At the Specialty Food Association's recent Winter Fancy Food Show in Las Vegas, George Hajjar, associate editor at the SFA, spoke with Cathy Strange, ambassador of food culture at Whole Foods Market. In this episode, they discussed how to teach others to taste with their five senses, what grocery buyers look for in specialty products, and standout trends for the year.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Denver-based beverage brand Frescos Naturales fills their beautiful cans with traditional aguas frescas with a twist, featuring classic flavors like tamarind, hibiscus, and mango. In this episode, Gretchen VanEsselstyn, SFA’s director of education, speaks with Juan Stewart about his journey to taste success, including his Shark Tank appearance!Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Lewis Road Creamery is a New Zealand-based maker of the 10 Star Certified Salted Butter that was named Specialty Food Association’s 2023 sofi Product of the Year at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City.In this episode, Julie Gallagher, director of content development for SFA, speaks with Lewis Road Creamery’s co-founder and director of marketing and communications, Lynette Maan, and vice president of sales and operations, Steve Muir, about the premium butter space, their product’s sofi win, and how Lewis Road Creamery does right by farmers, animals, and the Earth. Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

New York-based shiitake mushroom chip company Popadelics is on a mission to bring attention to under-loved vegetables. In this episode, George Hajjar, associate editor at the SFA, speaks with co-founders and life partners Marilyn Yang and Michael Casali about transitioning to the food world from a finance background, the origins of the pandemic-born snack, and their recent success, particularly in alternate channels including Urban Outfitters. Additionally, Yang highlights some of the brand’s philanthropic achievements, including its partnership with the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

In this episode, Megan Rooney, Program Development Manager, sits down with the dynamic duo behind SAYSO, a New York-based premium cocktail company founded by two Harvard Business School graduates. Alison Evans and Chloe Bergson take us on a journey from their humble beginnings crafting cocktails in mason jars to their innovative transition to tea bags for a convenient 3-minute cocktail experience. They share their insights on reinventing classic cocktails, and emphasize the value of taking the plunge before you feel fully prepared.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

New Zealand-based Heilala Vanilla was co-founded by a father and daughter who show their commitment to the people and land of Tonga with every bean and batch. In this episode, Gretchen VanEsselstyn, SFA’s director of education, speaks with Jennifer Boggiss about Heilala’s connections with chefs, journey to retail, B-Corp certification, and positive impact.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Sam Mogannam is a chef and second-generation owner of San Francisco’s Bi-Rite Market and founder of the B Corp certified Bi-Rite Family of Businesses, which includes two specialty markets, a creamery, catering commissary, and a nonprofit cooking school and education space. In this episode, Julie Gallagher, director of content development for Specialty Food Association, speaks with Mogannam about the rich sensory experience that can be had at Bi-Rite, how he strives to maintain its B Corp status, and plans for a new store opening.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Dominic Biggi is a third-generation owner of Beaverton Foods, a gourmet condiments maker that also co-packs. In this episode of Spill & Dish, SFA’s 2023 Hall of Fame inductee talks about carving out his niche in a family business, the company’s more than 500 recipes, and what’s next for the specialty food business.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Cold-pressed grapeseed oil produces a high-quality, nutrient-rich product that can be used to bake, sauté, top salads, and more. Salute Santé’s upcycled, chef-inspired grapeseed oil is a recent 2023 Gold Sofi Award winner and has been a leader in the alternative oil category for decades. The company also makes infused oils and grapeseed flour.In this episode of Spill & Dish, George Hajjar, content development associate at the Specialty Food Association, speaks with co-founders and life partners Valentin and Nanette Humer about the company’s mission to bring sustainability to the industry, how it began, and how its suite of products is produced.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

