Elevator Talk
Elevator Talk showcases up-and-coming food and beverage brands to the industry, giving founders a chance to put their brand in the spotlight and share their story. Meet the founders behind the hottest brands hitting the market and hear their plans to stand out on shelves.
Each episode features a group of brand leaders, the host, and an industry expert, who asks follow-up questions and provides feedback for each entrepreneur.
Retailers, investors, distributors, suppliers, service providers and fellow brands can tune into the live feed on the BevNET and NOSH homepages as well as on the BevNET LinkedIn and NOSH LinkedIn pages on Wednesdays at 3pm ET.
Want to participate in a future episode? Apply for Elevator Talk.
Watch previous episodes on our Elevator Talk video playlist.
Elevator Talk: Pan’s Mushroom Jerky Brings Umami Flavor to Meatless Snacking
Michael Pan is the founder of Panco Foods, the maker of Pan’s Mushroom Jerky. The plant-based snack is based on a family recipe from Malaysia that utilizes umami shiitake mushrooms to create a meat alternative.
Elevator Talk: The Matzo Project Reinvents a Traditional Jewish Snack
Ashley Albert is the co-founder of The Matzo Project, a company that’s bringing artisanship and personality to a traditional Jewish food. Through humorous branding and fun flavors, the company is reaching beyond the Jewish consumer base and tapping into a wider audience.
Elevator Talk: Soñar Aims to Empower Latino Community with Mission-Based Snack Brand
Maria Garcia Brennan and Pete Brennan are the co-founders of Soñar Foods, a company that’s developed a line of grain-free tortilla chips. The company utilizes organic ingredients like garbanzo beans and chia seeds to create a nutritional snack packed with plant-based protein and fiber.
Elevator Talk: Nomad Eats Creates Plant-Based Cheese Sauces Coined “Liquid Gold”
Jasmine Singh is the co-founder of Nomad Eats, a company that is focused on creating plant-based whole food products that taste like “liquid gold”. The brand has developed vegan nacho and mac and cheese sauces aimed to change consumers’ minds about how healthy vegan products taste.
Elevator Talk: Grain Elevator Crafts Snacks from Spent Brewery Grains
Grain Elevator produces a line of snacks that features upcycled spent grains sourced from local brewers. Founder and CEO Troy Derego uses his experience in baking sourdough bread to craft nutritious crackers for specialty food consumers and craft beer lovers.
Elevator Talk: Wanna Date? Satisfies Sweet Cravings Naturally with Date Spreads
Wanna Date? founder Melissa Bartow aims to satisfy consumers’ sweet tooth with a a line of all-natural and innovative date-based spreads. The product is allergen and vegan friendly with half the calories of nut butter, offering a healthy alternative that still feels indulgent.
Elevator Talk: Jafflz Innovates in Frozen with South African Inspired Sandwich Pouches
Jafflz founder and CEO Meryl Van Der Merwe is disrupting the frozen handheld category with a new concept, toasted sandwich pouches filled with premium ingredients. The company aims to make this unique cuisine approachable, giving mom’s a healthy and convenient alternative in the freezer aisle.
Elevator Talk: Kiss My Keto Offers Line for Low-Carb Lifestyle
Kiss My Keto co-founder Alexander Bird aims to make living a ketogenic or low-carb lifestyle easy for consumers. The company’s line of supplements, nutrition bars and sugar-free chocolates are designed to offer the proper macronutrient ratio to meet the needs of the keto community.
Elevator Talk: Countertop Elevates Everyday Cooking with Functional Ingredients
Countertop’s mission is to bring functional ingredients and great flavor to everyday cooking. Jamie Kantrowitz, the co-founder and CEO of Countertop, aims to make it easier for consumers to elevate their meals with her line of seasonings, honeys and butters that are minimally processed and incorporate ingredients like turmeric, ginger, tulsi and moringa
Elevator Talk: To’ak Expands Beyond Premium to Share High-Quality Cacao with Consumers
To’ak is pioneering a new way for consumers to experience chocolate. The mission-based brand focused on conservation launched an ultra premium product in 2014, and is now ready to expand its offerings to target a wider range of consumers. Based in Ecuador, To’ak is vertically integrated, controlling the entire process of cacao production and chocolate making, including harvesting, fermentation, roasting, packaging and fulfillment.