Taste Radio

BevNET Inc.
  • 4.9 (221)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Weekly

The top podcast for anyone building a business in food or beverage, BevNET's Taste Radio features interviews with the leaders and rising stars of our fast-evolving industry. The shows also include discussion on emerging trends, innovation and news of the week from our regular cadre of hosts from the BevNET and NOSH teams. Tell us what you think at ask@tasteradio.com. You can also email us if you are interested in Taste Radio sponsorship opportunities. And if you like the podcast, share it with a colleague, will ya?

  1. 15m ago

    How A Lifestyle-First Strategy Puts Gratzi In A Category of Its Own

    The best CPG brands don't just sell products; they change how consumers think about a category.  Stephen Vlahos, founder and CEO of Gratzi, is doing exactly that by challenging decades-old perceptions of boxed wine and making premium wine more accessible, convenient and affordable. In this episode, Stephen shares how distinctive packaging, product quality and a compelling value proposition helped Gratzi win over consumers. He also talks about how lifestyle-driven storytelling can build loyalty beyond the product itself, and how e-commerce and retail can fuel each other's growth.  Stephen also shares lessons in building an authentic brand, creating new consumption occasions and knowing when to extend into adjacent categories like olive oil. Show notes: 0:20: Stephen Vlahos, Founder & CEO, Gratsi – Stephen discusses how, after years running a software logistics business, a trip to Sicily, southern Greece and Crete inspired him to build a wine brand around Southern Europe's relaxed approach to food and living. He explains why Gratzi launched with bag-in-box wine during COVID, the format's advantages in shipping and freshness, and how the brand challenges boxed wine's negative perception through quality, distinctive packaging and consumer education. He also discusses its premium positioning, zero-sugar credentials and strategy of targeting consumers accustomed to spending 15–20 on a bottle. Stephen shares how retail expansion has complemented Gratzi's e-commerce business and introduced the brand to new shoppers. The conversation explores how Gratzi builds loyalty by positioning wine as an everyday staple and promoting its lifestyle through recipes, cooking shows, playlists, merchandise and travel experiences. Vlahos discusses the importance of authentic storytelling, a distinct brand personality and consistent quality in earning consumer trust. Finally, he explains Gratzi's expansion into zero-sugar sparkling wines and olive oil, a natural extension of its Southern European food culture. He shares the opportunity to educate consumers about olive oil freshness, early response to the launch and the importance of keeping brand extensions aligned with the company's core identity. Brands in this episode: Gratsi

    How A Lifestyle-First Strategy Puts Gratzi In A Category of Its Own

  2. 4d ago

    The Business Of Buzz & A Relentless TRIP

    As consumers rethink traditional beverage alcohol, where should founders look for the next big opportunity? And what separates a promising brand from one that investors are eager to back? In this episode, explore the rapid growth of RTD cocktails, what's driving demand, where opportunities remain, and why convenience and affordability alone may not be enough to differentiate brands in an increasingly crowded market. We also examine the emerging market for alcohol alternatives featuring functional ingredients like kratom, kava and kanna, and whether these products could gain traction amid uncertainty surrounding cannabis-based beverages. Plus, we revisit three conversations from Taste Radio's London meetup, featuring TRIP co-founder Liv Ferdi and investors Robin Longes, co-founder of Culture & Commerce Partners, and Elysia Kleine Deters of Media for Growth. From celebrity partnerships and U.S. expansion to building brands that attract investment, they share insights on what it takes to turn emerging CPG businesses into lasting brands. Show notes: 0:20: Craving L.A. Jet Set. RTD Revolution. Functional Fragmentation. Cannabis Crunch. – The episode opens with a preview of upcoming BevNET, Nosh and Brewbound events in Los Angeles, including Ray's live Taste Radio interview with Cravings founder Chrissy Teigen at Nosh Live. The hosts also revisit last week's discussion about Jetty, before the conversation shifts to the growing RTD cocktail category, exploring how convenience, affordability and expanding flavor options are driving consumer interest. The hosts debate whether the surge represents a lasting shift in drinking habits and examine the challenges facing brands such as Minute Maid Spiked, particularly around brand authenticity and consumer expectations. The hosts then explore the emerging market for functional beverages featuring THC, kratom, kava and kanna. They discuss consumer education, regulatory uncertainty and the challenges of building mainstream appeal around unfamiliar ingredients, while considering whether these products could benefit from restrictions on hemp-derived THC beverages. Finally, the hosts compare the long-term potential of cannabis beverages with traditional alcohol and other functional alternatives, examining generational shifts in drinking habits and the evolving definition of social drinking. 32:02: Interviews from Taste Radio's London Meetup – Olivia Ferdi, co-founder of TRIP, discusses the brand's rapid growth, U.S. expansion and partnership with Kendall Jenner, exploring celebrity equity partnerships, consumer loyalty and the challenges of building awareness for the emerging calm beverage category. She also shares lessons on entrepreneurship, ambitious thinking and maintaining balance. The conversation then turns to funding, as Robin Longes of Culture & Commerce Partners explains what makes brands investable, when to raise capital and how to find aligned investors. Finally, Elysia Kleine Deters of Media for Growth breaks down how brands can exchange equity for media and the key metrics her firm looks for, from repeat purchase and retail velocity to product-market fit. Brands in this episode: Cravings by Chrissy Teigen, Snackish, SmartSweets, Elavi, Carbone Fine Food, Jetty, Poppi, Tip Top Cocktails, Straightaway Cocktails, Post Meridiem, Whitebox Cocktails, White Claw, Hellbent, Minute Maid, Myce, Numuti, Louie Louie, Coca-Cola, TRIP, Moju

