Taste Radio

Chicago's CPG scene is thriving, and we got a taste of it firsthand.

Fresh off our latest Taste Radio meetup, we spotlight the city's vibrant brand community and sample a fascinating lineup of products discovered at the highly touted, unceremoniously shuttered and ultimately resurrected Foxtrot Market. The haul includes a wildly complex salted lemonade, a Mexican-inspired sparkling tonic, a soda-meets-sparkling-water brand, a caffeine-plus-protein bar and a "chai baby."

Along the way, we unpack what these products reveal about flavor, functionality, packaging and the increasingly unconventional ways brands are competing for consumers' attention.

Show notes:

0:20: A First For Us. Chi Fourth. Pilots, Battlers, Angels. A Trot For A Haul. Eye-Popping Innovation. – Ray's hotel room becomes a temporary studio as the hosts recap Taste Radio's Chicago Meetup at Pilot Project Brewing in Logan Square, which drew about 120 founders, operators and CPG professionals. They reflect on Chicago's vibrant and increasingly influential CPG scene, including a visit to the revamped Foxtrot Market, rebuilt after its collapse in 2024. The hosts sample and discuss emerging beverage brands including Five Corners Beverage Company, Aire, Ruby and Barbet, highlighting a growing appetite for complex, distinctive flavors and unconventional combinations, particularly among brands positioned as non-alcoholic cocktails. They also explore Beanies' coated soybeans, Freeman House's microbrew chai made with Oatly and Jilly's Jerky. The conversation then turns to Hall Pass, the new better-for-you chocolate brand from RXBAR founder Peter Rahal, which is launching exclusively at Walmart and reflects his broader strategy of creating lower-calorie, lower-sugar versions of familiar foods. The episode closes with a look ahead to upcoming Taste Radio meetups in San Diego, San Francisco and London.

Brands in this episode: Five Corners Beverage Company, Aire, Ruby, Barbet, Beanies, Unhinged, Honey Mama's, Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Freeman House, Oatly, Jilly's Jerky, Hall Pass, RXBAR, David Protein, Pilot Project Brewing, Battle Bars, Ghia, Spindrift, Biena Snacks, TalkBack

Functionality is everywhere – but are consumers buying the benefit or seeing right through it?

This week, we dig into the rise of protein- and fiber-enhanced snacks from Khloud, Doritos and Smartfood, the growing buzz around colostrum, and a troubling new study on avocado oil authenticity. Plus, we explore the enduring appeal of pickle flavor, Grillo's winning collaboration strategy, premium dates and the surprising technology behind Air Up.

Show notes:

0:20: Ken's Leftovers. A Function-Forward Discussion. Educate Me. It's Not What You Bought. Slurp Up. – Ray digs into a grab bag The Beverage Whisperer left behind after his recent visit to the office, including a zero-sugar sports drink from the U.K. that sparks a conversation about better-for-you sports drinks and the growing popularity of alcoholic sports beverages. The hosts then turn to functionality, sampling Khloud's new protein- and collagen-enhanced chips, Doritos Protein chips and Smartfood Fiber popcorn. They discuss whether consumers actually care about added functionality in familiar products – or if brands are simply layering trendy benefits onto legacy favorites. The conversation continues with the growing buzz around colostrum and the education required to make sense of increasingly popular functional ingredients. The episode then moves to a troubling study on avocado oil, the enduring popularity of pickle flavor and Grillo's remarkable track record of brand collaborations, before wrapping with premium Rancho Meladucco dates and Air Up's unusual approach to flavoring water through scent.

Brands in this episode: Posca, Super Lyte, Goldilocks, Khloud, Quest, Doritos, Smartfood, Ancient Nutrition, Mission Craft Cocktails, Grillo's, Firehook, Ithaca, PBR, V8, Utz, Liquid I.V., Pop-Up Bagels, Burt's Bees, Hippeas, Rancho Meladucco Date Farm, Date Fix, Air Up, Szent

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights emerging leaders from Oddball, The Spice Drops, Good Greed, Little Twists, and Gamsa Foods, who introduce their brands, share recent company updates, and highlight key milestones.

This week's special co-host is Yola Blake Page, the founder Violet Thread Strategy, an Austin-based independent brand consultancy. Yola brings insightful questions, thoughtful feedback, and a strategic perspective to the conversation alongside regular host Ray Latif, editor and producer of Taste Radio.

