir offers valuable insights for aspiring restaurant owners, emphasizing the need for resilience, adaptability, and a focus on both customer and employee satisfaction. Takeaways Bashir transitioned from a medical career to food entrepreneurship.Simone's Kitchen focuses on Mediterranean cuisine and meza bowls.The restaurant industry is hungry for healthy, affordable options.Hospitality and workplace culture are crucial for success.Resilience and adaptability are key traits for entrepreneurs.Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool.Balancing quality and affordability is essential in food service.Technology can streamline operations but isn't always necessary.Listening to customer feedback is vital for improvement.Creating a happy team is as important as serving customers.

    25 min
  2. Episode 24 - Lisa Hurwitz - HAPPI

    2025-08-19

    Episode 24 - Lisa Hurwitz - HAPPI

    In this episode of Market Plate, Michael Wangbickler speaks with Lisa Hurwitz from HAPPI about the emerging market of THC beverages. They discuss the unique product offerings of HAPPI, which focus on low-dose, hemp-derived THC drinks designed for women. Lisa explains the differences between hemp-derived and cannabis-derived THC, the competitive landscape, and the importance of consumer education. They also explore the future of the THC beverage category and provide insights for new entrants in the market. Takeaways Lisa Hurwitz transitioned from a 20-year CPG career to the cannabis industry in 2018.HAPPY focuses on low-dose beverages designed for relaxation and socializing.The brand aims to empower women and reduce the stigma around cannabis.HAPPY's products are all under 10 milligrams of THC, catering to a more cautious consumer.The competitive landscape for THC beverages is rapidly evolving with many new entrants.Education is crucial for consumers new to THC beverages.The future of the THC beverage category may involve more regulation and sophisticated formulations.HAPPI's branding is designed to be fun and appealing to women.The company emphasizes product safety and transparency with testing and QR codes.Lisa advises new entrants to avoid distractions and maintain a clear brand strategy.

    24 min

  3. 2025-06-06

    Episode 23 - Bruce Osterhaven - Big O Smokehouse

    In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler interviews Bruce Osterhaven from Big O, a company specializing in smoked fish products. Bruce shares the origins of the company, founded by his grandfather and father, and discusses the challenges and opportunities in the seafood industry, including sourcing, quality control, and market trends. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to consumer demands for convenience and sustainability while navigating the complexities of sales and marketing in a multi-generational business. Bruce also offers insights into the challenges faced by the seafood industry, including pricing fluctuations and regulatory considerations, and shares valuable advice for those in similar business situations. Takeaways Big O was founded in 1997 by Bruce's grandfather and father.The company specializes in smoked fish products, particularly white fish spread.Sourcing high-quality fish is crucial for product integrity.Seafood prices have significantly increased over the years due to various factors.Consumer demand is shifting towards convenience and sustainability in food products.Big O's sales are split between retail and food service markets.The seafood industry faces unique challenges, including tariffs and environmental issues.Marketing and brand recognition are essential for growth in the seafood sector.Multi-generational businesses require adaptability and strong leadership.Taking care of personal well-being is vital for effective leadership.

    20 min

  4. 2025-06-06

    Episode 22 - Jared Smith - Perfect Hydration

    In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Jared Smith, Executive Vice President of Perfect Hydration, about the challenges and opportunities in the food and beverage industry, particularly focusing on the alkaline water market. They discuss the company's journey, sustainability efforts, marketing strategies, and the importance of adapting to consumer demands and market trends. Jared shares insights on navigating supply chain issues, leveraging data for growth, and the competitive landscape of the beverage industry. Takeaways Perfect Hydration is one of the fastest growing waters in the country.The brand focuses on sustainability by sourcing all materials domestically.Aluminum packaging is being explored for its recyclability.The shift to bulk water has been a successful pivot for the brand.Listening to consumer demands is crucial for product development.Marketing strategies include partnerships with influencers and retail promotions.Navigating supply chain challenges requires flexibility and real-time forecasting.The brand aims for SKU proliferation to increase market presence.Data-driven insights are essential for growth and retailer engagement.Competition in the beverage industry is collaborative rather than adversarial.

    23 min

  5. 2025-05-17

    Episode 21 - Kim Gandhi - Food Fire + Knives

    In this episode of Market Plate, host Mike Wangbickler speaks with Kim Gandhi, founder of Food Fire Knives, about the private chef industry. They discuss the unique experience private chefs offer compared to traditional catering, the business model of Food Fire Knives, and the growth of the private chef market post-pandemic. Kim shares insights on navigating supply chain challenges, innovations in the marketplace, and what customers should expect when hiring a private chef. The conversation also touches on marketing strategies and future goals for the business. Takeaways Private chefs provide a more personalized dining experience than caterers.Food Fire Knives acts as a broker between customers and chefs.The private chef industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years.Chefs on the platform can set their own prices and menus.The service includes insurance and customer support for chefs.Private chefs often bring their own ingredients and equipment.The pandemic led to a surge in demand for private chefs.Local sourcing helps mitigate supply chain issues.Customer expectations should include background checks and food safety certifications.Marketing efforts are crucial for attracting new customers.

