Cullen Gilchrist, CEO & Founder of Union Kitchen, takes a deep dive behind the scenes of packaged Food and Beverage businesses made in DC. From launch to national scale, Cullen speaks with DC founders about their challenges and triumphs throughout their journey to building successful CPG food businesses. Union Kitchen is a food business Accelerator. We build successful food brands by bringing together our Accelerator with our Kitchen, Distribution, and Stores. Since 2012, we have worked with over 650 food businesses including over 100 Accelerator members.
Giant Food: The recipe for success in a conventional retailer
In this episode, we speak with Gregg Dorazio and Kate Clarke from Giant Food (https://www.linkedin.com/company/giantfood/). With a new initiative for local products, Gregg and Kate are here to discuss best practices for brands onboarding with new retailers, what makes a product stand out and shine, and why ecommerce is a great way to expand your customer base.
https://giantfood.com/ (https://giantfood.com/)
5 Jan 2022
Stone's Throw Hash Returns to Food Founders!
In this episode, we speak with Ben James, founder of Stone's Throw Hash (https://www.stonesthrowhash.com/). Growing up in rural Virginia around neighboring farms, Ben developed a love for food. After taking courses in sustainability, Ben was shocked to learn that less than 1% of food is sourced from within 400 miles of its end destination. This inspired Ben to research and develop products to change this statistic. Initially launching as a food truck, Ben has grown Stone's Throw Hash into a CPG brand, available at Giant, Whole Foods, and many other retailers throughout the region.
Read more: Stone's Throw Hash (https://www.unionkitchen.com/blog/tag/stones-throw-hash)
www.stonesthrowhash.com (https://www.stonesthrowhash.com/)
1 Nov 2021
Berg Bites: Shaking Up the World of Protein One Bite at a Time
In this episode, we speak with Dan Berg, founder of Berg Bites. Dan founded Berg Bites during his Junior year at George Washington University after eating these homemade bites growing up in New York. Dan began selling Berg Bites in 2017 in the local DC market. After iterating his product packaging and gathering valuable feedback from his customer base, Berg Bites expanded their product offerings to include bites and the Mighty Bite, containing 16 grams of protein. Berg Bites is carried in hundreds of stores throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, online, and supplies to numerous NBA and NFL teams.
To read more about Berg Bites, click here (https://www.unionkitchen.com/blog/tag/berg-bites).
https://bergbites.com/ (https://bergbites.com/)
1 Oct 2021
Compass Coffee: How Two Former Marines Teamed Up To Create Real Good Coffee
In this episode, we speak with Michael Haft, co-founder of Compass Coffee. (compasscoffee.com) Michael, along with co-founder Harrison Suarez, bonded over a shared love of coffee while deployed as marines in Afghanistan. After moving back to DC, they began experimenting roasting coffee in Michael's basement. After creating the perfect roast, Michael and Harrison launched Compass Coffee, that now boasts 12 cafes, 250 staff, and a 50,000 sq. ft. roastery.
To read more about Compass Coffee, click here. (https://www.unionkitchen.com/blog/tag/compass-coffee)
www.compasscoffee.com (https://www.compasscoffee.com/)
30 Sept 2021
Bee J's Cookies: A Cookie Worth a Second Helping
In this episode, we speak with Bryant Jones and Andrea O'Neal of Bee J's Cookies. Bryant, our baker, doesn't have a sweet tooth; he has sweet teeth! Bryant, grew up baking with his grandmother, Sweetie. Because of this, he doesn't have a sweet tooth, he has sweet teeth! Partnering with his co-founder Andrea, who is one of five kids, the duo launched Bee J's Cookies to bring a delicious assortment of cookies that are worth seconds.
Read more about Bee J's Cookies. (https://www.unionkitchen.com/blog/tag/bee-js-cookies)
www.beejscookies.com (https://www.beejscookies.com/)
1 Sept 2021
Swizzler: Real American Eats From College Dorms to the District
In this episode, we speak with Jesse Konig, Co-founder of Swizzler. (swizzlerfoods.com) Jesse and co-founder Ben Johnson, began their business partnership after selling hot dogs together in college at Wake Forest. Now, through their food trucks, restaurant, and CPG french fries, they are on a mission to change the way people eat by serving affordable and delicious all-American eats.