    The Business Of Buzz & A Relentless TRIP

  3. 5d ago

    Picking The Next CPG Winners: Four Brands Make Their Pitch

    In the latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk, leaders from four emerging CPG brands -- Noodo, Ciao, Beest Snacks and Guac Shop -- introduce their businesses, share what's changed since launch and offer a look at where they're headed next. Joining regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of Taste Radio, is Rick Field, the founder of CPG consultancy Pickles & Soup and food brand Rick's Picks, who brings sharp questions, candid feedback and founder's perspective to each pitch. Want to put your brand in front of experienced CPG operators and investors? Applications are open for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and founders get the chance to pitch their products, share company news and get unfiltered feedback from industry leaders. Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

    Picking The Next CPG Winners: Four Brands Make Their Pitch

  4. Nov 3

    How Celsius Stays Hot — And Avoids Getting Burned by Its Own Growth

    Growth can expose every weakness in a business, from cash flow and hiring to product focus and decision-making. For founders, knowing how to scale without losing control may be the hardest part of building a brand. In this episode, Celsius CEO John Fieldly shares hard-won lessons from helping transform the energy drink brand into a nearly $3 billion beverage platform. He explains why founders shouldn't scale too quickly, how to evaluate new opportunities without losing sight of the core business, and where AI can make a meaningful operational difference. He also reflects on missteps, the importance of financial discipline, and the leadership changes required as a company grows. Show notes: 0:20: John Fieldly, CEO, Celsius – John reflects on his nearly 15 years at Celsius, emphasizing the importance of building emotional connections with consumers, maintaining distinct brand identities and adapting operations as the company approaches a $3 billion run rate and expands internationally. John discusses balancing growth with financial discipline, empowering experienced leaders and learning from past positioning decisions, including Celsius Vibe's expansion away from the brand's fruit-forward, fitness-oriented roots. He cautions founders against scaling too quickly and describes Celsius's disciplined approach to innovation, using a stage-gate process to evaluate consumer demand, category potential and repeat purchases. The conversation also explores how Celsius is applying AI to sales routing, supply-chain reporting, freight logistics and demand forecasting, accelerating some analyses from weeks to hours through employee training and tools including ChatGPT and Claude. Finally, John addresses the pressures of leading a public company with nearly 1,500 employees and outlines his ambition to grow Celsius Holdings' energy drink market share from approximately 20% to 25% and eventually 30%. He underscores the importance of accountability, open communication, constructive disagreement, financial discipline and learning from experienced mentors. Brands in this episode: Celsius, Alani Nu, Rockstar

    How Celsius Stays Hot — And Avoids Getting Burned by Its Own Growth

  5. Oct 30

    Has Liquid Death Lost Its Edge? And, Is Jetty Real?