    27 min

  6. 2025-05-16

    Episode 20 - Jason Burke - New Primal

    In this conversation, Michael Wangbickler interviews Jason Burke, the founder of a successful meat snacks company. Jason shares his unexpected journey into the food industry, driven by personal experiences with health and nutrition. He discusses the challenges of entrepreneurship, including funding, supply chain issues, and the importance of maintaining core values while adapting to consumer demands. Jason emphasizes the need for focus in business strategy and the significance of leveraging e-commerce platforms like Amazon for growth. The conversation concludes with valuable insights and advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in the food and beverage sector. Takeaways The journey into the food industry can be unexpected.Personal health experiences can drive business innovation.Entrepreneurs must learn to navigate challenges in real-time.Funding is crucial for sustaining a food business.Product evolution is key to meeting market demands.Supply chain issues can significantly impact product availability.Maintaining core values is essential amidst challenges.Focus on one sales channel before expanding to others.E-commerce platforms are vital for modern business success.Transparency with consumers builds trust and loyalty.

    30 min

  7. 2025-05-16

    Episode 19 - Katherine Harvey - Bare Bones

    In this episode of Market Plate, host Michael Wangbickler speaks with Katherine Harvey, co-founder of Bare Bones, about the evolution of their bone broth products, the challenges of navigating the food and beverage industry, and the importance of protein in consumer diets. They discuss the market strategy that led to their success in major retailers, the impact of economic conditions on supply chains, and the future initiatives for the brand. Katherine shares insights on consumer trends and the significance of providing food that is both nutritious and flavorful. Takeaways Katherine Harvey is a former journalist who co-founded Bare Bones.Bare Bones started with liquid bone broth and now focuses on instant bone broth.Bone broth is a nutritious alternative to traditional stock, rich in protein.Consumers are using bone broth for both sipping and cooking.The instant bone broth is convenient and shelf-stable, appealing to on-the-go consumers.Bare Bones has partnered with major retailers like Costco and Amazon for distribution.The company focuses on in-store marketing and retail media for visibility.Economic conditions and tariffs are impacting supply chains significantly.Protein consumption is a growing trend among consumers, driven by health awareness.Bare Bones is planning a brand evolution to align with its current market position.

    21 min

  8. 2025-05-16

    Episode 18 - Jimmy Kleiman - Uncle Arnie's

    In this episode of Market Plate, Michael Wangbickler speaks with Jimmy Kleiman, COO of Uncle Arnie's, about the evolving landscape of THC beverages. They discuss the company's journey since its inception in 2020, the trends driving growth in the THC beverage market, and the importance of consumer education. Jimmy shares insights on dosage equivalency to alcohol, the challenges of distribution and marketing in a heavily regulated industry, and the innovative subscription model that Uncle Arnie's has implemented. The conversation highlights the need for adaptability in the cannabis sector and the exciting potential for THC beverages in the mainstream market. Takeaways Uncle Arnie's launched in 2020, focusing on THC beverages.The company aims to make cannabis beverages accessible and enjoyable.THC beverages are gaining popularity as healthier alternatives to alcohol.The market is seeing exponential growth, especially in hemp-derived products.Consumer curiosity is driving the demand for THC beverages.Understanding dosage is crucial for safe consumption of THC drinks.The company has experienced significant growth, expanding from 8 to over 50 employees.Distribution strategies focus on partnerships with select distributors.Marketing efforts include in-store promotions and engaging brand presentations.Data collection in the THC industry is still developing, relying on distributor feedback.

    23 min
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Om

Market Plate is the premier podcast designed exclusively for Food & Beverage leaders who are navigating a rapidly evolving industry landscape. With over two decades of proven expertise in scaling premium wine and spirits brands, our podcast delivers in-depth conversations with top executives—from founders to C-suite decision-makers—focusing on the challenges and opportunities unique to the F&B category. Market Plate is your blueprint for success—where industry evolution meets executive expertise, enabling you to drive sustainable growth and premium positioning in the dynamic F&B marketplace.

Information

  • Skapad av
    Mike Wangbickler
  • Aktiva år
    2 tn
  • Avsnitt
    25
  • Åldersgräns
    Vuxet innehåll
  • Copyright
    © Mike Wangbickler
  • Programmets webbplats
    Market Plate