Early-stage food and beverage entrepreneurs are invited to apply for future episodes of Elevator Talk. Participation is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and the series offers a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share company news, and get candid feedback from experienced industry leaders.

Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.

What makes a brand worth betting on?

Ken Sadowsky, affectionately known as "The Beverage Whisperer," returns to Taste Radio with a sharp look at where the biggest opportunities — and potential pitfalls — are emerging across the beverage category.

A senior advisor at Verlinvest, board director at Vita Coco and Icelandic Glacial, and early-stage investor in several emerging beverage brands, Ken explains why coconut water still has plenty of runway, what founders can learn from playing the long game, and why he believes colostrum could represent the next big functional beverage opportunity.

Ken also shares his perspective on the rise of caffeine-free energy, hydration, matcha, protein and functional beverages. He also offers candid takes on celebrity-backed brands, flavor versus function, packaging, category positioning and the question he asks when evaluating any new beverage.

Show notes:

0:20: Ken Sadowsky, Sr. Advisor, Verlinvest – Ken kicks things off by praising his beloved Red Sox before sharing his perspective on why coconut water has quietly become one of beverage's fastest-growing categories. He explains how strategic decisions by major beverage companies can temporarily shape retailer perceptions of an entire category, and why occasion- and benefit-based shopping may increasingly blur traditional category lines, particularly in smaller-format stores. Ken also discusses several emerging brands in his investment portfolio, including Rite, a caffeine-free energy drink powered by ketones and paraxanthine, and Leisure Hydration, which he sees as a function-first product with a more relaxed approach to hydration. He and Ray also evaluate products from Stillers, Yass, Gimber, Fizzin Protein and Grind. At the heart of Ken's philosophy is a simple question: Why will a consumer buy the product again? While functional benefits can drive trial, he argues that taste remains critical to repeat purchase in most categories. For founders, he emphasizes the importance of spending time in stores, studying the competitive set and allowing consumers to determine where a product belongs rather than relying too heavily on conventional category definitions. Ken also weighs in on celebrity-backed brands, arguing that celebrity involvement can drive discovery but is far more powerful when the celebrity genuinely invests in and believes in the business. He reflects on the extraordinary velocity of beverages compared with other CPG categories and explains why he often asks if a brand has the potential to sell a billion cans.

Brands in this episode: Vita Coco, Harmless Harvest, Zico, Gatorade, Red Bull, Monster Energy, Celsius, Rite Energy, Parch, Subourbon Life, Ponyboy Slings, MOTH Cocktails, Spikedade, Super Lyte, Yass, Orange Toucan, Leisure Hydration, Spindrift, Coca-Cola, Neau Water, Eatyx, Oshee, Stiller's, Gimber, Vitaminwater, Pirate's Booty, AriZona Beverages, Ancient Nutrition, Fair Life, Fizzen Protein, Protein Pop, Grind, Onyx Coffee, Donpon Energy

Even in a tough fundraising market, investors are still writing checks. The question is: to whom?

This week, we break down the latest CPG investment data and examine why protein-packed, dye-free, and ingredient-conscious startups continue to stand out with investors.

We also take a closer look at the emerging products generating buzz – including protein candy, mushroom lemonade, snacking croutons, and tinned protein bars – and what they say about the future of food and beverage.

Show notes:

0:20: A Timely Story. Which Direction? Head North. Algae Oil Is Hot. Jacked Up. Crunch, Sip, Snack. – The hosts open the episode by discussing the rapid rise of better-for-you candy, prompted by a recent New York Times article highlighting the category's momentum. While debating the role of alternative sweeteners and whether consumers ultimately prefer lower-sugar formulations or products made with real sugar, they also discuss how the success of brands like Poppi has inspired entrepreneurs to apply similar better-for-you playbooks to adjacent categories. The conversation then shifts to investment trends, drawing on Northhall's Q2 2026 Food, Beverage & CPG Financing Report to examine which early-stage concepts are attracting the most investor interest. They highlight recent funding rounds for companies such as Buffs and Algae Cooking Club, along with large-scale M&A activity driven by major corporations repositioning their portfolios around evolving consumer preferences. The hosts also turn their attention to a range of new products, including protein bars packaged in sardine-style tins, snacking croutons, Korean-style bone broth, and mushroom-infused sparkling lemonade. They discuss merchandising strategies, consumer appeal, and whether these unconventional formats and flavors have the potential to break into the mainstream.