    Can a brand be too good at being disruptive?  Liquid Death built a billion-dollar business by challenging convention, but as its collaborations multiply and its products move beyond water, some are questioning whether the brand has lost its edge. We debate whether Liquid Death is evolving or jumping the shark, and what its journey reveals about building a brand that stands out and stays relevant.  Plus, we dig into Jetty, the new hydration brand from Poppi founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth, unpack its mysterious early appearance at Whole Foods, recap our London meetup and sample several new products riding the apple flavor wave. Show notes: 0:20: English Evening. More Meetups*. JettSetters. Death By 1,000 Collabs? Apple, Not Autumn. – The hosts recap Taste Radio's London meetup, discuss the strength of the U.K.'s emerging CPG community, highlight several participating brands and thank the event's hosts and sponsors. They also look ahead to the 2027 meetup series and preview the upcoming Nosh Live, BevNET Live and Brewbound Live events in Marina del Rey. The conversation then turns to Jetty, the new hydration and electrolyte brand from Poppi founders Allison and Stephen Ellsworth. The hosts examine the brand's early product and packaging imagery amid reported sightings at a Whole Foods in New York City. They discuss the brand's positioning as an everyday hydration product, its formulation and design, and whether the attention surrounding its initial reveal is intentional marketing or simply an unconventional product rollout. The hosts then debate whether Liquid Death is losing some of its edge, prompted by a recent essay questioning the brand's cultural relevance and its recent collaboration with Pop-Tarts. They consider whether the brand's shock-driven marketing has begun to lose its impact and the challenge of maintaining a distinctive identity. They also highlight Liquid Death's lasting influence on CPG branding, particularly its willingness to draw inspiration from outside the industry. Finally, the hosts sample several new products, including Journee energy drinks, Spindrift Fuji Apple sparkling water, Halfday Crisp Apple prebiotic iced tea and Day Out's limited-edition Apple Pie and Pumpkin Cheesecake protein bites. Brands in this episode: Poppi, Jetty, Liquid Death, Pop-Tarts, Grillo's Pickles, Red Bull, Monster, Death Wish Coffee, Sailor Jerry Rum, Hendrick's Gin, Rotten Candy, Lucky Energy, TRIP, Chili Maven, Living Things, Superfoodio, Kwenched, Feisty Drinks, Dash, Agua de Madre, Moju, Mother Root, Noot, Bellydance, Everystate, Journee, Spindrift, Halfday, Culture Pop, Day Out, Lemon Perfect, Recover180, David, Fly By Jing, Sparkling Ice, Weird Beverages, Rockstar

    Has Liquid Death Lost Its Edge? And, Is Jetty Real?

  6. Oct 27

    The 'Big' Case for Doing Less (and Selling More) in CPG

    For CPG founders, growth isn't always about launching more products. Sometimes, it's about doing one thing exceptionally well.  In this episode, Big Mozz founder and CEO Matt Gallira explains how that focus helped build a premium frozen food brand now sold in 7,000 retail locations, including Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegmans, H-E-B, Kroger, Meijer and Target.  He explains how food service became a critical engine for retail growth, how the company built distribution across restaurants, college campuses, sports venues and more, and why founders should resist the urge to chase every new product opportunity. Matt also shares how Big Mozz is earning a premium in a price-sensitive category and expanding its reach through a new collaboration with Sauz at Target. Show notes: 0:20: Matt Gallira, Founder & CEO, Big Mozz – Matt explains how consumer feedback at New York City's Smorgasburg market led him to transform a fresh mozzarella concept into a premium frozen food brand. After testing the concept at Smorgasburg, he expanded into festivals and events before growing Big Mozz into a manufacturer serving food service and retail customers. He reveals that food service accounts for 80% of the business, spanning restaurants, college campuses, cruise ships and entertainment venues, where partnerships drive consumer trial and support retail expansion. Having largely bootstrapped growth with limited friends-and-family and angel investment, Big Mozz relies on food service to help fund retail expansion and trade spending. Matt also discusses the brand's packaging refresh, designed to communicate quality through bold colors, appetizing imagery and recognizable ingredient cues. He outlines the company's measured approach to innovation, including spicy and ranch varieties, and its nationwide Target collaboration pairing Big Mozz Mozz Nuggets with Sauz's creamy Calabrian vodka sauce in approximately 1,500 stores. As Big Mozz expands into a broader premium frozen appetizer brand, Matt emphasizes understanding customers, delivering value and listening to feedback. Brands in this episode: Big Mozz, Sauz

