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!

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!

In today’s episode, we’re joined by gen AI expert and Co-Founder of The Neuron, Pete Huang, to discuss one of the most buzzy topics of the year - generative AI! 

Pete will discuss the difference between AI and gen AI, describe the state of the market regarding gen AI’s applications in food & beverage, and give us his take on what technological developments to look out for in the next 6 months. 

For more information on Pete or The Neuron - check out their website and LinkedIn pages here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/petehuang/; https://www.theneuron.ai/. 

In this webinar, Lee (TW) speaks with Jessica Yankell and Olivia Kiraly, members of the Insights and Strategy team of PBNA (PepsiCo Beverages Noth America), about how Tastewise fits into their insights process. They highlight strategies for responding to challenging briefs and last-minute requests.

This content is valuable for insight and research professionals looking to hear from industry leaders, as well as those curious about how to scale up the efficiency of their company's insights team. 

Our Panelists:

Jessica Yankell - Director, Long-Term Innovation Insights & Strategy PBNA

Olivia Kiraly - Senior Manager, Long-Term Innovation Insights + Strategy PBNA

In this episode, we unveil Tastewise’s top 8 trend predictions for 2024. Our predictions go beyond the mainstream macro drivers and uncover off-the-beaten-path trend moments that will surprise and delight you.

So, get ready to have your taste buds tantalized as we dive deep into the emerging trends that will take center stage in 2024.

This episode was taken from a longer webinar format - which you can listen to in full at Tastewise.io

Happy holiday season, and as always, let us know what you think!

In this episode, we’re taking a retrospective look at the top consumer trends that dominated the food and beverage scene in 2023. Are these trends here to stay; or will they simply fade away?

In 2023, we saw several interesting trends gain popularity, from the rise of food for functional health to the increasing popularity of ingredients that embrace fusion flavors.

A few sneak peeks into this episode's topics: 

• 
  Routine & Ritual: Where, when, and how are consumers creating rituals and routines
• Women’s Health: How this once taboo topic is dominating consumer discussions
• Fusion Flavors: which flavors and cuisines are consumers adopting into their habbits

Whether you’re a food industry professional or just a curious consumer, this episode is for you.

As always, let us know what you think!

In this episode, we’re joined by Jacques Botbol, CMO of Tastewise, to discuss how to evaluate AI vendors in 2024. As AI continues to transform industries, it’s more important than ever to choose the right vendors and partners to help you achieve your organization's goals.

Jacques will share his insights on what to look for when evaluating vendors, including their experience, capabilities, and commitment to data privacy. He’ll also provide some questions that you should ask your vendor during the evaluation process.

A few sneak peeks into this episode's topics: 

• 
  Contextualized data: the difference between AI that is domain specific vs non-domain specific 
• How does AI apply to research the F&B Industry?
• A checklist to ask your vendors about their data training models and algorithms.

Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or you’re looking to scale up your existing AI initiatives, this episode is for you. 

As always, let us know what you think!

This week's episode, cohosted with IFMA in our foodservice + AI series, is all about using AI to build strategic client relationships. How can AI empower foodservice professionals with the knowledge and strategies needed to enhance their client connections and positioning in a competitive market, and what does it mean for your business? 

We discuss how food manufacturers can leverage data-driven insights into bestsellers to be more responsive and innovative in their offerings. Listen to learn tips on effective time management and client engagement strategies to be more proactive, help your sales teams sell smarter, and ultimately elevate your brand presence in the food and beverage sector. 

A few sneak peeks into this episode's topics: 

• Proactive strategies: Leverage real-time data to anticipate restaurant needs, establishing yourself as a trusted advisor.
• Menu ideation mastery: Gain insights into using bestsellers for menu ideation, recognizing emerging trends, and grasping local pricing dynamics.
• Innovative inspiration: Discover how to turn your client's menu into a hub of creativity and fresh ideas, ensuring you are always in demand.

As always, let us know what you think!

Foodservice marketing professionals and leaders of the quick-service space, this one's for you: our latest session with IFMA, the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association, all about AI in foodservice and what it means for your business. 

In an era where data-driven decisions are foundational, understanding the impact of AI on the foodservice industry is essential. In today's episode, we cover ways to move beyond traditional menu insights by harnessing the power of AI, offering you a comprehensive view of today's foodservice landscape — and what to do next. We hope you'll walk away with new ideas on how to craft tailored strategies, expand your business relationships, keep your customers at the center, and stay ahead in a competitive market.

Check out our latest blog post with the top takeaways from the session!

The end of Q2 and the start of Q3 was a busy time for food & bev conferences in the US. Did you feel like you missed out on a few?

Our team was on the ground at this year's IFT First and IFDA's SMart, and spoke to hundreds of people in the industry about what is on their minds. Welcome to this quarter's events recap, where Sam and Ian discuss:

• major trends in the industry, from foodservice to insights to tech and more;
• biggest takeaways from the field;
• the changing role AI plays right now;
• opportunities for better collaboration in the industry; 
• and even a bit about Beyoncé! 

