Table Talk

With the active lifestyle and sports nutrition markets growing exponentially, how will this group of consumers meet their dietary needs sustainably in the future? Insect cultivation uses a fraction of the land, energy and water required for traditional farming, and has a significantly lower carbon footprint. Crickets produce up to 80% less methane than cows and 8-12 times less ammonia than pigs, for example. Could insect protein be the sustainable solution for the climate-conscious active lifestyle consumer? Our guests on this episode of the Table Talk Podcast both think so. We're joined by Tim Boote, Founder, Protein Rebel and Antoine Hubert, Chairman & CEO, Ÿnsect, to hear how insects offer an alternative, sustainable source that is less impactful when compared to meat and dairy and offers a protein and vitamin-rich punch. Join the conversation on Table Talk. About our panel Tim Boote, Founder, Protein Rebel Tim is the founder of clean and sustainable sports nutrition brand, Protein Rebel. Launched

In the next 5 years, the top 20 global consumer packaged goods companies are expected to experience slower growth than their smaller category competitors. As consumer expectations and behaviours have shifted in recent years, exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic, food and beverage brands need to search for growth in new ways and different places. Will innovating and disrupting the establishment be the secret to growth for food brands, or will new partnerships and category convergence create the biggest opportunities?   To help us answer these questions and more, we speak to global professional services company and technology leader Accenture to gain their perspective on the future landscape for food and beverage brands. Joining host Stefan Gates are Oliver Grange, Managing Director for Consumer Goods Strategy at Accenture and Giles Hanson, Director for ?WhatIf! Innovation, part of Accenture, to share their insight and predictions on how food brands will achieve growth in a new consumer landscape.   About our p

It sounds cliche, but COVID-19 has completely changed the way many of us think about nutrition, what we need to support our immune health, and the relationship we have with food. Combined with the one in 20 who've had COVID experiencing a prolonged loss of taste and smell due to the virus, it's clear that the impact of COVID on nutrition and our enjoyment of food has been pronounced. In this episode of the podcast we look back at two key discussions we've had in a series of podcasts focused on how nutrition and our enjoyment of food has been impacted by COVID. In a fascinating look at COVID-related loss of taste and smell we join Barry Smith, Professor, Institute of Advanced Studies, University of London to hear about the latest research on the phenomena, and what can be done to help those who are suffering because of it. Then we join Philip Calder, Professor of Nutritional Immunology and Head of School of Human Development and Health at the University of Southampton to discover what we now know about how nu

Global soils are the source of all life on land but their future looks bleak. Our soils are in crisis. Their health is declining to the extent that we are just one generation away from a soil system that is unable to meet the needs of the people that depend on it. We urgently need to find solutions to reverse the damage we've done to our soil in order to protect humanity in the future. In this episode we're joined by three experts in the field to find out the scale of the problem we face and what we need to do to save our soil. Joining host Stefan Gates are Professor Chris Collins, Programme Coordinator, Soil Security Programme, Dr Felicity Crotty, Lecturer in Soil Science, Royal Agricultural University and Richard Bardgett, Professor of Ecology, The University of Manchester. Join the conversation on Table Talk. About our panel Richard Bardgett, Professor of Ecology, The University of Manchester Richard Bardgett is British ecologist and Professor of Ecology at The University of Manchester. He graduated fr

The Table Talk Podcast has had the pleasure of talking to passionate innovators from across the world of food, drink and nutrition. With plant-based food achieving significant growth in the past few years, the producers, platforms and personalities in the plant-based sector are among the biggest drivers of innovation and NPD in food. In this collection, we look back at three guests who've been doing their part to impact the way we view compassionate eating, and to offer tasty, healthy alternatives to traditional animal proteins. Meet Derek Sarno, co-founder of Wicked Healthy, LLC, and Executive Chef & Director of Plant-Based Innovation for Tesco PLC, to hear about his journey supporting plant-based innovation at Tesco, Chris Kerr, Founding Partner, CIO, Unovis Partners; CIO New Crop Capital; Co-Founder, Gathered Foods (US), to find out how he's helping to promote seafood alternatives to reduce the impact on our oceans, and Ria Rehberg, CEO of Veganuary to hear how the annual vegan pledge has managed to h

