Taste Radio

Even as one of the pioneers of the super-premium coffee set often referred to as “third-wave,” Blue Bottle founder James Freeman says he was never interested in being ahead of the curve. For Freeman, creating an innovative and lasting brand is “about working on the negative space.”

Joining Taste Radio for a conversation in this week’s episode, Freeman explained how Blue Bottle has built a unique platform differentiated by ultra high quality products and service by “figuring out what is there a

Behind the camera, Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh has taken on all types of challenges in filmmaking, from shooting low-budget indie movies with a handheld camera to helming blockbuster franchise flicks starring some of Hollywood's biggest names (the "Ocean's Eleven" series). However, as he tells it, that's nothing compared to running a spirits brand. "This is like shooting a movie every day for the rest of your life," he said in an interview included in this episode of Taste Radio. "There's just no pause button. And if you slow down, the person behind you with their brand is just going to run right over you." Soderbergh is the creator of Singani63, a unique spirit distilled from grapes indigenous to the Andes Mountains of Bolivia. Previously a devoted vodka drinker, Soderbergh fell for singani while on location (in Bolivia) filming the movie "Che" in 2007 and felt compelled to bring it to the U.S. market. Technically defined as a brandy, singani is relatively unknown to American consumers and Soderbergh has had a front row seat to the challenges of launching a brand with a high education factor. As part of our conversation, Soderbergh discussed how he's leaned on his experience as a storyteller to drive the creative vision for the brand, parallels between the movie and beverage businesses and why he's having more fun running a spirits company than filmmaking. In our second interview, we go from singani to Sheets-- as in Nate Sheets, the founder and CEO of the top-selling honey brand in America, Nature Nate's. A former marketing executive, Sheets started with a single beehive but now has a company that will produce over 20 million lbs. of honey this year. Sheets explained how the combination of a highly effective label revamp and an intense focus on micro-marketing and innovation helped fuel the company's evolution. He also discussed why his wear-it-on-your-sleeve spirituality has been a key component of the company's mission and business strategy. And in the latest edition of Elevator Talk, we're joined by Hansen Sheih, the founder of One Culture Foods, a maker of Asian-inspired sauces and instant noodle cups. Show notes: 2:30: A Sweet and Spicy Homecoming: The hosts crunch and munch their way through a swath of snacks brought back from the Sweets & Snacks Expo, an annual convention showcasing new candy and snack products. They also feel the heat from samples of Olde Virden Red Hot sprinkles and chat about a recent interview with Mike Brown, the founder of "World's Strongest Coffee" brand Death Wish Coffee. 13:51: Interview: Steven Soderbergh, Filmmaker & Creator of Singani63 -- From critically acclaimed films "Sex, Lies and Videotape" and "The Limey" to Hollywood blockbusters "Erin Brockovich," and "Traffic," Soderbergh has been hailed as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. While the Academy Award-winning director continues to make his mark in the movie business, he's hoping to do the same off-screen as a beverage entrepreneur. We sat down with Soderbergh at ThirstBoston, an industry event showcasing innovation and education in the world of craft cocktails, where he spoke about his unique spirit brand Singani63 and his experience wading through the beverage business. 36:33: Interview: Nathan Sheets, President/Chief Steward, Nature Nate's -- In an interview recorded at BevNET HQ, Sheets discussed the rise of Nature Nate's from its humble beginnings to being the number one honey brand in America. As part of our conversation, he explained how micro-marketing has yielded significant traction for the brand and why he believes that "if you're not failing enough, you're not trying enough new things." 58:41: Elevator Talk: Hansen Sheih, Founder/CEO, One Culture Foods -- A maker of sauces and instant noodle cups infused with global flavors, One Culture Foods is focused on creating convenient, crafted products for at-home chefs and everyday consumers alike.

Behind the camera, Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh has taken on all types of challenges in filmmaking, from shooting low-budget indie movies with a handheld camera to helming blockbuster franchise flicks starring some of Hollywood’s biggest names (the “Ocean’s Eleven” series). However, as he tells it, that’s nothing compared to running a spirits brand.