In this episode, Megan Rooney, Program Development Manager at SFA, chats with Shawn Askinosie, the visionary founder & CEO of Askinosie Chocolate, about being a bean-to-bar chocolate trailblazer, making a positive impact on the lives of cocoa farmers worldwide, his upcoming Chocolate University trip to Tanzania, and how SFA was pivotal in connecting him with buyers.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Patrick Ford is the vice president of Ford’s Gourmet Foods, the family-owned brand that makes Bone Suckin’ Sauce, rubs, and seasonings, and is constantly innovating flavors and recipes to bring a dynamic breadth of products. In this episode, George Hajjar, associate editor at the SFA, speaks with Ford about working in a family business, and how it developed from humble origins into an award-winning brand.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Cynthia Duran, owner of Xinca Foods, had been seeking a vegan cheese to accompany her pupusas when, at the 2022 Summer Fancy Food Show, she met fellow exhibitor Dina DiCenso, cofounder of RIND by Dina and Joshua, who was debuting RIND's Carrot Cheese. In this episode, recorded on the 2023 Summer Fancy Food Show Big Idea Stage, Julie Gallagher, SFA’s director of content development, delves into how their serendipitous meeting led to the launch of Carrot Cheese and Loroco Pupusas.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Emre Imamoglu saw an opportunity to bring healthy eating habits from the Mediterranean to a U.S. audience in the form of CiboVita. In this episode, George Hajjar, associate editor at the Specialty Food Association, spoke with Imamoglu about the company’s health-first approach, its sofi award-winning product, and the business strategies that enabled its success.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Twenty years ago, Jonathan Milo Leal launched Milo’s Whole World Gourmet, an Ohio-based specialty food maker of Sofi Award winning products, that also offers boutique co-packing services. In this episode, Julie Gallagher, director of content development at SFA, chats with the entrepreneur about how he got his start, the business lessons he’s learned through the years, and the unique perspective he brings to the co-packing world.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

In this episode, Megan Rooney, Program Development Manager at SFA, chats with David Gremmels of Rogue Creamery about the kismet that led him to cheese making, how gardening led to flavor innovation, his commitment to sustainability, and how SFA helped him jump start distribution.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Marisol Villalobos grew up on a coffee farm and she is an expert in agriculture, microbiology, and delicious specialty food. Her one-ingredient product was the first sofi award winner from Puerto Rico! On this episode of Spill & Dish, host Gretchen VanEsselstyn talks with Marisol about the triumphs and challenges of creating and selling her plant-based, gluten-free, sustainable and eco-friendly product.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

In this episode, Megan Rooney, Program Development Manager, chats with David Schmunk of African Dream Foods, about delivering authentic flavors while promoting wildlife conservation through their hot sauces and spices. The 2023 SFA Leadership Award – Emerging Leader recipient discusses the curiosity that drives his career, packaging pains, and his love of trade shows.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

In this episode, Megan Rooney, Program Development Manager, chats with Luke Schneider of Fire Department Coffee, a veteran-owned business dedicated to providing great-tasting coffee to people everywhere. The 2023 SFA Leadership Award – Citizenship recipient discusses his Navy and firefighting background, roasting coffee in between shifts, and the importance of building good teams.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Sisters Jessica Amel and Angela Kmeck co-lead Janet’s Finest, a specialty food brand started by their mother that incorporates spicy jalapeños into sweet fruity compotes. In this episode of Spill & Dish, George Hajjar, associate editor of the Specialty Food Association, speaks with the sisters about driving success on social media and the importance of family and community in their brand.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Dani Zuchovicki, member and community manager at The Hatchery, began observing and later assisting her grandmother in the kitchen from an early age. Her culinary curiosity continued during her teen years, when she tested out recipes by hosting supper clubs with high school friends. These days she assists early-stage food entrepreneurs at the Chicago incubator in getting their businesses off the ground. In this episode of Spill & Dish, Julie Gallagher, content director for the Specialty Food Association, speaks with SFA’s Emerging Leader Award winner about her work with women from under served communities, the common hurdles they face, and the ways she’s assisted hundreds of food makers.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Michele Freeman, CEO and co-founder of Venice Beach Beverage, always had a love for tea. Growing up in Ohio, all her mealtime memories included her family's iced tea recipe. Today, she has taken that recipe and evolved it into the first plant-based, shelf-stable tea with 100% daily vitamins in the United States.On this episode of Spill & Dish, guest host and Cuisine Noir Magazine editor Sheree Williams speaks with Freeman about becoming a small business owner at the age of 57 and how it is never too late to follow your dreams and do what you love. Michele also shares how she took a recipe passed down from generation to generation to create a beverage that not only tastes good but is good for you too.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Director of center store for Town & Country Markets and winner of the 2023 SFA Leadership Award for Outstanding Buyer, Dwight Richmond has helped bring prominent specialty food brands to retail, including Xinca Foods, Lotus Foods, and Siete Family Foods. In this episode, George Hajjar, associate editor at SFA speaks with Richmond about enabling makers to self-mentor, understanding the spark that makes a good business, and the familial element that’s inherent in the specialty food industry.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

