In this episode of the Food Talk Show, host Ollie Lloyd talks all things oil with Sarah Vachon, an olive oil sommelier and the founder of Citizens of Soil. Her company is dedicated to sourcing and promoting high-quality, sustainably produced olive oil. Sarah’s journey into the world of olive oil began with her fascination for its complexities and nuances, similar to fine wine. As she explains, olive oil possesses a rich terroir, with over a thousand varieties influenced by various factors, including soil composition and climate conditions.

Throughout the conversation, Sarah emphasises her mission to support small-scale farmers who often struggle to sustain their livelihoods in a market dominated by mass production and profit-driven motives. This purpose is her true north, not a desire to sell the business and achieve an impressive exit. She passionately advocates for regenerative agriculture, which focuses on restoring soil health and promoting biodiversity. Sarah highlights the challenges of balancing quality with accessibility, acknowledging that while her oils are premium products, there is a growing need for more affordable options that do not compromise sustainability.

Sarah elaborates on the craftsmanship involved in producing exceptional olive oil, noting that each bottle represents the hard work and dedication of the farmers behind it. She shares her experience in sourcing oils that meet high flavour standards and align with ethical farming practices, creating a product that consumers can feel good about purchasing. The episode discusses how the olive oil industry has evolved, with a growing awareness of the importance of quality and the stories behind the products we consume.

One of Citizens of Soil's standout features is its innovative subscription model, the Olive Oil Club. This program allows consumers to explore different oils each month and learn about the unique characteristics of each variety and the farmers who produce them. By fostering a sense of community, Sarah aims to create a deeper connection between consumers and producers, enriching the overall experience of using olive oil. 

As the conversation progresses, Sarah reflects on the broader implications of food choices and the importance of supporting sustainable practices in the food industry. She believes that by prioritising quality and ethical sourcing, consumers can contribute to a more sustainable future while enjoying the richness and flavour that high-quality olive oil brings to their kitchens. This episode ultimately serves as an inspiring reminder of the power of food to connect us to the land, the people who cultivate it, and the shared values of sustainability and community.

In the latest episode of The Food Talk Show, host Ollie Lloyd talks to Philip Teverow, co-founder and CEO of Yolélé, a brand pioneering the development of fonio, a grain that you might not have heard of but has tremendous potential.

Fonio is not just any grain; it's a “gluten-free ancient grain that cooks in five minutes and is drought tolerant," emphasises Philip. Women in West Africa traditionally cultivate the grain as a subsistence crop. However, Philip and his business partner, legendary NY chef, Pierre Thiam, envision fonio as a grain that can support livelihoods through sustainable agriculture. Their mission began when Pierre tried to create a cookbook using authentic ingredients and realised there was a broader opportunity to create something altogether new with Teverow.

Teverow explains that fonio has challenges at its core: "It's very easy to grow, but hard to process due to its tiny grain size." The technical complexity of processing fonio involves removing an inedible hull from a minuscule grain. Despite these obstacles, the potential market for this grain appeals to major food companies, not just for its nutritional properties but also for its alignment with organisations' sustainable development goals.

The journey from conception to commercialisation began when they found a willing retail partner. “Whole Foods became our testing ground,” Philip explains, where they started by promoting fonio in a single Harlem store as a raw ingredient. The grain and its incredible story immediately got media attention, bringing Yolélé into the spotlight. Pretty quickly, global food companies started showing interest in incorporating fonio into their products, but there is still a lot of work to be done regarding the process.

The driving factor in fonio's potential lies in its versatility and its environmental promise. “Fonio can substitute for less sustainable grains, like rice or corn,” states Philip, highlighting its minimal water and carbon footprint. Its adaptability is evident in sectors beyond just whole grain consumption, finding its place in brewing, as well as in making crisps and flour and Yolélé already offer a number of these products direct to consumers. 

Philip’s approach resonates with a broader outlook: supporting smallholder farmers in West Africa while maintaining the identity of fonio as an indigenous crop. Despite the steep capital required to scale processing, the commitment to fully industrialise production persists, balancing their commercial scale with the sustainability ethos.

Philip envisions a food system where fonio is just the beginning. He aims to incorporate multiple crops into this new regenerative agriculture model to support biodiversity and sustainable farming practices.

In the latest episode of The Food Talk Show, Ollie Lloyd hosts Amelia Christie Miller, the founder of Bold Beans, a brand transforming the bean market. 

Amelia initially disliked beans until an unexpected experience, inspired by Nigel Slater during her Erasmus exchange in Madrid, altered her perspective. "I spooned one straight from the jar, and it was this mesmerising moment," Amelia recalls. Initially, this did register as a significant life-changing moment. However, a stint working with chefs showed her that there were better solutions to the trend towards meat alternatives, and the journey towards Bold Beans began.

Amelia rightly believes in beans' broader global, cultural and culinary roles. She recognises the international appeal of beans and sees beans as an excellent vehicle for embracing diverse flavours and inherently healthy recipes. "Beans are a cornerstone of how civilisation got here," she explains, portraying beans as an essential global food staple.