“This is like shooting a movie every day for the rest of your life,” he said in an interview included in this episode of Tast

Pretty much everyone has heard of Pirate's Booty, the ubiquitous puffed cheese snack known for its quirky branding and eat-the-whole-bag appeal. If you're in the food and beverage business, you might have heard of Robert Ehrlich, the creator of Pirate's Booty. But to know the name is not necessarily to know the man. Inventive, eccentric, fearless, creative, and above all fun, Ehrlich has been extremely successful as a food entrepreneur; the sale of Pirate's Booty netted him over $70 million. Money, however, hasn't changed his passion for new and innovative ways to disrupt the food business. Inthis episode of Taste Radio, Ehrlich discussed what he's learned from the Pirate's Booty days, his approach to brand and product ideation, and why he may be creating new snacks until he's 99 years old. Also in this episode: a conversation with Jim, Jake and Jordan DeCicco, the brothers and founders of Sunniva Super Coffee, a brand of functional coffee drinks enhanced with MCT oil and protein. While the DeCicco brothers have only been in business for a couple years, their youthfulness in age (Jim, the oldest brother, is just 25) and experience hasn't stopped them from getting off to a roaring start, highlighted by an appearance on "Shark Tank" earlier this year. The DeCiccos discussed the origins of Sunniva, swimming with the Sharks and how their networking prowess has resulted in a roster of remarkable relationships (including WeWork co-founder Adam Neumann and NFL legend Boomer Esiason). And in the latest edition of Elevator Talk, we're joined by Breezy Griffith, the co-founder and CEO of Skinny Dipped, a young, fast-growing brand of chocolate-covered almonds. Show notes: 2:25: Network With Interesting Folks and Hire Them: The hosts riff on networking opportunities at the upcoming BevNET Live and NOSH Live Summer 2018 conferences, with 1,000 industry professionals expected to attend the events. They also chat about a recent Boston Magazine profile on Bill Creelman, the founder and CEO of surging sparkling water brand Spindrift, featuring context on the man, brand and category from BevNET CEO John Craven, who's quoted extensively in article; the U.S. launch of U.K.-based brand and New Beverage Showdown 13 finalist Ugly Water; and BevNET's affordable and effective job board. 10:15: Interview: Rob Ehrlich, Founder, Pirate's Booty/Vegan's Rob's -- Recorded at Natural Products Expo West 2018, Ehrlich discussed his post-Pirate's Booty business ventures, including Skinny Pop and Vegan Rob's. He explained why he's "always taking pitches," constantly iterating and innovating with Vegan Rob's by focusing on fast-moving trends and staying close to the ground by listening to feedback from "store employees, to consumers, to the kids to even the people on the line who make the products." 29:24: Interview: The Brothers DeCicco, Founders, Sunniva Super Coffee -- We've heard many Taste Radio guests say that you can't make it in the food and beverage business without hustle. Well, the word defines Jim, Jake and Jordan DeCicco, brothers and founders of Sunniva Super Coffee. In an interview recorded at BevNET HQ, they explained how their hard-charging approach to business and networking has resulted in the brand's early success and an appearance on the ABC hit show "Shark Tank." 54:04: Elevator Talk: Breezy Griffith, Co-Founder/CEO, Skinny Dipped -- Launched on a dining room table in Seattle, Skinny Dipped, a young, fast-growing brand of chocolate-covered almonds was co-founded by Breezy Griffith, who shared with us the vision and grand plans for the brand, all included in this edition of Elevator Talk. Brands in this episode: Madi, Spindrift, Ugly Drinks, Pirate's Booty, Vegan Rob's, Sunniva Super Coffee, Skinny Dipped

Pretty much everyone has heard of Pirate’s Booty, the ubiquitous puffed cheese snack known for its quirky branding and eat-the-whole-bag appeal. If you’re in the food and beverage business, you might have heard of Robert Ehrlich, the creator of Pirate’s Booty. But to know the name is not necessarily to know the man. Inventive, eccentric, fearless, creative, and above all fun, Ehrlich has been extremely successful as a food entrepreneur; the sale of Pirate’s Booty netted him over $70 million. Money,

When it comes to entrepreneurship, Clayton Christopher believes that “you can’t read the book; you gotta live it.”