After leading a platoon of 45 marines in combat at the age of 23, David Kemp was looking to leverage his Harvard Business School degree. He became partner in Les Trois Petits Cochons in 2015 and has increased sales by 25 percent per year since 2017.In this Spill & Dish episode, Julie Gallagher, director of content development for SFA, talks with Kemp, SFA’s 2023 Leadership Award Winner for Vision, about his road to success, the impact of inflation, and what’s next for Village Gourmet.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

For Mike Noonan, vice president of operations for Bitchin’ Sauce, the time to do the right thing is now. By combating food waste through smart manufacturing practices, he has earned a 2023 SFA Leadership Award for sustainability.In this episode of Spill & Dish, we talk with Noonan about high pressure processing and its benefits for shelf life, the benefits of teaming up with industry partners, and what makes their 16 flavors so incredibly bitchin’.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Chef, author, and co-founder of Yolélé Pierre Thiam saw the opportunity to start his business after discovering the dearth of West African cuisine in New York City and observing how smallholder farmers in Senegal made fonio, a nutrient-dense ancient grain, and West African staple. While working on the company, he thought about the positive social and economic impacts it could have both in West Africa and across the world. In this episode of Spill & Dish, George Hajjar, associate editor at SFA, speaks with Thiam about starting his business, the importance of collaboration, and the global food supply chain.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

