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.
In a presentation at BevNET Live Summer 2017, Humm Kombucha CEO Jaime Danek explained that the brand's approachable taste profile, mainstream flavors, and label design were -- and remain -- keys to its success in conventional retailers.
Episode 68 of the Taste Radio podcast features interviews with Jennie Ripps, the CEO and co-founder of tea-based cocktail mixer and beer brand Owl’s Brew, Pete Speranza, who is a New Business Development Principal with General Mills’ business development and venture capital arm 301INC, and the latest edition of Elevator Talk with Jason Petrou, the founder of Clean Energy Organics.
Protein-infused water brand Protein2O has added two beverage industry veterans to its leadership team and raised $4 million in new funding as it seeks to establish a leadership position in the segment of low-calorie protein beverages.
Sports drink brand Roar Beverages announced a partnership with incubator L.A. Libations; Blossom Water picked up new placement in 750 grocery stores; Big Easy Bucha lands new distribution at Publix; Icelandic Glacial signs deal for distribution in China.
This week’s episode of the Taste Radio podcast includes a feature conversation with Alex Galindez, a veteran marketing executive in the food, beverage and media industries who leads guayusa-based beverage company Runa.
In an interview at the recently held 2017 Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City, Graham Fortgang, co-founder of MatchaBar, explained that the company’s cafes in Manhattan and Los Angeles act as a “huggable billboards” for the brand’s RTD drinks as well as incubators for innovative ideas.
At the 2017 Summer Fancy Food Show in June, BevNET spoke with five early-stage beverage brands, each of which market innovative concepts for packaged drinks and unique takes on emerging beverage categories.
Dora’s Naturals named exclusive distributor of Vita Coco Coconutmilk in NYC; Veggemo enters 1,500 U.S. retailers; PhURE Water hits Idaho; KeHE to distribute organic kids’ water Wonder+Well; maker of Wild Tonic Kombucha partners With Quail Distributing.
Gary Hirshberg, the co-founder and chairman of dairy company Stonyfield Farm and a highly influential figure in the organic food movement, shares war stories ranging from the company’s pastoral beginnings, to its decade-long struggle for financing, and on to its eventual sale, mining them for wisdom that will resonate with any food and beverage professional.
CideRoad founder and CEO Kevin Duffy hopes that the company’s latest innovation, Spritzel, will help bolster consumer awareness of switchel, an apple cider vinegar-based beverage, as “America’s original soft drink.”
Over the course of the 2017 Summer Fancy Food Show, a three-day specialty foods convention held at the Jacob Javits Center in New York City from June 25-27, we encountered a broad array of new products, design revamps and line extensions, all of which are included in this photo gallery.
At first, suppliers weren’t sure what to make of the deal, with numerous food and beverage companies reserving their comments. Now, after more than a week’s reflection, many have told BevNET and sister site Project NOSH they are excited about the potential sales opportunities the partnership could provide, expressing enthusiasm for how it will maintain or even enhance Whole Foods’ reputation as a launching pad for small brands.
In short, the life of Todd Carmichael can be defined by his zealous thirst for adventure and his unbridled passion for coffee. Brevity, however, doesn’t quite capture the scope of Carmichael’s incredible journey as the co-founder and CEO of super-premium coffee company La Colombe.
In a call with BevNET, Uncle Matt’s CEO Matt McLean said that while there were a variety of potential options for both new investment and acquisition of the company, “we fell in love the Dean Foods team and what they could offer."