And live it he has; Christopher is best known as the co-founder of Sweet Leaf Tea, acquired by Nestlé Waters in 2011, and Deep Eddy Vodka, which just five years after its launch was sold to Heaven Hill Distilling for a reported $400 million. Yet even as a highly successful entrepreneur and investor, Christopher, currently the co-founder and managing director of private equity firm CAVU

If you are going to have the occasional indulgent dessert, at least make sure it's worth indulging on. Greg Fleishman, a veteran CPG executive and co-founder of organic baking kit brand Foodstirs, has made that the simple guiding principle of Foodstirs, the organic baking kit brand he helped launch alongside co-founder Galit Laibow and actress Sarah Michelle Gellar in 2014. Launched as a direct-to-consumer subscription service before expanding into retail, the brand has set out to disrupt a sleepy baking mix category with innovative products that merge high-quality, sustainable ingredients and indulgent flavors. In an interview with the Foodstirs founders included in this episode of Taste Radio, Gellar explained that they view themselves as customers of the brand as much as owners, an outlook that's shaped how Foodstirs considers innovation and ingredients. "I think we've elevated sourcing when it comes to baking," Gellar said. "I feel very confident in saying there is no baking mix whose ingredients cannot only be sourced as ethically [and] that tastes as delicious as ours. It's been a personal mission for us. And when I say personal mission, I mean that literally." Listen to our full interview with Gellar, Laibow and Fleishman in which they discuss Foodstirs' rapid growth, the brand's approach to new product development and innovation, and why they see the brand as taking a new tack on fresh for center store grocery. Also included in this episode: a conversation with Dan Schorr, the founder and CEO of provocative ice cream brand Vice Cream. As part of our discussion, Schorr explained how his personal journey as marketing executive and cancer survivor has shaped the business and marketing strategy behind the "unapologetically indulgent" Vice Cream brand, which has grown quickly in the two years since its launch and now available in more than 5,000 grocery stores across the U.S. We also review a spate of significant name leadership changes and corporate earnings reports with BevNET assistant editor Marty Caballero and chat with Matt Oscamou, the co-founder of Weller, a brand of hemp-infused coconut bites in the latest edition of Elevator Talk. Show notes: 2:21: Bust a Move -- The hosts banter about the recent office expansion at BevNET HQ. Landis chats about his recent visit to probiotic beverage company Urban Farm Fermentory. The hosts also discuss the speaker lineups at BevNET Live and NOSH Live. 11:28: Interview: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Galit Laibow & Greg Fleishman, Co-Founders, Foodstirs -- Speaking of our live events… if you attended or livestreamed our NOSH Live Winter 2016 conference you may recall our interview with the founders of Foodstirs, a maker of organic baking kits. In the time since Foodstirs has ramped up its retail presence and extended its product mix. Project NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg met up with Sarah, Galit and Greg at Natural Product Expo West 2018 where they spoke about the mission, positioning and business strategy behind the brand. 35:29: Interview: Dan Schorr, Founder/CEO, Vice Cream -- A provocative ice cream brand is trying to scoop the competition with an "unapologetically indulgent" approach. It's called Vice Cream, and there's a compelling backstory to the brand and founder, Dan Schorr, who visited BevNET HQ for a conversation about the origins of Vice Cream and its unorthodox approach to marketing. 59:57: In the Newsroom -- BevNET assistant editor Marty Caballero joins the podcast to discuss notable leadership changes and earnings reports in the non-alcoholic beverage business. 1:03:12: Elevator Talk: Matt Oscamou, Co-Founder, Weller -- Weller, a brand of sweet and savory hemp-infused coconut bites, is promoted as "a new kind of wellness." We caught up with co-founder Matt Oscamou at Expo West 2018, where he gave us the pitch on Weller and how it's attempting to make its mark in the snack aisle, all included in this edition of Elevator Talk.