The pandemic has changed our day-to-day behaviours and following a year of lockdowns and restrictions consumers have adapted to new routines that have seen them spend more days and nights at home. With food at the heart of these new rituals, brands and manufacturers have tapped into the need for their customers to have indulgent experiences to break the monotony, with meal kits, subscription services, and delivery on demand taking the place of restaurants as consumers seek out indulgence and new experiences. With lockdown easing, what's next for brands and retailers who are providing these at-home indulgent experiences? Will people rush back to their previous habits of eating out, or will a new hybrid model take over? Joining Table Talk to discuss this fascinating subject is Suzanne Robinson, Director for Innovation in Consumer Goods and Retail at ?WhatIf!, an innovation agency that’s part of Accenture. She'll explain how consumer rituals have changed, what trends are developing and will continue to grow ove

Oliver Bennett is a 28-year-old British driver who made his debut in the British Rallycross Championship in 2016 and fought for the title in the following season. Oliver is also the co-founder of Xite Energy, a brand bringing nootropic energy drinks to the mass market. Popular among Gen Z and E-sports athletes, nootropics support healthy brain function and mental ability. This podcast looks at the growing world of nootropics, as we chat to Oliver about why Xite entered the market and how the sector has developed, and will continue to grow. Why are so many E-sports athletes and Gen Z consumers embracing nootropics for cognitive health, and what can we expect from brands like Xite in the future? Join the conversation on Table Talk. About Oliver Bennett Oliver Bennett is a 28-year-old British driver with experience in rallycross competitions. In 2016 he made his debut in the British Rallycross Championship and the following season he fought for the title. He also made his debut in the FIA World Rallycross Cha

The UK government is looking to ban all TV and online advertising for food and drink that are categorised as high in fat, sugar, or salt in an attempt to reduce obesity. What will this ban mean for the food industry, and will it have the impact that the government hopes it will? To explore this question we bring together two experts in the field, Stephen Woodford, Chief Executive, Advertising Association and Phil Smith, Director General, ISBA. We discuss what the implications of the band are for manufacturers and brands, and we investigate the facts around advertising and obesity in order to determine how effective the ban might be. Join the conversation on Table Talk. About our panel Stephen Woodford, Chief Executive, Advertising Association Stephen was appointed CEO of the Advertising Association in 2016. The AA promotes the role and rights of responsible advertising and its value to people, society, businesses and the economy, and all the key trade bodies, commercial media owners and tech platforms ar

What are the key ingredients that the best future  brands share as they carve their path to success? Are there ways aspiring young brands can tap into their success as they are starting out? This episode of the Table Talk Podcast will ask the industry experts who judged the Future Brands competition at Food Matters Live to get their perspective on the recipe that helps fuel success. Joining our panel are  Emma Williams, head of Future Brands Origination and investing at Sainsbury's, and returning for the third time on the podcast is Andy Wardlaw Chief Ideas Officer at MMR Research. We'll also be hearing from some of the winners of the Future Brands competition to see what advice they have for aspiring young brands. Join us! Be recognised as a brand of the future, enter the Food Matters Live Awards The prestigious Food Matters Live Awards is back, celebrating outstanding innovations from across the food, drink and nutrition sectors. Spanning across 12 exciting categories, the shortlisted Food Matters Live

By and large, consumers perceive that supermarkets have come out of the pandemic relatively well. After initial problems, they’ve been expanding delivery services, working to ensure the elderly and vulnerable receive provisions and sourced enough produce to ensure the nation is fed. Indeed, as one of the few permissible reasons to leave the home under lockdown, the weekly grocery shop became a source of relative normality. As we ease out of lockdown, what comes next for grocery retailers? To find out we speak to global professional services company and technology leader Accenture. How can grocers hold onto and build on the sense of mission developed over the last 12 months? Will shopping continue to be an experience that people look forward to, as we move to a more normal way of living? And how do they capture the attention of those consumers who wish to stay and shop local? All this and more is in focus in this fascinating chat with Suzanne Robinson, Director for Innovation in Consumer Goods and Retail

