Spill & Dish: An SFA Podcast

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.
  • Episode 38
    17:52
    Jul 27, 2023

    Growing a Family Business With Patrick Ford, Bone Suckin’ Sauce

    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.
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  • Episode 36
    18:34
    Jun 29, 2023

    Better-for-You Lifestyle with Emre Imamoglu, CiboVita

    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.
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  • Episode 35
    22:44
    Jun 14, 2023

    Hard Learned Lessons With Jonathan Milo Leal, Milo’s Whole World Gourmet

    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.
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  • Episode 34
    28:37
    Jun 01, 2023

    Using Cheese as a Force for Good with David Gremmels, Rogue Creamery

    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.
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  • Episode 33
    26:01
    May 18, 2023

    The Magic Ingredient with Marisol Villalobos, AMASAR

    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.
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  • Episode 32
    27:42
    May 04, 2023

    “Send Hot Sauce” with David Schmunk, African Dream Foods

    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.
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  • Episode 31
    17:01
    Apr 06, 2023

    “Caffeinated Goodness” With Luke Schneider, Fire Department Coffee

    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.
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  • Episode 30
    28:16
    Mar 23, 2023

    Family Synergy With Jessica Amel, Angela Kmeck of Janet’s Finest

    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.
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  • Episode 29
    37:22
    Mar 09, 2023

    Helping Entrepreneurs Pursue Their Food Dreams with Dani Zuchovicki, The Hatchery

    In this episode of Spill & Dish, Julie Gallagher, content director for the Specialty Food Association, speaks with Dani Zuchovicki, member and community manager at The Hatchery and 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.
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  • Episode 28
    24:50
    Feb 23, 2023

    Expanding a Family Tea Tradition with Michele Freeman, Venice Beach Beverage

    On this episode of Spill & Dish, guest host and Cuisine Noir Magazine editor Sheree Williams speaks with Michele Freeman, CEO and co-founder of Venice Beach Beverage, 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.
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