Brands in this episode: Rotten, Original Tiniez, Chewerz, Happy Candy, Better Sour, SmartSweets, Joyride, Good Greed, Poppi, Olipop, Buffs, Algae Cooking Club, Jacked Granny, RXBAR, David, Croots, Kushi, Pepperidge Farm, Reclamation, Brodo, Brio Drinks, Goldie

The best founders know that great products don't win on their own.

Investor, entrepreneur, and longtime business journalist Darren Rovell joins Taste Radio to share the lessons he's learned backing breakout brands like Athletic Brewing, PopUp Bagels and Biena Snacks, building his own company, Kickstand Cocktails, and evaluating hundreds of startups every year.

He explains what separates investable founders from the rest, why adaptability beats stubbornness, and how emerging brands can carve out an advantage – even in the most competitive categories.

Show notes:

0:20: Darren Rovell, Founder, Kickstand Cocktails & Tastemaker Capital – Darren offers his perspective on the widespread adoption of testosterone therapy and GLP-1 drugs before diving into the investment philosophy behind Tastemaker Capital, explaining why he favors backing exceptional founders and differentiated products over rigid venture capital playbooks. He reflects on successful investments like Athletic Brewing and the consumer insights that led him to recognize the potential of non-alcoholic beer years before it entered the mainstream. Darren also discusses lessons learned from missed opportunities and the collapse of Foxtrot Market, emphasizing the importance of founder communication, adaptability, and conviction. He then shares his journey as the founder of Kickstand Cocktails, a premium line of spicy craft vodka sodas inspired by a disappointing bar experience, detailing how the brand has evolved through continuous iteration while staying true to its core promise of balanced, approachable spice. Along the way, he candidly discusses the challenges of building an alcohol brand within the three-tier distribution system, why supermarket distribution has been central to Kickstand's growth, and how he evaluates startups today—arguing that product quality and founder adaptability matter more than branding, while warning that AI-generated pitch decks make it harder than ever to separate substance from polish.

Brands in this episode: Biena, BODYARMOR, Athletic Brewing, Saint Pauli Girl, O'Doul's, Guinness, Fisher Island Lemonade, Kickstand Cocktails, Cutwater Spirits, High Noon, Long Drink, On The Rocks, Surfside, Spikeade, Super Lyte, Gatorade, Powerade, Coca-Cola, PopUp Bagels

Consumer expectations are changing fast, and brands of every size are being forced to adapt.

In this episode, we discuss what PepsiCo's response to GLP-1s and inflation signals for CPG. We also dive into Vita Coco's acquisition of a super-premium rival, and sample everything from cereal-inspired protein shakes and date-sweetened cola to birch water and caffeinated banana milk.

Show notes:

0:20: Chi, Summer. Is Ce Real? Pep Rally. Coco + Copra. Date Drink. The Two a Yous. It's French. — Ray and Melissa lament how quickly summer is slipping away, but they're looking ahead to Taste Radio's upcoming meetup in Chicago. Meanwhile, Mike is mixing up an unconventional concoction he swears will improve his physique. Melissa then leads a conversation about PepsiCo's response to GLP-1 adoption and persistent inflation, prompting a discussion about how major CPG companies are balancing lower prices on core products with innovation in premium and functional offerings—a dynamic that's creating both headwinds and opportunities for emerging brands. The hosts also examine Vita Coco's acquisition of premium coconut water brand Copra, viewing it as a strategic move to expand across multiple price tiers and compete more directly with Harmless Harvest. Ray samples Unpop's date-sweetened cola and highlights Tuyyo agua fresca hydration sticks, NYMBL high-protein ice cream, and OOZ birch water, while Melissa gives high marks to Halfday iced tea and Matcha DNA's powdered matcha lattes.

Brands in this episode: Spylt, Miils, Doritos, Carbone, Copra, Vita Coco, Harmless Harvest, Jolt Cola, Olipop, Poppi, Nixie, Stiller's, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Halfday, Nymbl, Protein Pints, David, Tuyyo, Unpop, OOZ, Matcha DNA, Minor Figures

How do you build a $150M CPG brand when your first retail opportunity falls apart?

