The Food Intelligence Podcast

Speed and precision have become the new competitive edge. In this candid discussion from the Tastewise Growth Summit in Chicago, Tess Sansbury (DSM-Firmenich) and Sacha Derevianko (Campbell’s) share how their teams are redefining the go-to-market process - blending insight, collaboration, and technology to deliver faster innovation and stronger alignment across R&D, marketing, and sales.From Campbell’s flavor innovation to DSM-Firmenich’s creative execution frameworks, this episode is packed with real-world lessons on working smarter in today’s fast-moving F&B ecosystem.Listen for: how agile teams turn insights into action and creativity into growth.Prefer to watch? Click here to access the full video recording.

What really drives the next generation of eaters? Nay Tjatur from Influential brings together real Gen Z consumers for an unfiltered look at how social media, authenticity, and convenience shape what they buy, eat, and crave.Hear firsthand perspectives on influencer culture, brand trust, and the balance between health and indulgence - straight from the voices shaping the future of food.Listen for: an honest, fresh look at how brands can connect with Gen Z audiences (and some Gen Z lingo that you may or may not understand)Featuring: Mariana Montealegre Pinto, Karim Limayem, Keon Berry, Isabella Peixoto GomesPrefer to watch? [Click here to access the full video recording.]

What does it take to lead through transformation in today’s food and beverage landscape? At this year's Tastewise Growth Summit, Tastewise CEO Alon Chen offers an energizing look at how AI and human creativity are reshaping leadership, innovation, and execution. From data-driven insight to the new pace of decision-making, this session explores how leaders can move faster, think bolder, and build smarter organizations.Listen for: practical strategies to connect data, creativity, and agility in your leadership approach.Prefer to watch? Click here to access the full video recording.

In this episode of The Food Intelligence Podcast, Miriam Aniel from Tastewise sits down with Kevin Ryan - the brain behind FoodStuff and Malachite Strategy & Research - for a candid conversation about how culture, emotion, and identity are reshaping the future of CPGs.Together, they unpack how authenticity is redefining what “premium” means, why real meat is making a comeback, and how consumer behavior is driving a new era of purpose-led growth in food and beverage. It’s an honest look at the people and cultural shifts behind the data.In this episode:The rise of “quiet luxury” and food as identityWhy the next big opportunity for CPGs lies in emotional fluencyThe return of “real food” as a wellness and sustainability playHow culture and consumption are becoming inseparableAbout Kevin Ryan: Kevin is the founder of FoodStuff, a must-read weekly newsletter exploring the intersection of food, culture, and business. You can subscribe at foodstuff.substack.com.

Operators are navigating an industry defined by volatility, shifting diner behaviors, labor shortages, and rising expectations. In this insightful panel from the Tastewise Growth Summit in Chicago, leaders from Accenture, Monin, Butterball, and IFMA unpack how supplier–operator relationships are evolving and what’s needed to stay relevant in a market that changes by the month.Discover how data, speed, and true partnership can help suppliers meet operator demands and deliver value beyond the plate.Listen for: actionable insights into collaboration, agility, and the new meaning of value in foodservice.Featuring: Taylor Crown (Accenture), Carrie Gillespie (Monin), Terry Wicks (Butterball), Mike Schwartz (IFMA)Prefer to watch? Click here to access the full video recording.

From labor to logistics, operators are under pressure to grow profitably in an unpredictable environment. In this dynamic discussion from the Tastewise Growth Summit in Chicago, Anna Nguyen of MTY Group and Kevin Wilson of Esrock share how they’re approaching future menus, innovating smarter, and rethinking the guest experience - all while protecting margins and maintaining brand integrity.Listen for: how leading operators are balancing creativity with control to drive sustainable growth.Prefer to watch? Click here to access the full video recording.

In a world full of tools, platforms, and data silos, integration is becoming the true growth driver. This conversation from the Tastewise Growth Summit in Chicago brings together leaders from TELUS Agriculture, Acxion Foodservice, IFMA, and Tastewise to explore how connected systems are transforming productivity, insight delivery, and decision-making across the food ecosystem.Learn how smart integration is reducing friction, empowering sales teams, and unlocking faster, more informed growth.Listen for: practical lessons in digital transformation and adoption from across the industry.Featuring: Dan Scheunemann (TELUS), Sandra Hong (Acxion Foodservice), Mike Schwartz (IFMA), Jacques Botbol (Tastewise)Prefer to watch? Click here to access the full video recording.

In this highly anticipated episode, we unpack Tastewise’s 2026 Food & Beverage Trend Forecast — our annual deep dive into the cultural, health, and innovation shifts shaping what’s next on the plate and in the glass.We break down the year’s biggest forces, including:Food as Identity Reconnection — why authenticity, heritage, and “anti-fake” foods are winning consumer trust.The New Body OS — how GLP-1s, fertility, and cognitive health are turning pantries into personal health systems.Quiet Luxury & Small Indulgences — the rise of understated premium, from cocktails to everyday staples.Sensory Maximalism — why textures that crack, pop, and fizz are the new frontier of experience.Why it matters for you: If you’re a brand, retailer, or foodservice operator, this isn’t just about spotting fun products on TikTok. It’s about understanding the cultural context your consumers are living in. The brands that win in 2026 won’t just follow flavors — they’ll enable self-expression, health calibration, and authentic connections.Whether you’re building the next functional beverage, planning retail strategy, or thinking through your marketing strategy, this episode will give you the data-backed foresight to make smarter, faster, future-ready decisions.Get your copy of the full report here, and watch the full webinar here. Questions? Talk to us: live @ tastewise dot io 

This summer isn’t just hot (like, really hot) — it’s giving interesting clues for what’s next in food and beverage. In this episode, we break down the top trends from our Q3 Summer Trends Report to help you understand what today’s consumers are craving right now. From new flavor favorites to shifting priorities across retail and foodservice, these insights are essential for anyone shaping what shows up on shelves and menus this season.Get your copy of the report here, and let us know what you think!

