In this episode of Eat for the Planet, Matt de Gruyter, CEO and co-founder of Next Level Burger, discusses the brand’s significant progress since 2018, including the acquisition and turnaround of Veggie Grill, its ambitious expansion goals, and the evolving plant-based food landscape. Matt reflects on combating misinformation, balancing operational discipline with a strong work culture, and creating a sustainable, compassionate food system while emphasizing the critical role of leadership and persistence in driving long-term change.

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In this episode of the Eat for the Planet podcast, Nil Zacharias speaks with Alicia Kennedy, author of No Meat Required, about challenging meat’s dominance in the food system and exploring the cultural, culinary, and systemic shifts needed to create meaningful change. They discuss how plant-based eating, rooted in countercultural movements, can serve as a force for transformation while navigating the challenges of identity, desirability, and accessibility. Alicia critiques the focus on hyper-realistic meat substitutes and advocates for a return to celebrating vegetables, grains, and whole foods as a path to reimagining food systems. She emphasizes the importance of community-driven food and the need for systemic solutions that address labor, access, and sustainability.

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In this episode of Eat for the Planet, Nil Zacharias engages with Indy Kaur, founder of Plant Futures Collective, to discuss her path in the food industry, her pivotal work at Tesco, and her current mission to drive plant-based adoption. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in the plant-based food sector, emphasizing trust-building, storytelling, and collective action to overcome barriers to consumer adoption and create a sustainable future.

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In this episode of Eat for the Planet, Sami Nabulsi, founder of Pythag Tech, explores the intersection of innovation, politics, and progress in the cultivated meat industry. Drawing from his transition from finance to food tech, Sami shares his vision for the future of cultivated meat, including its potential to reshape global food systems and address critical challenges like sustainability, scalability, and national security. The discussion delves into overcoming technical and regulatory hurdles, combating misinformation and political resistance, and fostering collaboration with traditional meat industry players to unlock new opportunities.

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In this episode of Eat for the Planet, Maisie Ganzler, former Chief Strategy and Brand Officer at Bon Appétit Management Company (BAMCO), reflects on her 30 years of leadership at the forefront of sustainability. She discusses BAMCO’s approach to balancing customer needs with supplier realities, lessons learned from the company’s early adoption of plant-based alternatives, and the critical role of storytelling in driving meaningful change. Drawing on her book, You Can’t Market Manure at Lunchtime, Maisie shares insights into the successes and missteps of the plant-based movement, the potential of ingredient-focused innovations, and the importance of defining clear sustainability values. With candid reflections, she offers lessons and hope for building a more resilient and sustainable food system.

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Palak Patel is an award-winning chef, best-selling author, and a dynamic force in the movement for sustainable food systems. In this episode, Palak reflects on her personal and professional evolution, highlighting food’s role as an emotional and cultural connector. Drawing from her cookbook Food is Love, she discusses how emotion drives her cooking and offers insights into the challenges of transitioning from traditional meat-based diets to plant-based alternatives while preserving cultural identity.

Palak also delves into pressing food system issues like waste reduction and the role of chefs in driving innovation and sustainability. She emphasizes the importance of bridging culinary expertise with systems thinking to create meaningful impact. The conversation touches on meat’s deep cultural ties, the need for emotional storytelling in food, and her hopes for the future of food systems.

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In this thought-provoking episode of Eat for the Planet, Nil Zacharias is joined by Michelle Adelman, an entrepreneur and innovator in the food industry. Michelle reflects on her journey from leading the plant-based food platform Infinite Foods in Africa to founding Crossover Meats, a company that blends chicken and beef to create a more sustainable and scalable meat product. Through candid insights, Michelle discusses the challenges, opportunities, and complexities of reshaping the global food system.

#95 - Infinite Foods: How Plant-Based Protein Can be a Positive Catalyst for Change in Afric‪a‬

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Overthrow Hospitality is an award-winning plant-based food and beverage hospitality group with ten unique venues offering elevated dining and drinking experiences to the socially conscious consumer.

In this episode, Ravi Derossi, Founder and CEO of Overthrow Hospitality discusses the company's evolution into a fully plant-based hospitality group with an innovative approach to dining. He reflects on the challenges and triumphs of creating exceptional dining experiences that resonate with both plant-based and meat-eating audiences, while sharing insights on the broader food landscape and their ambitious plans for expansion.

Overthrow Hospitality is currently fundraising on StartEngine. Find out how you can become an investor.

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#21 - Art Meets Purpose: Designing Conscious Food Experiences With Ravi DeRossi

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In this episode, Sorosh Tavakoli, the CEO of Stockeld Dreamery shares his journey from tech to founding Stockeld Dreamery, a plant-based cheese company. He highlights the shortcomings of plant-based cheese—poor taste, texture, and nutrition—and discusses Stockeld’s innovative approach using fermented legume proteins to create better products. Sarosh reflects on industry challenges, from manufacturing delays to shifting market dynamics, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and adaptability in overcoming obstacles. He also reflects on the complexities of balancing innovation with the practical challenges of transforming consumer habits.

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This episode features Steve Molino, Partner & Head of Investments at Clear Current Capital, an early-stage venture capital firm focused on catalyzing sustainable change in the food system.

The conversation focuses on the state of the alternative protein industry and its potential to transform the global food system. Steve shares his journey into impact investing, insights into the challenges facing plant-based and cultivated meats, and his perspective on the future of sustainable food innovation. The discussion explores consumer demand, global market dynamics, and the importance of refining investment strategies to drive real impact.

Music: Endless Inspiration (Vibe Street Mix)

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