In this episode, Megan Rooney, Program Development Manager at SFA, speaks with Carla Krasner, Co-Founder and Co-Owner at Dufour Pastry Kitchens, about running a women-owned company since 1985, respecting tradition while being open to change, and transitioning from a career in music to one in food. Dufour nationally supplies artisanal hors d’oeuvres and other savories as well as ready-to-bake tart shells, all-butter puff pastry, and now, a plant-based dough from its plant in the South Bronx.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Caroline Cotto is co-founder and COO of Renewal Mill, an upcycled food company that works with byproducts from plant-based milk such as soybean pulp, oat pulp, and almond pulp, that are dried and milled to produce ingredients that are rich in nutrients. In this episode, Julie Gallagher, director of content at SFA, talks with Cotto about the history of upcycling, collaborations with other women-owned brands, and how specialty food businesses can get involved in the space.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Attorney, naval officer, and founder of Bon Appésweet Thereasa Black created the brand for her young toddler daughter who fell in love with dessert while Black was deployed. Since many sweets contain allergens that Black’s daughter needed to avoid, she set out to create a better-for-you chocolate bar and brand. In this episode, George Hajjar, associate editor at SFA, talks with Black about her journey as a Black, veteran, specialty food business owner, and her recent successes.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Paula Lambert is the founder and owner of Mozzarella Company, a Dallas-based artisan cheese shop, and an author of many cheese-related books including the recently rereleased The Cheese Lover’s Cookbook and Guide. In this episode, George Hajjar, associate editor at SFA, chats with Lambert about the process of making and innovating cheese flavors, growing her business, leading annual trips to Europe, and more.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Ray and Monique Dukes, partners in business and life, run Rosella Baked Goods, maker of Sweet Potato Pancake Mix, Stone Ground Grits, Seafood Breader, and Buttercream Pancake Mix. In this Spill & Dish episode, Julie Gallagher, director of content at the SFA, speaks with Ray and Monique about scaling supply chain hurdles, their experience with supplier diversity programs, and the famous sweet potato hush puppies that started it all.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Alexandra Groezinger is president of Groezinger Provisions Inc., the owner and USDA facility which produces Alexian Pate products, including pates, terrines, and mousses, and half of a mother/daughter duo that runs the company. In this episode, Julie Gallagher, content director at SFA, talks to Groezinger about how she is managing double-digit price increases, meeting “Christmas-on-steroids” type demand, and the benefits of a woman-owned certification.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Kristie Middleton is vice president of business development for Rebellyous Foods, a company that sells patties, nuggets, and tenders that cook just like breaded chicken products. She’s spent the last 20 years moving plant-based foods from the extreme to the mainstream. In this episode, Megan Rooney, education manager, chats with Kristie about the successful rebrand of Seattle Food Tech to Rebellyous Foods, selling to foodservice, and pricing so that plant-based is accessible to all.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Brooklyn Delhi founder Chitra Agrawal launched the Indian condiment and sauce brand eight years ago with the help of her now-husband, food packaging designer Ben Garthus. In this Spill & Dish episode, Julie Gallagher, SFA’s director of content, chats with Agrawal about the approachability of the brand, how she scales supply chain hurdles, and a key foodservice partnership that's placed her tomato achaar in more than a million U.S households.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Along with his two brothers, Emilio Mignucci spearheaded the second generation of Di Bruno Bros., a Philadelphia-based family-owned specialty food market. After original owners Danny and Joe let the younger generation take over, Mignucci was tasked with bringing the market to the present age, updating pricing strategies, championing e-commerce, and anticipating expansion. In this episode of SFA’s Spill and Dish podcast, George Hajjar, associate editor, talks with Mignucci about the store’s reverence toward its humble roots, and the struggles and joys involved in growing the business.HRN is home to transformative exchanges about food. Our 35+ member-supported food podcasts empower eaters to cultivate a radically better world. This month, we’re asking you to join us. Become a monthly sustaining member at heritageradionetwork.org/donate.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Consultant Lin Jiang’s grueling work schedule left her longing for the taste and sustenance of the traditional Chinese dessert that her mother made for her at breakfast time as a young girl in China. In this episode, Julie Gallagher, SFA’s director of content, talks with Jiang about how her take on her mother’s black sesame porridge grew from a worktime snack to a convenient specialty that will soon be available in every Whole Foods Market in the nation.HRN is home to transformative exchanges about food. Our 35+ member-supported food podcasts empower eaters to cultivate a radically better world. This month, we’re asking you to join us. Become a monthly sustaining member at heritageradionetwork.org/donate.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Have you tasted the most buzzworthy pasta in history? In this special episode recorded live at the Summer Fancy Food Show 2022, you’ll hear the story behind the squiggle with Dan Pashman, the creator and host of The Sporkful podcast and the inventor of cascatelli, plus the wizards who used their noodles to make it, Scott Ketchum and Steve Gonzalez of Sfoglini! Gretchen VanEsselstyn, SFA’s education director, extrudes the fascinating process behind this blockbuster success.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Remedy Organics is a line of 100% plant-based protein beverages using the finest Superfoods, Ayurvedics, Botanical Herbs, and Prebiotics with functional benefits that go well beyond hydration and general nutrition. In this episode, Megan Rooney, Education Manager at SFA, chats with Founders Cindy and Henry Kasindorf about the passion for wellness that launched the brand, how they are bringing convenient nutrition to the world, and advice on running a business with your spouse.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Stonewall Kitchen started out at a local farmers’ market in Maine in 1991, but has since grown into a well-known and well-loved family of lifestyle and specialty food brands. In this episode, George Hajjar, associate editor at SFA, chats with chief sales marketing officer, Natalie King, about her experience working with and growing the award-winning family business.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Stephen Caldwell, founder of Swiss Rosti, discovered these crispy filled potatoes during his travels and brought the gluten-free, low cholesterol treats to U.S. households. In this Spill & Dish episode, Julie Gallagher, SFA’s director of content, talks with Caldwell about his Fancy Food Show debut in Incubator Village and how he gained national distribution by the next year's Show.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