To read more about Swizzler, click here. (https://www.unionkitchen.com/blog/tag/swizzler)
17 Aug 2021
Keeping it Spicy with Farm + Muse
In this episode, we speak with Regina Watson, founder of Farm + Muse (https://www.farmandmuse.com/). After traveling around the world, Regina fell in love with flavor and yearned to find a way to stay connected to flavor. She developed five curated all purpose seasoning blends to help people maintain their love for cooking.
Read more about Farm + Muse here. (https://www.unionkitchen.com/blog/tag/farm-muse)
1 Aug 2021
Revol Snax: Accidental Entrepreneurs Revolutionizing the Snack Industry
In this episode, we speak with Dave Birsen and Nadine Calderon, co-founders of Revol Snax. Dave and Nadine met in 2014 and bonded over their love for food and nutrition, and the keto diet. After experimenting in their home kitchens, they launched Revol Snax in 2017 to create keto friendly snacks. Fast forward to today and Revol Snax is available nationwide.
15 Jul 2021
Stone's Throw Hash: From career marketer to CPG food founder
In this episode, we speak with Ben James, founder of Stone's Throw Hash. Ben, our local hash guy, will talk about his latest product launches, how he first got into the food industry, and his commitment to sourcing local ingredients.
1 Jul 2021
Caribe Juice: Bringing flavors of the Dominican Republic to the National Market
In this episode, we speak with Luis Solis, CEO and co-founder of Caribe Juice. Disappointed with the lack of exotic juice offerings, Luis launched Caribe in 2015 to bring flavors of the Dominican Republic to the US market. Committed to owning his own manufacturing, Luis opened his own facility in the Dominican Republic in 2017. Fast forward to 2020, Caribe acquired WTRMLN WTR, an acquisition that could only be made possible by his impressive manufacturing infrastructure. Since then, Caribe has grown throughout the country through Caribe Juice, WTRMLN WTR, and private labels.
14 Jun 2021
Alchemyze Elixirs: The brain child of a Master of Ceremonies and self-described Kitchen Witch
In this episode, we're joined by Cristian "See" Ellauri, and Erin Beata, Co-Founders of Alchemyze Elixirs. See and Erin share a deep love for botanical alchemy, a practice of using herbal remedies to transform overall wellbeing. See, a Master of Ceremonies, possesses a deep expertise in tea from identifying the origin, aroma, taste, and mouthfeel. He loves to connect with community through tea and botanicals. Erin is a self-described kitchen witch with a love of herbal mixology. The duo joined forces to launch Alchemyze Elixirs, bringing chai concentrate and ready to drink chai lattes to the DC market.
1 Jun 2021
Veggie Confetti: From at-home vegetable pickling to multi-region CPG success
In this episode of Food Founders, we speak with Veggie Confetti Founder Kelsey Tressler. Kelsey, a color connoisseur with a background in food retail, launched Veggie Confetti in 2018. What started as a hobby pickling vegetables in her home, grew to a successful brand that's now on shelves all over Mid Atlantic and North East Region. Veggie Confetti brings bold color and big flavor to make your meal look as good as it tastes.
20 May 2021
The Bite - Attain Foods Launches Keto Pizza
Welcome to the Bite! A Union Kitchen Food Founders Miniseries. In this episode, we speak with Mario Salazar, Founder of Attain Foods. Mario, inspired by his own keto journey, launched Attain Foods to bring low carb versions of high carb favorites to keto consumers and beyond.
3 May 2021
Snacklins: How a bar bet launched a national snack food craze
In this episode, we speak with Snacklins (https://snacklins.com/)founder and Chief Snack Bagger, Samy Kobrosly, and CEO Kevin Blesy. Samy, a former Radio Personality and Chef, became obsessed with the idea of a vegan pork rind. What started as a bar bet in 2016, turned into a national snack food craze. In October of 2019, Samy bolted through the doors of Shark Tank and secured a deal with Mark Cuban. Since then, Snacklins has grown all over the country but remains a focused team committed to making delicious, healthy snacks that people love.
Learn more about Snacklins here (https://www.unionkitchen.com/blog/tag/snacklins).
26 Apr 2021
Union Kitchen Food Founders Trailer
Join Cullen Gilchrist, CEO & Founder of Union Kitchen as he speaks with food entrepreneurs, sharing stories from launch to scale. Launching Spring 2021.
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