The UK Government has committed to reduce carbon emissions by 78% by 2035, and it has been specifically recommended by the Committee on Climate Change that meat and dairy consumption are reduced by 20% by 2030, rising to 35% by 2050 for meat only. What role do our eating habits have on the environment, and will cutting meat and dairy consumption help the environment? Joining us to discuss these targets, and what change needs to happen for us to achieve them are Chris Venables, Head of Politics, Green Alliance and Dr Michael Clark, Researcher, Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford. We find out the state of the challenge the government has to meet climate change goals, and what behaviour change needs to be encouraged in order for it to happen. About our guests Chris Venables, Head of Politics, Green Alliance Chris runs Green Alliance’s Political Leadership theme. He works to build the political momentum for bold and ambitious political action on the climate and nature crises. He man

We all feel better when we've had a good nights sleep, right? However, many people are finding it harder than ever to sleep, especially due to stress and anxiety which has been heightened due to the pandemic. The number of people suffering from sleep loss due to stress has risen from one in six to one in four, how is this sleep loss impacting physical and mental health? Joining us today to delve into the subject are Alanna Hare, Consultant in Sleep and Ventilation, Royal Brompton Hospitals Trust and Dr Neil Stanley, Director of Sleep Science at Sleepstation.org.uk. They'll explain the role sleep plays in our overall health, the impact of the pandemic and the latest developments in our understanding of how to improve sleep. About our panel Alanna Hare, Consultant in Sleep and Ventilation, Royal Brompton Hospitals Trust Dr Alanna Hare is a consultant in sleep and ventilation at Royal Brompton Hospital with responsibility for specialist clinics in sleep disorders and domiciliary ventilation Dr Neil Stanley,

Researchers in the US have discovered a way of turning food waste into a type of paraffin that can be used in jet engines. Now, the concept of bio fuels is not new, but normally biofuels have to come from ‘virgin’ vegetables that are grown especially for fuel. This alternative method is able to turn food waste, animal manure and waste water into a competitive, cleaner jet fuel. Could this solve two issues at once? Simultaneously reducing food waste and creating a cleaner jet fuel? Joining the Table Talk Podcast this week is Derek Vardon, Research Scientist and Project Team Leader, NREL to explain their research, how it will help, and how the first flights will be taking the air with Southwest Airlines in the US in 2023. About our panel Derek Vardon, Research Scientist and Project Team Leader, NREL Derek Vardon is a Research Scientist and Project Team Leader working at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL, USA) to decarbonize aviation and heavy-duty ground transportation with low-cost, low-net c

ZOE has been the source of some of the most groundbreaking research around nutrition and how the food we eat affects us individually. Formed three years ago when Tim Spector joined forces with Jonathan Wolf and George Hadjigeorgiou, ZOE was founded on the belief that new technologies could enable scientific research at an unprecedented scale, allowing us to understand individual responses in the real world. ZOE has given us a greater understanding of our highly individual responses to nutrients and stimulus, thanks to their pioneering studies. In this Table Talk we look back to the discussions we've had with Tim Spector, Jonathan Wolf and PREDICT 2 research lead Dr. Sarah Berry, and highlight the insight they've uncovered through their research. About our guests Jonathan Wolf, Co-Founder & CEO, ZOE Jonathan is a cofounder and CEO of ZOE, a nutritional science company on a mission to help people eat with confidence. Previously he was Chief Product Officer for machine learning company Criteo, helping t

Covid-19 patients suffer a deterioration of overall health and weight loss,  and while nutrition can be integrated into their treatment to aid recovery it is often overlooked. In this week’s podcast we talk to Dr Riccardo Caccialanza and Shane McAuliffe to explore the role nutrition can play in aiding COVID-19 recovery. Is there any practical, clinical guidance that can be shared to help those who have been affected? What specific nutritional needs do those who are impacted by COVID have? We find out. About our panel Dr Riccardo Caccialanza, Head of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit at Policlinico San Matteo Medical Doctor specialized in Clinical Nutrition. Director of the Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit of the Research Hospital Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia (Italy). Author of more than 100 scientific papers in the field of Clinical Nutrition. Contract Professor at the University of Pavia (Degree Course in Dietetics; Specialization Schools of Gastroenterology and Oncology). Sec