Did you miss this year's IFT FIRST and the zillions of snack samples on the floor? We’ve got you covered (well, except for the samples). Tastewise was on the ground at IFT First 2025, and in this quick and casual episode, we’ll break down the five most important takeaways from the floor — from the latest in AI-powered innovation to what’s next in consumer health, sustainability, and product development.Let us know what resonated with you!

Couldn’t make it to Chicago — or still processing everything you saw on the show floor? Join Lee and Miriam from the Tastewise team for a fast-paced, insight-packed recap of the biggest themes, trends, and innovations from the 2025 National Restaurant Association Show. We’ll cover:The emerging trends that stole the spotlightWhat’s top of mind for foodservice leaders right nowWhere AI, menu innovation, and operational efficiency are heading nextWhether you walked every aisle or watched from afar, this session will help you cut through the noise and turn inspiration into action.

Inflation continues to reshape the food and beverage industry—but not all cost increases are created equal. Some are real, driven by supply chain constraints, while others are "manufactured" through business strategies like delivery fee markups. The market is changing, and it can be challenging to create pricing strategies that meet the moment. In this webinar, we'll unpack it all, analyzing consumer behavior shifts, and exploring how brands, retailers, and foodservice operators can use AI-driven insights to stay competitive.This is a recording of our most recent "rapid response" webinar -- if you want to jump straight to the insights, head to 03:35. Resources: Full video recordingSlides

The 2025 food tariffs are here, and they’re already shaking up pricing, sourcing, and competition across the food industry. With costs rising on key ingredients, private label gaining ground, and supply chains under pressure, how can food brands and operators stay profitable?In this episode, Wesley and Tastewise's CEO Alon Chen break down:The real impact of tariffs on food costs and menu strategyHow operators can secure pricing and find smart ingredient substitutesWhy real-time consumer insights are critical for justifying pricing shiftsThe role of data and AI in adapting faster than the competitionIf you’re in foodservice, retail, or manufacturing, this episode will give you the tools to navigate uncertainty and turn market shifts into opportunities.

In this episode, we’re sharing insights from our 2025 Trend Report, where we break down the key shifts in consumer behavior, ingredient innovation, and market dynamics that will shape the food and beverage industry in the year ahead.You’ll hear data-backed insights and real-world examples designed to help you plan smarter for 2025—whether you're focused on product development, marketing, or menu innovation. If you’re looking to turn trend forecasts into actionable strategies, this session is for you. Let us know your thoughts at live (at) tastewise (dot) io! PS: Phew - tech got the best of us with this recording! Please excuse the static, bumps, and tech glitches, we promise it's worth the listen ;) 

How are ingredient innovations shaping the future of food? In this episode, Lee talks with Peter Losee, VP Marketing at Bluegrass Ingredients, about the latest advancements in ingredient technology.Peter shares practical insights on developing unique, market-ready products and how ingredient innovation can create new opportunities for product developers and marketers. 

What’s next for foodservice? Our 2025 foodservice predictions episode is here! In this episode, Miriam sits down with Sam Newman, Tastewise’s Director of Strategic Accounts and a foodservice expert, to unpack key trends shaping the industry’s future.From emerging consumer behaviors to game-changing technologies and mindset shifts, Sam and Miriam unpack 2025's top need-to-know insights. If you’re looking to stay ahead of evolving market dynamics and understand what’s driving the future of foodservice, this episode is a must-listen.This episode was originally produced as a webinar with our friends at IFMA, the Food Away from Home Assocation.

What role does AI play in driving growth for food brands? In this episode, Steve Canale, SVP at Butterball, shares how the company uses artificial intelligence to understand consumers, streamline operations, and improve marketing efforts.Through real-world examples, Steve offers a practical look at how AI can create meaningful impact in the food industry. If you're curious about the intersection of technology and business growth in the manufacturing sector, this episode is full of insights worth exploring. Let us know your thoughts! 

How is AI changing the way brand managers work? In this episode, we sit down with Nitzan Aviv, former Coca-Cola brand manager, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping marketing and innovation.Nitzan breaks down real-world examples and shares practical tips for using AI to streamline your workflow, connect with customers, and stay ahead of trends. Whether you're looking to fine-tune your current approach or try something new, this conversation offers insights you can put into action today.

In today’s episode,  I’m joined by Tastewise’s head of Content, Wesley Allan to discuss Foodservice trends we’ve been tracking in 2024 across the US, UK and Australia. We break down what consumer needs are fueling the emergence of cuisines, what items on menu are showing the greatest price inflation, and a surprising new condiment that might be the hottest one to watch this summer.The content in this podcast follows our recent foodservice trend report which you can access on our website here https://tastewise.io/report

In today’s episode, we’re joined by plant-based marketing guru, Shingly Lee to discuss marketing strategies to help brands stand out from the crowded plant-based pack and hear how her experience working at mega-brands like Kraft Heinz and Danone helped her bring Alpha Food’s brand presence to the silver screens of Hollywood!