One of the core themes Amelia discusses is the brand's approach to health and sustainability through the lens of pleasure. "I want people to be tempted into buying it because they want to do it, not because they should," she states, emphasising the importance of taste over health benefits. 

Amelia also sheds light on their marketing strategy, which is less about overtly highlighting the health benefits, which are a given, and more about creating a genuine love for beans. Their Instagram presence and content creation, led by Hannah Wilding, are central to this, driven by a belief that sharing delicious recipes goes beyond just selling a product. "Our mission is to make people bean obsessed," she explains, noting that early content creation efforts were based on trying to help friends cook with beans even before the brand existed as a real product.

Another fascinating aspect of Bold Beans is how they are battling quite established brands like Merchant Gourmet and Belazu in the core beans category and taking on giants like Heinz. In tackling the challenge of broader competition, Amelia finds confidence in focusing on beans exclusively. "Brands like Merchant Gourmet and Belazu can't own beans in the way that we can own beans." This singular focus allows Bold Beans to optimise quality and innovation within their niche, ensuring they remain leaders in flavor and sustainability.

As Bold Beans continues to innovate and educate about the versatility of beans, one senses that the team will not only shake up the bean category but also redefine what it means to eat sustainably and deliciously.

In the latest episode of The Food Talk Show, host Ollie Lloyd is joined by Imme Ermgassen, a co-founder of Botivo, a brand reshaping the non-alcoholic drinks landscape. Imme shares the intriguing backstory of Botivo, which diverges from the typical narratives surrounding alcohol-free drinks. “Botivo was born from pleasure and hedonism, not from the world of moderation,” she explains. This comes to life on Botivo's bottle, which has a vibrant yellow wax seal and artistic label adorned with joyful, diverse characters. These whimsical figures represent a lively celebration, reflecting the brand's commitment to inclusivity and the pleasure of indulgence.

Botivo is crafted on Lannock Farm in Hertfordshire, where co-founder Sam Paget Stevenson and his team handcraft each batch. Imme describes Botivo as a “British big-sipping botanical aperitivo” and highlights the brand's commitment to quality and flavour. “We are the only drink in the category which has no flavourings, essences, or preservatives,” she states, underscoring the brand's dedication to doing this with the love and attention needed to create a truly special product. This focus on authenticity results in complex taste profiles that rival premium crafted alcoholic beverages. Imme adds, “When you look at the reviews, the reaction is intense,” with many consumers declaring it “the best drink in the world.”

Sustainability is another cornerstone of Botivo's mission. Imme emphasises that while the product is healthy and sustainably minded, the primary focus is on delivering a remarkable taste experience. “We believe that taste is the priority,” she states, reflecting the brand’s philosophy that quality should never be compromised. 

Imme envisions Botivo as a brand that fosters inclusivity, where everyone can enjoy a crafted beverage, regardless of their alcohol preferences. “I want Botivo to be the bottle at every dinner party,” she says, highlighting the brand’s aspiration to unite people in shared experiences. 

Botivo's innovative approach includes its marketing, which often features a giant yellow piano, challenging the notion that sampling experiences are generally dull. At festivals, entertainers perform while attendees gather to enjoy the drinks and often burst into song. This engaging approach highlights the brand's playful spirit and commitment to creating memorable interactions, making Botivo stand out in the non-alcoholic beverage market.

The episode concludes with Imme sharing exciting plans for Botivo’s future, including upcoming limited-edition launches and collaborations with renowned brands. She expresses her commitment to maintaining a focused strategy prioritising quality and taste over rapid expansion. As Botivo grows, Imme’s insights reveal a brand poised to redefine what it means to enjoy sophisticated, alcohol-free beverages, blending authentic flavours, sustainability, and a sense of community in every bottle.

Ella Harland, co-founder of Griddle, joins Ollie Lloyd on The Food Talk Show to discuss how Griddle challenges the status quo in the bakery aisle. If you have ever looked at the back of the pack of pre-made bread, croissants or waffles, you know what the baseline is (and it's not good). Griddle produces products that are as close to homemade as possible, focusing on simple, wholesome ingredients without the nasties. Food waste in bakeries is genuinely shocking, and its clear that by embracing frozen products, the brand can help consumers reduce food waste and have items that don’t need preservatives.

Griddle's range started with waffles, featuring whole grain and protein-rich options, and is planning to expand into pancakes and croissants. As expected, the brand has a clean-label philosophy and is committed to sustainability. Not surprisingly, it is a B-Corp and is being very well received by retailers who see it as a truly differentiated offering. Ella even dares to imagine a time when freezers aren’t just at the back of stores but integrated into aisles, which could genuinely change how consumers think about bakery.

They are also keen to democratise quality food and with a punchy price point of only £2.00 for six waffles at Asda, they are also targeting a broad consumer base rather than the usual Waitrose foodie. One senses exciting times lie ahead for this team.

Edited: Stella Gent

In the latest episode of The Food Talk Show, Ollie Lloyd dives into a conversation with Richard Peake, CEO of Merchant Gourmet. The brand is revitalising the grain and pulse category by offering flavoursome, convenient products for time-strapped consumers that want something a bit more interesting.