UK households still waste 4.5m tonnes of food a year that could be eaten, in fact the majority (71%) of edible food waste in the UK happens in the home. To succeed in reducing food waste, the public need to be engaged and motivated to reduce their own waste. Could encouraging behavioural change and providing access to pioneering apps like Olio be essential tools to create this social movement? Joining host Stefan Gates are David Hall, Founder & Executive Director, Behaviour Change, and Tessa Clarke, Co-founder & CEO, Olio to share their viewpoints on what needs to happen for consumers to reduce the amount of food they waste. About our panel David Hall, Founder & Executive Director, Behaviour Change During a thirteen-year career in advertising, David created a series of step-changing campaigns; his multi award-winning strategy for Skoda helped transform perceptions of a car that had long been the butt of jokes. In 2006, David became International Campaign Director at The Climate Group, working

“Innovation is often the result of partnerships.” A unique standing relationship with partner brands and the newest cutting-edge technology with Cambridge Commodities and Gencor. This podcast will have you wanting more. Cambridge Commodities (CC) have joined their very first table talk podcast with Food Matters Live to bring you a deeper insight into the latest trends and innovation in the food & beverage, health & wellbeing, and sports nutrition sectors. Mariko Hill, Product Development Executive from CC’s partner brand Gencor, and CC Innovation Specialist Zeke Stevens, join host Stefan Gates to delve further into this partnership. In the podcast we explore how manufacturers can benefit with their new AquaCelle® delivery system from Gencor combined with CCs’ sustainably sourced fish oil while expanding product applications to help meet consumer demand, amongst an array of insights. What partnership means to CC With 22 years of experience, it is this knowledge that has allowed CC to join man

In this episode of Table Talk we explore the development of bio based plastics, the latest innovations in the space and their true potential as viable alternatives to plastic. Are they the sustainable plastic solution we need to save the planet? Joining us to explain what bioplastics are, and to shed light on the impact they could have are two experts in the field, David Newman, Executive Director, BBIA and Constance Isbrucker, Head of Environmental Affairs, European Bioplastics. Join us in a fascinating look into the world of bioplastics. About our panel David Newman, Executive Director, BBIA David Newman lived in Europe and the Middle East until 2014 when he returned to the UK. He was the Executive Director of Greenpeace Italy 1994-1997; from 1999 until 2014 he led the Italian composting and biogas association CIC and he led the Italian Bioplastics Association from 2011 to 2015. From 2012 to 2016 he was President of the International Solid Waste Association in Vienna and initiated the 2015 Global Waste

FareShare is the UK’s largest food redistribution charity, with more than 30 Regional Centres across the country. It takes food from the food industry that can’t be sold in shops, either because of packaging errors or a short shelf life. FareShare has worked with Tesco since 2012 to help alleviate poverty in the UK by ensuring surplus food within its supply chain is used to feed people and doesn’t end up as waste. Joining host Stefan Gates for a fascinating look into how charities, brands and retailers are working together to alleviate food waste by distributing surplus food to those who need it are Helen Davies, Retail Partners Senior Manager, FareShare, Claire de Silva, Head of Community and Local Media, Tesco, Nicola Mackay, Community Food Programme Manager, Tesco and Dr Mansukh Morjoria, Trustee, Shree Jalaram Mandi. About our panel   Helen Davies, Retail Partners Senior Manager, FareShare Helen Davies is a Senior Commercial Manager at FareShare. She manages relationships with some our key retail part

Anthony Warner is known as the Angry Chef who looks to ‘expose lies, pretensions and stupidity in the world of food.’ He has a new book out ‘Ending Hunger: The Quest to Feed the World without destroying it’. In the book he argues that we need significant fundamental change if we have any hope of being able to feed the world in 2050. ‘Without substantial reduction in the number of animal products that we consume, within the next few decades, agriculture will raise global temperatures by two degrees, destroy all of the world’s forests and drive a million species to extinction… we desperately need to change consumption, shrinking down the powerful meat and cattle industries, something that they will fight every step of the way… this is probably the most difficult battle we face.’ Stefan Gates joins Anthony for a fascinating, and often frightening, look at the challenges the food industry faces, and what changes in public policy and approaches could make a huge impact on our future on the planet. About Antho