    The 'Big' Case for Doing Less (and Selling More) in CPG

  7. Oct 22

    Trendspotting At U.K. Whole Foods & An Erewhon-Ish Retailer

    What does a retail tour of London reveal about consumer trends at home and abroad? From surprisingly familiar better-for-you candy to date-filled pastries finding new life as mainstream snacks, we sample the products, packaging and positioning catching our attention across the UK market. Along the way, we explore what U.S. and British brands can learn from each other about flavor, functional innovation and retail strategy — and why even a great product can get lost on the bottom shelf. This episode also features an interview with James Clark, the founder of San Francisco-based craft distillery Brucato Spirits. James shares how he's building a California-born amaro brand rooted in local ingredients, radical transparency and sustainable growth – without chasing rapid expansion or an eventual exit. Show notes: 0:20: London Bites. BFY Candy. Pick A Lane. Mo Matcha. Movin' On Up. So Fat. – The hosts sample emerging UK food and beverage brands, exploring trends in flavor, packaging, better-for-you positioning and product innovation. They begin with Yew Sparkling Water's yuzu grapefruit and pickle flavors, then try better-for-you candies Neat Sweets and Wild Thingz, noting the category's substantial retail presence. They also revisit True Dates and sample Datekind's individually wrapped, date-filled snack cakes, discussing how familiar product descriptions can make culturally rooted foods more accessible to mainstream consumers. The tasting continues with Marna's peach iced tea, prompting a discussion about how zero-sugar claims can create confusion around sweetness expectations. They praise Nudie's katsu curry cauliflower crisps and Mindfuel Flow's salted caramel mushroom latte, noting opportunities in flavorful better-for-you snacks and functional ready-to-drink beverages. They also sample Mano Massa's manchego, green olive and red bell pepper corn chips, suggesting the brand seek better shelf placement, and Kloudy's matcha lemonade, debating whether its lemon flavor justifies the name. Finally, the hosts try Fatso's thick Colombian chocolate bars with inventive inclusions and Serious Pig's truffle-flavored, high-protein snack, discussing distinctive formats and polarizing flavors.  27:53: James Clark, Co-Founder, Brucato Spirits – On location at Brucato's distillery in San Francisco's Mission District, James shares the origins of Brucato which was inspired by years lived in Italy and the flavors of Northern California. James explains how the company uses local ingredients, including California Blenheim apricots, to create distinctive spirits, while emphasizing ingredient transparency. James also discusses how consumer interest in ingredient sourcing informs the brand's marketing and innovation strategy, including limited-edition releases that showcase specific fruits and botanicals. Brands in this episode: Brucato Spirits, TRIP, Olipop, Garage Beer, Mojo Mate, Yerba Madre, Momo Kombucha, Yew, Dash, LaCroix, Polar, Neat Sweets, Behave, Wild Thingz, Rotten, True Dates, Datekind, Bakeful, Hostess, Marna, Nudie, From the Ground Up, Mindfuel Flow, Four Sigmatic, Mano Massa, Fritos, Kloudy, Fatso, Serious Pig

    Trendspotting At U.K. Whole Foods & An Erewhon-Ish Retailer

  8. Oct 21

    Going Up? What These Pitches Reveal About Breakout Potential.

    In the latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk, leaders from five emerging CPG brands --Nomaro, Bare Brew, ZZAI, NuMuti and Aire -- introduce their businesses, share what's changed since launch and offer a look at where they're headed next. Joining regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of Taste Radio, is Claire Ridge, the founder of Ridge Consulting and co-founder of Luna Bay, who brings sharp questions, candid feedback and founder's perspective to each pitch. Want to put your brand in front of experienced CPG operators and investors? Applications are open for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and founders get the chance to pitch their products, share company news and get unfiltered feedback from industry leaders. Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

    Going Up? What These Pitches Reveal About Breakout Potential.
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4.9
out of 5
221 Ratings

About

The top podcast for anyone building a business in food or beverage, BevNET's Taste Radio features interviews with the leaders and rising stars of our fast-evolving industry. The shows also include discussion on emerging trends, innovation and news of the week from our regular cadre of hosts from the BevNET and NOSH teams. Tell us what you think at ask@tasteradio.com. You can also email us if you are interested in Taste Radio sponsorship opportunities. And if you like the podcast, share it with a colleague, will ya?

Information

  • Creator
    BevNET Inc.
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    928
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Taste Radio

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