Episodes

Are they breakout stars or just... confusing? Pizza wine, salmon jerky, kava & mushroom-infused drinks, Gen Z-inspired peanut butter and “cheezy” puff snacks. Why we're thumbs up – or down – on buzzworthy new concepts in CPG. This episode also spotlights two remarkable women on a mission to elevate the way we eat: Holly Arbuckle of Singing Pastures and Swati Elavia of Monsoon Kitchens.

Ayeshah Abuelhiga, the founder and CEO of Mason Dixie Foods, shares how she's taking on the legacy CPG heavyweights by building a bold, next-generation frozen food brand. She dives into how the company harnesses consumer insights, rigorous cost discipline and category whitespace to expand and how Mason Dixie is reshaping the definition of “natural” for modern shoppers.

Big ideas, bold flavors, and unfiltered insights—welcome to Austin, where the future of CPG is being written in real time. At Taste Radio’s Austin meetup, we sat down with trailblazers and trendsetters – including Better Sour co-founder Bella Hughes to Torchy’s Tacos founder Mike Rypka and Snaxshot’s Andrea Hernández – who are redefining how brands are built and scaled.

Dumpling Daughter isn’t just a food brand. It’s founder Nadia Liu Spellman’s heartfelt homage to family, culture, and comfort. Her mission is simple but powerful: to make high-quality, restaurant-style comfort food accessible at home, while honoring the deep emotional ties that food can hold.

Michelle Razavi, the co-founder of Elavi, pulls back the curtain on how the brand landed a $1 million order from Costco just four months after the debut of its protein brownies. The hosts also discuss Chobani’s purchase of Daily Harvest and Via Verde Valle’s acquisition of A Dozen Cousins, and how the latter may reflect a new paradigm in which founders favor strategic exits over prolonged fundraising.

How do you build a globally scaled food company rooted in ancient Japanese techniques, humane animal treatment, and radical transparency – all before the age of 26?. Meet Saif Khawaja, the founder and CEO of Seremoni.

Is the plant-based meat boom going bust? Despite early excitement and big investments, some brands are in the midst of turbulent times and an uncertain future. The hosts weigh in. Plus, Babak Bina, co-founder of BCB3 Hospitality Group, shares how a deep commitment to guest experience and a love for cultural cuisine helped him develop some of the city's most acclaimed restaurants.

Tony Abou-Ganim, a legendary figure in the world of cocktails and hospitality with nearly five decades behind the bar, is sounding an alarm for the industry he cherishes. “Where did the fun go?” he wonders.

After a challenging 2024, Lemon Perfect knew it was time for a reset. Founder Yanni Hufnagel led the charge with a reengineered bottle and improved formula, but the brand’s comeback wouldn’t be complete without a revitalized look. Enter Paula Grant and her creative studio Suite9C, tasked with developing a daring visual identity refresh. This is the story of how a brand turned setback into spotlight.