At Hella Cocktail Co., bitter is the tastiest flavor of all. In this episode, host Gretchen VanEsselstyn, SFA’s director of education, speaks with founder Jomaree Pinkard about the massive trend toward non-alcoholic adult drinks, his journey to specialty beverage success, and his commitment to mentoring new entrepreneurs. Listen here and follow Spill & Dish: A Specialty Food Association podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Rick Field, founder, CEO, and chief pickler at Rick’s Picks’ passion for pickles began as a child, when he made them alongside his folks during summers in Vermont. In this episode of Spill & Dish, Julie Gallagher, director of content at the SFA, chats with Field about his transition from a TV producer career at VH1; how he built an award-winning brand and forged relationships with foodservice heavy hitters like Shake Shack; and the one thing he recently did, that would only be done “over my dead body,” just a few years ago.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Purely Elizabeth specializes in nutritious, nutrient-dense breakfast foods including the top selling granola in the natural channel. In this episode, Megan Rooney, Education Manager at SFA, chats with CEO and Founder, Elizabeth Stein, about her background in nutrition, how Purely Elizabeth got its start, and the happy accident that landed her a deal with Target.Are you a business owner? Become an HRN business member! For $500 HRN will shine a light on your work AND you will help sustain our mission to expand the way people think about food. As a thank you for this tax-deductible donation, your business will receive on-air mentions, social media posts, listings on our website and more. Go to heritageradionetwork.org/biz to become a business member today.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

At Point Reyes, the most flavorful cheeses come from contented cows – and people. In this episode, host Gretchen VanEsselstyn, SFA’s director of education, speaks with Jill Giacomini Basch about the benefits of being a certified women-owned business, the Victory American cheese movement, and how sustainable farming on the California coast makes for breathtaking cheeses like Bay Blue. Listen here and follow Spill & Dish: A Specialty Food Association podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

In the latest episode of Spill & Dish: A Specialty Food Association podcast, host Julie Gallagher, SFA’s director of content, speaks with Channy Laux, founder of Angkor Cambodian Food about how she survived the Cambodian Killing Fields and after seeking refuge in the U.S., climbed the ranks of the biotech industry before trading it in to honor her late mother and her recipes by introducing Americans to authentic Cambodian ingredients and dishes. Listen here and follow Spill & Dish: A Specialty Food Association podcast wherever you get your podcasts.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Chuao (chew-wow) Chocolatier are crafters of pleasure through chocolate. In this episode, host Megan Rooney, SFA’s Education Manager, talks with Michael Antonorsi, co-founder and owner of Chuao, about his transition from biomedical engineering to culinary school in Paris to embarking on a mission to share joy with the world though deliciously engaging chocolate experiences. Learn how Chuao asks all to choose joy with them, and to activate change through chocolate to make this world a more unified, joyful, and colorful place.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

What’s it like to work for an association that is founded on salsa, jerky, kombucha, bonbons, pâté, and thousands of other specialty foods? Pretty sweet. In this episode, you’ll meet the team behind Spill & Dish as they share stories about the business, reveal where they love to shop and dine, and share the scoop behind the Fancy Food Show.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

Since 2009, Laura Sorkin and her husband, Eric, have taken maple syrup to the next level, hitting lists from Food & Wine to Oprah’s Favorite Things. Their family-owned, Vermont-based company, Runamok, has grown from organic maple syrup to an array of maple-based products to now, honey. In this episode, host Megan Rooney, SFA’s Education Specialist, talks with Laura about how pushing the bar on flavor profiles and an obsession with quality ingredients helped them disrupt an established category. Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

The Renfro family has been making condiments for over 80 years in Fort Worth, Texas. In 1963, the current Mrs. Renfro’s brand was created to honor Arthurine Renfro, grandmother of the current owners, who started the business with her husband George. In this episode, president Doug Renfro, talks about tradition, flavor, packaging, social media, and the passion for innovation that keeps this third-generation family company going.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.

What makes a specialty food special? At the Specialty Food Association, we like to say that every member has a story. Spill & Dish brings you the stories of the entrepreneurs, makers, and sellers who are shaping the future of food. Listen and discover the inspiration, recipe, craft, culture, ingredients, and production methods that make a true specialty food and get a deeper understanding of the people and motivation behind the products—beyond what you’ll read on a label. If you have a recipe you’ve thought about bringing to market or a brand you are launching, if you are a buyer in the trade, or simply a food lover, this podcast is for you.Spill & Dish is Powered by Simplecast.