Ray Latif is the lead host, producer, and content editor of Taste Radio, BevNET’s flagship podcast and the go-to show for food and beverage industry insights. With 14 years of experience in the industry, Ray is a seasoned journalist known for his sharp interviews and in-depth coverage of trends, innovation, and news. He began his career at BevNET as an assistant editor, later advancing to managing editor of both the website and magazine. Since 2016, he’s been the driving force behind Taste Radio, overseeing everything from content strategy to production. Ray’s conversational style and meticulous research have earned him widespread praise from both guests and listeners. He has had the privilege of interviewing a diverse range of high-profile figures, including Patrick Mahomes, Jennifer Garner, Dan Aykroyd, Kobe Bryant, Padma Lakshmi, and Brad Paisley. His ability to connect with entrepreneurs, celebrities, and industry leaders has made Taste Radio a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving world of food and beverage.
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) 2016 show came to a close today, but our coverage of event is just beginning. In this Instagram photo gallery, we revisit new products, line extensions and brand updates introduced at the NACS show.
Sparkling Ice maker Talking Rain has announced the hire of Brian Kuz as its new CMO. Kuz’s career spans over 30 years with CPG companies. Kuz was most recently the Global Head of Trade Marketing and Insights at Red Bull GmbH in Austria.
The 2016 edition of the National Association of Convenience Stores show is in full swing and BevNET is on hand to cover the massive event, held from Oct. 19-21 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga. This photo gallery covers new products, brand intros and news on trends in the convenience store channel that we saw on the first day on the convention.
Dunn, most recently the president of Campbell Soup’s Campbell Fresh (C-Fresh) division, takes the reins from Juicero founder Doug Evans, who will retain his role as chairman of the company.
In this edition of the BevNET podcast, we’re joined by Gerry Khermouch, a longtime beverage reporter and the editor of email newsletter Beverage Business Insights. Khermouch shares insights from over two decades as a beverage journalist, including what he calls the “dirty secret” about successful beverage brands.
COCO5 today announced new distribution of its all-natural flavored coconut water beverages in 415 Target stores across the U.S. Meanwhile, premium soda and kombucha maker Reed’s, Inc. announced that its Reed’s Ginger Brew products are now available in 1,335 Target stores throughout the country.
Last week food and beverage accelerator and investor AccelFoods announced the addition of six brands to its portfolio, including calamansi juice brand Mansi. Calamansi is a high-intensity citrus fruit that is used extensively in the Philippines, and Mansi’s single SKU blend is the company’s version of a “Filipino lemonade.”
Trevor Nelson, the co-founder and managing partner of private equity firm Alliance Consumer Growth shares some details about the firm’s approach to evaluating investment opportunities. In particular, Nelson explains why ACG, which closed on a new $210 million fund in February, doesn’t “make bets” when it comes to funding decisions.
BevNET’s podcast team met with Rovell at his home in New Jersey for a broad discussion on the current state of the sports beverage category, one that offers an insider’s take on the segment’s gatekeepers, from boardrooms to locker rooms.
CSPI faults PepsiCo with misrepresenting some Naked products, including the brand’s “Kale Blazer,” by claiming that they "predominantly consist of high-value ingredients," but in actuality are mostly comprised of orange and apple juice.
Snap Kitchen, a fast-growing retail chain that sells healthy grab-and-go meals, snacks and beverages, has partnered with super-premium coffee company La Colombe to launch a co-branded line of bottled coffees. Snap Kitchen operates 49 locations in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Chicago and Philadelphia and the new products, both made with La Colombe’s “cold-pressed” coffee, are sold in all of its stores.
BevNET's podcast team recently sat down with John Haugen, the vice president and general manager of General Mills’ 301 Inc. incubation unit. In this edition of the podcast, Haugen discusses how 301 evaluates opportunities for investment in emerging trends and early-stage companies and why finding “natural ways for food to work harder” is an important consideration in the unit's investment strategy.
At Natural Products Expo East 2016, BevNET spoke with Cham co-founder Niko Nikolaou who discussed the company’s approach to aligning awareness for cold brew coffee with tea, how Cham is educating consumers about health benefits derived from cold brewing tea and why high pressure processing is of critical importance to the brand.
Super-premium dairy alternative brand NüMoo unveiled a revamped label and several innovative line extensions, including an Edamame Soy Milk, at Natural Products Expo East 2016. In an interview with BevNET, NüMoo co-founder Joe Savino said that the updates represent a continued focus on producing nutrient-laden and clean label formulations for plant-based milks.