What are your biggest takeaways from recent conferences? Let us know at live @ tastewise.io!

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:

1. The emerging trends that stole the spotlight
2. What’s top of mind for foodservice leaders right now
3. Where AI, menu innovation, and operational efficiency are heading next

Whether you walked every aisle or watched from afar, this session will help you cut through the noise and turn inspiration into action.

Are you placing your consumers at the center of everything you do? The right sources, tools, and practices are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of consumer behavior. Katie Kaylor of Mars Foods joins the pod to discuss how to effectively conduct consumer insights in an ever-changing industry. 

Highlights include: 

• The clear benefits of using multiple sources (and the role of AI)
• How to analyze data effectively and quickly 
• How to be more proactive to anticipate business - and consumer - needs
• Why cross-functional collaboration matters more than ever
• The importance of staying ethical
• and more!

Are you more of a visual learner? Check out the full webinar, complete with slides. 

Where is the food and beverage industry headed into 2024 and beyond? Our team held a special live session all about our industry learnings from Q1's conference roadshow, discussing:

• Top trends we're noticing in the industry;
• Biggest takeaways from sessions, fireside chats, and more;
• The role AI is playing right now;
• Opportunities for better collaboration in the industry; 
• and more!

Here's the deck we covered in the live session with data + real-world examples on screen. 

Got a question? Noticed something at a conference that you want to discuss? Shoot us a note at live @ tastewise.io .

This week's episode is a short and sweet repost from our friends at the Food Navigator Podcast, hosted by Flora Southey. Tastewise CEO Alon Chen joined Nick Vadasz ("The Pickle Man") of Vadasz Pickles and Ole Schaumberg of Just Legends to explain what consumers crave when it comes to holistic wellness. 

Where once healthy diets focused on weight loss alone, today’s consumers want more from their food and drink. Enter holistic nutrition, which aims to enhance people’s wellbeing – whether that be improving sleep, stress, mood or digestion. How are brands tapping into this trend?

We're excited to share a conversation between Sharon Cittone, Edible Planet Ventures CEO and Alon Chen, Tastewise CEO, originally hosted on the Food Tech Junkies podcast. Sharon and Alon explored what democratizing data means in the food and beverage industry, and what impact it can have on our food systems (and consumers!).

Want to learn more about how connections really matter for a resilient food system? Check out Sharon's TEDTalk on systemic and inclusive approaches to address climate challenges. Horizontal connections among global and local stakeholders with complementary, not competing, skills and expertise are often missing in food systems work; to make sustainable change, collaboration is the key!

Want to join the conversation? Let us know on Linkedin. 

Our very own Sam Newman recently joined our friends at The Food Fight Podcast, hosted by EIT Food, to talk about all things food trends in 2023. Special thanks to Matt and Ed for a fascinating conversation!

There are many reasons to be positive about food going into 2023, including increased global alignment on meeting sustainability goals, a continuing focus on healthier diets, and the opportunity for activists, entrepreneurs and innovators to make their mark on the food system.

As consumers face increasingly tightening budgets, they are looking to make savvy savings. This presents a great opportunity for Long Life Foods, especially alternative protein, dairy and seafood options. Still, we need to actively prioritise the message that ‘clean’ food automatically excludes anything that is processed.

As we look to the future of our food systems, the technology we use in other sectors could be utilised to transform the food system. For example, the technology used by NASA to grow crops in space could be used to help us to grow food in harsh environments, increasing our resilience to extreme weather events and climate change.

Find the original episode here. If you'd like to learn more about Tastewise's view on the future of food and beverage trends in 2023, check out our full trend report. 

On November 16th, Alon chatted with David Shaw, ESG Director, International Zone at Kraft Heinz, about sustainability, what it means for 2023, and the role food and beverage must play. They discussed:

• When we talk about sustainability in 5 years, what will the focus be?
• What's the role of Big Food in creating a food and beverage industry that's healthier for the planet? 
• How can we bridge the gap between action/value when it comes to sustainability?
• What does sustainability mean for business bottom lines?

We want to hear your thoughts! To continue the conversation on sustainability, write to us at live@tastewise.io, connect to Alon and David on Linkedin, and join us for our next Tastewise Talk online. 

When we talk about sustainability in 5 years, what will the focus be?
What impact does sustainability have on consumer behavior?
What does sustainability mean for business bottom lines?

We want to hear your thoughts! To continue the conversation on sustainability, connect with Taylor and Alon on Linkedin, write to us at live@tastewise.io, and join us for our next Tastewise Talk online. 

In this second episode of our inflation series, Ron and Miriam take a look at how inflation impacts brands like Pepsi, Coke, Beyond Meat and more across the US - and what brands of all sizes need to know when building strategies to sell into restaurants.

