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.
Bob Burke, the founder of Natural Products Consulting, has seen dozens of new brand pitches in his 25+ years working in the food and beverage industries. In each encounter with a new entrepreneur, Burke says that he asks a few simple questions to gauge whether or not a brand will have a chance in the marketplace.
Pour-over adherents claim that the coffee offers elevated notes of flavor as compared to other brewing methods, while the process itself is often lauded as exquisite and ceremonious. Nevertheless, the cost of café-bought versions can add up quickly; the drinks are made to order and a single cup can cost upwards of $4.
Based on Nielsen C-Store sales data for the four-week period ending on Oct. 25, the Coca-Cola Co. saw a 4.9 percent leap in year-over-year dollar sales of its CSD products within the channel.
One of the buzziest trends in coffee involves mixing the liquid with a well-known, dairy-based product. Hearing it described like that, the combination seems like a relatively common and benign pairing. The familiar ingredient, however, is none other than butter. Yes, butter.
Packaged in a custom-molded 16.9 oz. bottle, the new look also unifies the brand’s tea and “Honest-Ade” products into a single line, the latter reformulated and positioned as herbal teas.
Coke quietly announced the move at last month’s National Association of Convenience Stores show, where it sampled the mid-calorie product among a host of other new and soon-to-be-launched products, and yesterday made the news official.
The New York Times earlier this week released a story detailing the efforts a lawyer representing 5-hour Energy who was said to have successfully swayed Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster into dropping an inquiry looking into whether the company had engaged in deceptive and misleading advertising.
The wholesaler, which had just a few months earlier completed a multi-million-dollar capital raise, is faced with swelling bills, irate suppliers and a full-scale retreat from several distribution territories.
For those completely unfamiliar with switchel, you’re not alone; it’s a beverage that, until recently, hasn’t been widely consumed since colonial times.
The Wall Street Journal reported that PepsiCo and SodaStream have agreed to a “small-scale, limited-time test” that will begin in the coming weeks.
Amid a downturn in consumption of legacy soda products, upstarts like Minta, Sipp, Something Natural and POP Water are gaining steam in variety of regions across the country and in retailers ranging from single-store grocers to regional giants.
Chivas Regal has introduced Chivas Regal Extra — its first new global expression since 2007. Complementing its collection of premium blended Scotch whiskies, Chivas Regal Extra is a special selection of whiskies matured in Oloroso sherry casks together with the rarest and finest Chivas malts.
Coke today revealed that Joe Tripodi, its Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer, will be succeeded be Marcos De Quinto, who has been President of Coke’s Iberia Business Unit since 2000.
Coke’s numbers for the three month period fell short of analyst expectations and elicited what company Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent described as a “hard look at our progress to date.”
