Our Food Mentor podcast chats are usually with starts ups and SME’s but today we switch gears and talk with Max Buontempo the Founder and CEO of Roma Foods.

Max and his family bought the Roma Foods business in 1984 however the original brand was founded in 1953.

In 2026 Roma Foods has grown to become one of the largest gluten and allergen free manufacturing facilities in the Southern Hemisphere.

Based in Carrum Downs, Victoria, the Roma Foods team manufacture a diverse range of products including pasta, cereals, crackers, biscuits, pre mixes and much more.

I was lucky enough to work with Max briefly this year through a transitional period so was able to witness this fabulous business first hand.

Max not only trades with all major supermarkets here in Australia but also exports to numerous overseas markets.

This is a great Australian story of staying true to the Roma Foods allergen free brand while moving with the times.

I hope you enjoy this episode of The Food Mentor Podcast.

For all the details click the Roma Foods link here.

https://romafoods.com.au/

Meet David J Burns

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tZKvu9FOjMw

David is the founder of DJB Food Group and Creme design helping manufacturers, brands and entrepreneurs develop innovative new products and brands and then distribute into retail. In 2026 David’s clients will have achieved $200 mil in retail sales from brands and product ranges we have developed in the prior 24 months. Reach out for a chat anytime!

https://www.djbfoodgroup.com/

David also conducts strategy workshops as well as key note speaking engagements.

Would you like to be a guest on our show or sponsor an episode to reach your target audience? We have enjoyed 60,000 podcast downloads with listeners in 370 cities across 68 countries.

Connect with us anytime david@djbfoodgroup.com

+61427034412

Today we’re joined by Cass Spies, Founder and CEO of Twisted Healthy Treats.

Twisted Healthy Treats is one of Australia’s leading better-for-you frozen dessert brands, built on a simple idea – creating taste-first products that never compromise on flavour.

Cass started the business in 2010 with a single frozen yoghurt and smoothie bar, before expanding into multiple retail locations and a strong presence in school canteens across the country.

In 2015, she made the move into manufacturing, transforming Twisted into a scalable FMCG business and setting the foundation for national growth.

Today, Twisted is ranged in over 2,500 supermarkets across Australia, as well as in the majority of school canteens nationwide, and is expanding into international markets.

Most recently, the brand has launched a world-first innovation in the Protein Stick, continuing to push the boundaries of the frozen category.

This is a story of resilience, growth and category leadership.

I hope you enjoy this episode of The Food Mentor Podcast.

Meet David J Burns

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tZKvu9FOjMw

David is the founder of DJB Food Group and Creme design helping manufacturers, brands and entrepreneurs develop innovative new products and brands and then distribute into retail. In 2026 David’s clients will have achieved $200 mil in retail sales from brands and product ranges we have developed in the prior 24 months. Reach out for a chat anytime!

https://www.djbfoodgroup.com/

David also conducts strategy workshops as well as key note speaking engagements.

Would you like to be a guest on our show or sponsor an episode to reach your target audience? We have enjoyed 60,000 podcast downloads with listeners in 370 cities across 68 countries.

Connect with us anytime david@djbfoodgroup.com

+61427034412

In this episode of the food mentor podcast I chat through “The Holy grail of developing a food or beverage product”.

It’s no secret that there are thousands of new brands and products launched every year.

There are key reasons why some find success and enjoy rapid growth and many really struggle.

Having enjoyed partnerships with key high growth brands in recent years I talk through 8 key elements of reducing the risk of failure and optimising the chances of success.

If you send me your email address david@djbfoodgroup.com I’ll email you a short ebook “the holy grail of developing a new brand and product range”.

It’s high level, very simple (it may even be obvious to some) but I think it’s helpful if you are on a new product range or new brand development journey.

I hope you enjoy this episode of the food mentor podcast.

Meet David J Burns

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=tZKvu9FOjMw

David is the founder of DJB Food Group and Creme design helping manufacturers, brands and entrepreneurs develop innovative new products and brands and then distribute into retail. In 2026 David’s clients will have achieved $200 mil in retail sales from brands and product ranges we have developed in the prior 24 months. Reach out for a chat anytime!

https://www.djbfoodgroup.com/

David also conducts strategy workshops as well as key note speaking engagements.

Would you like to be a guest on our show or sponsor an episode to reach your target audience? We have enjoyed 60,000 podcast downloads with listeners in 370 cities across 68 countries.

Connect with us anytime david@djbfoodgroup.com

+61427034412