For Little Spoon, the answer was to stop waiting for the shelf and start building a relationship with the customer.

After its initial plans to launch fresh baby food with Whole Foods hit a roadblock, co-founder and chief product officer Angela Vranich helped steer the company toward a DTC-first strategy that transformed Little Spoon into the largest direct-to-consumer baby and kids food brand in the U.S.

The company has since expanded into more than 100 products, entered retail through an exclusive partnership with Target, and built a business around understanding what modern parents want.

In this episode, Vranich breaks down the decisions, challenges, and operating principles behind Little Spoon's rise — from product innovation and customer education to scaling a complex food business without compromising quality.

Show notes:

0:20: Angela Vranich, Co-Founder, Little Spoon – Angela discusses how a setback with Whole Foods ultimately shaped Little Spoon's trajectory, prompting the company to pivot to a direct-to-consumer model. After selling more than one million meals in its first year, Little Spoon validated an opportunity to disrupt kids' nutrition and build a deeper relationship with families. She talks about the company's commitment to premium ingredients, rigorous testing, and transparency, as well as the operational complexity of managing more than 25 co-manufacturers, six fulfillment centers, and products across ambient, refrigerated, and frozen categories. Angela also shares how Little Spoon built a brand centered on education and content, recognizing that parents were looking not just for food, but guidance and support as they navigated feeding their children. She also highlights the company's culture, where transparency and collaboration help ensure that ideas can come from anywhere within the organization. Finally, Angela explains why Little Spoon entered retail through a major Target launch in 2025 and how the company is using insights from its DTC platform to inform its retail strategy and thoughtful expansion into additional chains.

Brands in this episode: Little Spoon

Can a brand built on purpose survive when its mission is put at risk?

The hosts dive into the escalating conflict between Ben & Jerry's and its parent company over funding cuts to the ice cream maker's philanthropic foundation, debating whether a brand so closely tied to a social mission can preserve its identity after acquisition and how the dispute could influence consumer loyalty in an increasingly competitive premium ice cream category.

The discussion also examines how founders should approach purpose-driven branding, with early-stage sparkling water brand Atomico serving as an example of a young company that integrates its mission into its business without overshadowing the product itself.

The hosts also sample and review a variety of emerging products, including South Chicago Packing's Wagyu Beef Tallow Spray, Cozy's refrigerated snack bars made with grass-fed butter, Bakeful's better-for-you brownies, muffins and donuts, MixMix THC beverage stick packs, and Muffits protein mini muffins.

Show notes:

0:20: On Tap. Social Scoops No More? Space Age Sparkling Water. Tallow & Butter. Munchin' On Muffins. The hosts preview two upcoming community events: the Taste Radio Chicago Meetup at Pilot Project Brewing on Aug. 13 and a Nombase webinar featuring executives from Goodles and Culture Pop on July 28. They then explore whether a purpose-driven brand can preserve its identity after being acquired, and how changes to its philanthropic commitments could reshape consumer perception. As a counterpoint, they spotlight an emerging functional sparkling water brand that supports STEM education through NASA Space Camp scholarships. Later, Melissa highlights a beefy cooking spray, Ray shares a pair of brands—one making better-for-you yet indulgent snack bars and another reimagining Hostess-style treats for today's consumers. Mike stirs things up with powdered drink mixes, and the episode wraps with a discussion of protein snacks—because, of course, it does.

Brands in this episode: Goodles, Culture Pop, Nantucket Nectars, Annie's, Ben & Jerry's, Stonyfield, Jeni's, Van Leeuwens, Salt & Straw, Tillamook, Atomico, Spindrift, South Chicago Packing, COZY, Bakeful, MixMix, Muffits

The latest episode of Taste Radio's Elevator Talk spotlights innovative leaders from Hover, Purple Drop, Atomico, Ola Mate and ChamCham.

The founders and operators introduce their brands and share recent company updates and milestones.

This week's special co-host is Rebecca Bernard, the founder and CEO of Empire City Brand Builders, a sales and marketing broker focused on growing brands in the New York Metro area.

Rebecca 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 is free, interviews are conducted remotely, and it's a unique opportunity to pitch your product, share news, and receive expert feedback from industry leaders.

Apply now to be featured in an upcoming episode.