Episodes

What role can bars and mixologists play in protecting Earth’s fragile environment? It’s a question that Torres Brandy is attempting to answer via its innovative Zero Challenge competition, which is designed to promote a new paradigm in hospitality by aligning cocktail culture with environmental responsibility.

What happens when a small, but influential, retailer unexpectedly closes all of its stores? What does its closure say about the trends it embraced? The hosts discuss. They also test out a “nu” machine that produces on-demand plant-based milk and highlight a motley crew of RTD beverages.

Marguerite Zabar Mariscal, the CEO of Momofuku, the admired restaurant group founded by David Chang, and Momofuku Goods, a brand of restaurant-quality pantry items inspired by modern Asian cuisine, explains how “a conscientious objection” to complacency has fueled constant improvement and why she’s intent on building companies that have “optionality.”

Ryan Gellert, the CEO of pioneering outdoor apparel and gear company Patagonia and Paul Lightfoot, the general manager of its food and beverage division, Patagonia Provisions, speak about how early-stage and emerging brands can actively incorporate sustainability and environmental responsibility into their business strategies.

Expo West 2024 remains top of mind for the hosts, who discuss how attendees’ perception of innovation and their evaluation of new products has evolved in recent editions of the annual event. They also speak about how a confluence of global flavors and convenient, clean label foods and beverages is a positive sign for the industry as a whole.

Matt Weiss, the founder and CEO of sustainable and better-for-you snack brand RIND Snacks, speaks about how the company maximizes the value of outside capital, utilizing alt-retail channels, foodservice and travel stores to drive cash flow and why investing early in brand ethos and a polished product has consistently paid dividends.