Sean Zecman is the Executive Chairman of National Food Group and a second-generation leader in the institutional food distribution space. With a focus on schools and correctional facilities, Sean has helped grow the family business from a $16 million operation into a $240 million industry powerhouse by leaning into innovation, customer insight, and a culture that embraces experimentation and resilience.
In this episode of Forktales, Sean talks about fostering a “fail first” culture that encourages bold thinking, his company’s commitment to reducing food waste, adapting packaging for sustainability, and navigating evolving consumer demands around transparency and nutrition.
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Forktales is a podcast and video series that feeds the food, beverage, restaurant, and hospitality industries with insights, innovations, and incredibly entertaining stories. Each episode we interview the industry's leaders from veterans to the up and comers, to get a glimpse of trends, trials, tribulations, and more.
Sean Zecman – Food distribution leader and innovator
Sean Zecman is the Executive Chairman of National Food Group and a second-generation leader in the institutional food distribution space. With a focus on schools and correctional facilities, Sean has helped grow the family business from a $16 million operation into a $240 million industry powerhouse by leaning into innovation, customer insight, and a culture that embraces experimentation and resilience.
In this episode of Forktales, Sean talks about fostering a “fail first” culture that encourages bold thinking, his company’s commitment to reducing food waste, adapting packaging for sustainability, and navigating evolving consumer demands around transparency and nutrition.
Kenny Morrison – Founder of VCC Brands and Pioneer in Cannabis-Infused Beverages
Kenny Morrison is the founder of VCC Brands and CQ Drinks, and a pioneer in the world of cannabis-infused edibles and beverages. His expertise lies in crafting products that normalize cannabis consumption while staying ahead of shifting regulations, cultural trends, and consumer expectations.
In this episode of Forktales, Kenny talks about his journey from filming a cannabis dispensary to running one of the first in Los Angeles. He shares how CQ Drinks is challenging outdated stoner stereotypes by focusing on approachable, female-friendly branding and fast-acting THC delivery.
Laurel Orley – CEO of Daily Crunch and Innovator in Better-for-You Snacking
Laurel Orley is the founder and CEO of Daily Crunch Snacks, a women-owned, mission-driven snack brand known for its sprouted, air-dried almonds and bold flavor combinations. With a background in advertising, Laurel brings a deep understanding of branding, storytelling, and consumer insight to her entrepreneurial journey.
In this episode of Forktales, Laurel shares the family recipe that inspired her product and how she carved out a space in the crowded snack aisle. She talks about the mental health mission behind the Daily Crunch brand and the power of flavor-forward innovation.
Judy Joo – Chef, entrepreneur and leading voice in modern Korean cuisine
Judy Joo is a chef, entrepreneur, and TV personality who left Wall Street to follow her passion for food. A graduate of Columbia and the French Culinary Institute, she trained in world-renowned kitchens and went on to become an Iron Chef and the founder of Seoul Bird, a fast-casual Korean fried chicken concept.
On this episode of Forktales, Judy talks about using her engineering and finance background to run restaurants, breaking barriers in male-dominated industries, and redefining what authenticity means in Korean cuisine.
Denise Woodard – CPG entrepreneur and advocate for allergy-friendly snacking
In this very special 100th episode of Forktales, we’re joined by Denise Woodard. Denise is the trailblazing founder and CEO of Partake Foods, a line of allergy-friendly snacks inspired by her daughter’s food allergies. As the first Black woman to raise more than $1 million publicly for a CPG food startup, Denise has become a powerful advocate for inclusive entrepreneurship, food equity, and consumer wellness.
On this episode of Forktales, Denise shares how a push from her nanny and a chance zoo encounter sparked her leap from corporate life to founder. She discusses the challenges of allergy-safe food manufacturing, evolving her brand message, and why family, mission, and great-tasting cookies are at the heart of Partake’s success.
Josh Kesler – Restaurateur, community builder and champion of local food and art
Josh Kesler is a musician-turned-entrepreneur and the visionary behind some of Pennsylvania’s most community-defining projects. As the founder of The Millworks—a hybrid art collective, farm-to-table restaurant, and craft brewery—Josh has helped transform an underutilized urban neighborhood into a thriving hub for food, art and culture.
On this episode of Forktales, Josh talks about the risks and rewards of betting on a neighborhood, how amenities can drive revitalization and how ramen, beer and creativity continue to fuel his work.