Ron and Miriam explore exactly what inflation means for food prices at restaurants across the US, evaluating insights across chains, geographic locations, and more for their impact on the industry.

Interest in health broadly within food and beverage is going down, but some specific health needs are on the rise. What does this tell us about today's consumers - and what does it mean for the industry? Miriam and Ron take a look at the changing world of healthy food & beverage.

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 recording
• Slides

What sauces, condiments, and dressings are consumers dipping into today - and what can we expect from the category in the year ahead? Ron and Miriam explore the top 5 concepts driving sauce trends, and the surprising connection between this category and others

Miriam and Ron introduce a primer on complex world of alternative dairy, and what to expect from the category in the coming months.

Welcome to the land down under - where food and beverage trends have their own, unique character. What can brands expect from Australian food & bev in 2022?

Food service has been through a heck of a lot in the last 2 years, from restaurants to distributors to manufacturers, and everyone in between. These changes have prompted a lot of changes on the plate - and behind the scenes. How are decisions made in today's industry? Food service sales expert Niv Saar joins Miriam to walk through different challenges and problem-solving strategies in today's landscape.

It's food service sales month! How can restaurants and their partners look at menu data to create more profitable relationships - and tastier dishes for their customers? Miriam and Ron take a look at how menu gaps reveal missing revenue opportunities.

Delivery is bigger - and better - than ever. How can delivery trends dictate strategy for restaurants and distributors? Miriam and Ron explore this question through delivery trends in and across US cities.

In this week's episode, Ron and Miriam turn their attention across the pond to the UK's dynamic and rich food and beverage scene. What trends will make the most impact in the UK in 2022?

Welcome to Season 2 of the pod! What flavor, health, and sustainability trends do you need to know about in 2022? Ron and Miriam cover the food & beverage trends worth watching in the new year in part 2 of this special 2 part series.

Welcome to Season 2 of the pod! What flavor, health, and sustainability trends do you need to know about in 2022? Ron and Miriam cover the food & beverage trends worth watching in the new year in part 1 of this special 2 part series.

When it comes to evaluating trends, how can you best understand the context? Miriam and Ron explore some of today's top consumer needs, and how they perform through takeout vs. home cooking.

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 strategy
• How operators can secure pricing and find smart ingredient substitutes
• Why real-time consumer insights are critical for justifying pricing shifts
• The role of data and AI in adapting faster than the competition

If you’re in foodservice, retail, or manufacturing, this episode will give you the tools to navigate uncertainty and turn market shifts into opportunities.

Amy Hilman joins the pod to discuss the digital transformation across food and beverage new product, marketing campaign, and sales strategy development.

What are the top cake trends this fall, and how can marketers, new product developers, and more take advantage of these trends this season? 

Miriam and Ron dive into the 3 consumer need trends you need to know about for fall, 2021.

Welcoming Rachel Yarconi from myAir to the pod! Rachel has incredible insights into the world of personalized nutrition and how CPGs can leverage this space for a positive impact on the world, consumers' lives, and of course - the business.

Everyone's talking about AI, digital transformation, and the power/promise of data - but what does that actually mean for food and beverage industry stakeholders? 

Plant-based meat alternatives are a big deal. In this episode, we cover what consumers look for in the alt meat market - and most importantly, why! Want to read the full Tastewise market report on alt proteins? Get your free copy here: https://reports.tastewise.io/hubfs/Q3%20Market%20Report%20Alternative%20Proteins.pdf

Welcoming Redefine Meat CEO Eshchar Ben Shitrit to the pod! Eshchar shares his experience of alternative proteins, and the ethos behind Redefine Meat's industry-changing work. 

Welcoming Aviv Oren from the Good Food Institute (GFI) to the pod! Aviv discuss the huge opportunity alternative proteins present the food and beverage industry, and what stakeholders need to do about it.

What makes meat, "meat"? And what constitutes an *alternative* to meat? Miriam walks us through the interesting world of alternative proteins, and what they mean for the market.

How can you understand the role seasonality plays in the life cycle of a trend? Miriam uses carrot cake - and other delicious dishes - to discuss how best to leverage seasonality to your advantage.

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 ;) 

We hear the word "trending" a lot in our industry, but what actually constitutes a trend? How can you tell if something is here to stay, or just a 'flash in the pan'? Miriam and Ron talk about the difference between a fad and a trend, and how businesses can use data on trends to their advantage. 

Consumer motivations are at the root of every single successful product, dish, or trend. How can businesses understand what motivates consumers?

Welcoming Tastewise CEO and co-founder Alon Chen to the pod! Alon and Ron discuss the role AI plays in today's F&B industry - and what to expect in the future.

Welcoming Rachel Waynberg from Freshly to the pod! Rachel and Ron discuss how to strike the balance between familiarity and trying something new in today's dynamic flavor landscape - especially as consumers become more aware of (and open to!) global flavors.