If you are going to have the occasional indulgent dessert, at least make sure it’s worth indulging on.

Greg Fleishman, a veteran CPG executive and co-founder of organic baking kit brand Foodstirs, has made that the simple guiding principle of Foodstirs, the organic baking kit brand he helped launch alongside co-founder Galit Laibow and actress Sarah Michelle Gellar in 2014. Launched as a direct-to-consumer subscription service before expanding into retail, the brand has set out to disrupt a sleepy bakin

Here's a hypothetical question: What if we were to tell you that one could start a food company and in less than five years sell it for $600 million? Would that be something you'd be interested in? (That was a rhetorical question.) As unlikely as it sounds, that's exactly what happened to Peter Rahal, the co-founder and CEO of RXBAR. Launched in 2013, RXBAR, which markets clean label protein bars, quickly became one of the fastest growing snack brands in the U.S. The company had net sales of approximately $120 million in 2017 and in October was acquired by the Kellogg Company for the aforementioned $600 million. We recently sat down with Rahal to discuss the incredible growth of RXBAR, including the decision that sparked a major turning point for the brand, and how being "miserably uncomfortable for the past five years" has helped him grow as a leader. Here's another hypothetical question: what if you could buy a countertop appliance that would enable you to make RXBARs at home? How about one that could make your favorite style of beer? Well, you're in luck! That's if you want the magic beer machine, not the protein bar one; that doesn't exist…. yet. Founded in 2010, PicoBrew is a fast-growing maker of automatic brewing appliances designed for small craft beer producers and homebrewers. Co-founder and CEO Bill Mitchell joined us for an interview about how the appliances are disrupting the beer industry's traditional three-tier system, the company's long-term vision is and how he expects it to evolve and expand into other beverage categories. Now, how about a snack with that homebrewed beverage? Consider AvoLuv, a new brand of chips made from avocados. Founder and CEO Eric Healy spoke with us about the development and business strategy behind AvoLuv and what he's looking for from investors -- all included in the latest edition of Elevator Talk. Show notes: 2:35: Trendspotting In South America -- Project NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg recently returned from a trip to Chile and Argentina and shared her thoughts on food culture, interesting ingredients, and novel brands in the two countries. The hosts also chat about recent visits to BevNET HQ from the founders of Ruby Rockets and Nitro Beverage Co. and encourage other brand owners to make a trip to see us. 9:58: Interview: Peter Rahal, Co-Founder/CEO, RXBAR -- Six months after the sale of RXBAR, Peter Rahal spoke with Project NOSH editor Carol Ortenberg about the launch and rapid development of the company. Among topics of discussion: how Rahal, a self-described introvert, was forced into uncomfortable situations that eventually made him a better leader; how the brand's revamp was a "leap of faith" and why Rahal believed that the company "couldn't play the same game, from a design perspective, as everyone else," and "needed to take a risk." 39:13: Interview: Bill Mitchell, Co-Founder/CEO, PicoBrew -- In its eight years on the market, PicoBrew has has attracted significant interest from consumers, professional brewers and investors, having raised $20 million from 50 funding partners, including Zx Ventures, the global incubation arm of Anheuser-Busch InBev. Mitchell sat down with Brewbound editor Chris Furnari and discussed the company's origins and business strategy, including how it plans to disrupt the market for hyperlocal craft beer. 1:04:39: Elevator Talk: Eric Healy, Founder/CEO, AvoLuv -- We met Eric Healy at Natural Products Expo West 2018, where the founder and CEO spoke with us about his avocado-based snack brand AvoLuv and the innovation behind its unique products. Brands in this episode: The Not Company, RxBar, Coronado Brewing Co., Rogue Ales, Avoluv