Historically known for its premium chestnuts and puy lentils, Merchant Gourmet is one of the brands driving the growing shift toward culinary curiosity with easy-to-prepare, often microwaveable options. This evolution not only addresses consumer desires for quality and flavour but also taps into the trend of reducing meat consumption.

Richard highlights how the brand stays true to its roots by focusing on excellent taste while subtly integrating health benefits. By expanding their range to include diverse global cuisines, Merchant Gourmet invites consumers to experience dishes from around the world with ease. They are also not scared to take on established brands like Tilda in rice with products that they think are just more interesting than the competition. 

They are now in 30 plus categories including frozen and have recently expanded into the the world of beans. As they continue to inspire consumers , Merchant Gourmet is committed to making supermarket shelves and home-cooked meals more exciting and make it easier for consumers to eat a more plant-forward diet.

Edited by Stella Gent

Can one revolutionise the frozen treats category? Zara Godfrey, the founder of Pukpip, thinks so and explains it all to Ollie Lloyd in this latest episode, as his new puppy (Enola) occasionally makes a racket in the background!

Pukpip launched in 2023 to shake up the ice cream industry by integrating more fruit into consumers' diets in fun and innovative ways. At the core of Pukpip's offering are chocolate-dipped frozen bananas, a nostalgic nod to Zara's childhood favourites prepared by her mother.

Zara and her team are breaking ground by creating a new category—indulgent frozen fruit—within the UK's snack market, something tha is alreadey developed in the US. Despite formidable competition from giants like Mars, Zara's Pukpip stands out by promoting health-conscious alternatives and reducing food waste through its unique up-cycling approach. The company turns 'wonky' fruit into a delightful snacking experience by sourcing bananas in Ecuador, absurdly rejected by standard export processes.

The brand caters to a health-focused, younger audience seeking permissible indulgence that combines taste and wellness. The brand is an excellent example of how there are solutions that can be delicious and healthy. However, one challenge for Pukpip is educating consumers about this new category, which might be getting easier now that new competitors have arrived.

Edited by Stella Gent

In this latest episode of The Food Talk Show, host Ollie Lloyd welcomes Ed Morrison, the CEO of Roots Allotment. This membership-based business aims to empower communities across the UK to grow their food and become part of a vibrant local community. From the germ of an idea during lockdown, the company is pursuing a bold vision for sustainable self-reliance.

Ed Morrison's journey with Roots Allotment began serendipitously during a pre-lockdown gardening talk in Lyme Regis, where he encountered no-dig gardening pioneer Charles Dowding. This meeting ignited Morrison's interest in sustainable food cultivation, leading him to propose a market garden on unloved land in his grandmother’s garden.

Roots Allotment is not just about growing vegetables; it's about fostering community and inclusivity. With nine sites across England, in places like Bristol, Leeds, Nottingham, Sheffield, Bath, Stourbridge, Chelmsford and Croydon, each allotment buzzes with human and insect life. Morrison's ambition is to develop a network of over 100 sites with over 100,000 people growing their own food within a decade. With every location fostering a sense of community,, this vision has the potential to impact more than just the way some people eat.

Converting land into allotments isn’t without its challenges, from sorting members' seeds into tiny packets to accessing quality compost. However, Morrison highlights that one of the most pressing issues is finding suitable land amid the competition from housing developers and other edge-of-town developers. 

If all this sparks a desire to have a Roots Allotment near you, visit their website and complete an application form - apparently, all it takes is 300 signatures from friends to influence where their next site is! 

Edited by Stella Gent

In this episode of The Food Talk Show, host Ollie Lloyd, interviews Paul Turton, the CEO of PACT Coffee, to discuss the company's mission-driven journey, the complexities of the coffee supply chain, and the direct-to-consumer (DTC) business model that continues to drive their success. 

Paul talks about the way that coffee prices are often manipulated by markets, leaving farmers squeezed and struggling. To counter this, PACT Coffee has established direct relationships with farmers, cutting out the middlemen and ensuring fair compensation. By paying premiums significantly above Fair Trade rates, PACT Coffee secures high-quality beans and supports the farmers' livelihoods.

They also discuss the best way to brew a coffee, some new innovation that Pact have coming out soon which leads them to the espresso martini!

Edited by Stella Gent

In this episode of The Food Talk Show, host Ollie Lloyd interviews Johnny Shimmin, co-founder of Spoon Cereal and discusses the highly competitive cereal category and some of the cynical behaviour of some of the more prominent brands. Spoon began as a fun idea after a discussion with his future sister-in-law at a family barbecue over ten years ago and has evolved into a classic challenger brand that remains truly committed to taste and quality, something most of the cereal category ignore. 

The brand began as a pop-up in food markets and gleaned broad consumer feedback, allowing significant product iteration and optimisation. It is now sold in a wide range of supermarkets and has recently collaborated with ManiLife to create the ultimate peanut butter granola product. The brand also plans to launch a healthier family cereal this autumn while maintaining competitive prices.

Edited by Stella Gent