Gourmet News

Omsom Joins DayDayCook Family of Asian Food Brands

Published June 19, 2024

DDC Enterprise, Ltd., a leading multi-brand Asian consumer food company, has acquired Omsom, the proud and loud Asian food brand that has quickly garnered a devoted following for its cooking sauces, saucy noodles, and bold cultural commentary.

The acquisition, which consists of a combination of DDC’s cash and stock paid out over four years, is expected to accelerate new product innovation for Omsom, with R&D anticipated to take half the time from idea to aisle. Operational synergies between the two companies will also streamline processes and improve financial metrics. Further, the two companies share a mission and vision, and together with DDC’s expanding portfolio, are poised to become a leading force in the Asian food industry.

“We are delighted to welcome Omsom to DayDayCook. Founders Vanessa and Kim are passionate about Asian cuisine and have created a bold brand that brings genuine flavors right into the homes of consumers. Our presence in the U.S. is rapidly growing with the addition of Omsom to our U.S. family of brands, joining Nona Lim and Yai’s Thai, which we acquired within the past year. Having three notable Asian food brands in our portfolio will create enhanced synergies and resource integration, and make our operations more efficient and profitable. We look forward to collaboration across the three brands and to ensuring even more Asian-inspired and developed products reach more U.S. kitchens in the future,” said DDC founder Norma Chu.

“Omsom has always stood for something much bigger than the two of us. When we launched the company in May 2020, it was with a mission of honoring and celebrating Asian Americana. In the last couple years, our rowdy branding, damn delicious flavors, and unapologetic perspective have illuminated the way – and now, those same values are showing us to our next chapter. They say, ‘If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go with others,’ and that’s what we’re excited to do with DayDayCook,” said Omsom co-founder Kim Pham.

“It all started with a LinkedIn message to Norma, when we first read about DayDayCook’s vision and mission, we knew we had to get in touch immediately. We are thrilled that Omsom, which has been built brick-by-brick with heart and intention, will continue to thrive in partnership with DayDayCook. Omsom has relentlessly centered the multitudes within Asian America – so it’s only fitting that we accelerate our next chapter with another Asian woman-founded and -led business,” said Omsom CEO and co-founder Vanessa Pham.

DayDayCook was founded in 2012 by Chu, who is on a mission to share the joy of Asian cooking culture with the world. Omsom was founded in 2020 by first-generation Vietnamese-American sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham with the goal of bringing restaurant-quality Asian cuisine to American home kitchens.

Originally launched as a direct-to-consumer business, Omsom expanded into retail nationally just two years later. By the end of Q1 2024, grocery channel revenue was up 324% year-over-year, solidifying the team’s focus on retail expansion. The company’s two product lines – Cooking Sauces and Saucy Noodles – have reached 100K customers and 2000+ stores nationwide including Whole Foods Market, Target, Sprouts, and The Fresh Market. Omsom expects significant innovations and continued revenue and retail growth in 2024.

On June 4, 2024, the Compensation Committee of DDC’s Board of Directors granted option awards covering a total of 160,000 shares of DDC’s Class A Ordinary Shares to five new non-executive employees who were formerly employed by Omsom as a part of their employment packages with a wholly-owned subsidiary of DDC. Each award was granted under the terms of DDC’s 2023 Employee Share Option Plan and vests over a four-year period, subject to continued service through each vesting date. Each award was granted as a material inducement to employment in accordance with the NYSE Listed Company Manual Rule 303A.08.

DayDayCook is on a mission to share the joy of Asian cooking culture with the world, offering a suite of accessible and healthy ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, and ready-to-heat products that cater to the global palate. DayDayCook has evolved from a culinary content authority to a multi-brand powerhouse, curating a broad range of products that champion authenticity, nutrition, and convenience.’ The company’s growing portfolio includes DayDayCook, Nona Lim, Yai’s Thai, MengWei, and Yujia Weng. Visit us.daydaycook.com for more information, or follow the Company on LinkedIn.

Omsom was founded in 2020 by first-generation Vietnamese-American sisters Vanessa and Kim Pham with the goal of reclaiming Asian flavors that have been diluted for far too long. Omsom partners with iconic Asian chefs to craft their cultworthy product lines— Omsom Sauces and Saucy Noodles— bringing restaurant-quality Asian flavors into any home kitchen easily. Its Saucy Noodles – premium instant noodles alongside flavorful, luscious sauces – deliver real-deal Asian flavors in just four minutes. Omsom’s products, thought leadership, and partnerships have had a significant cultural impact, including influencing Whole30’s stance on MSG. The company has also received numerous awards and recognition from CNN, Food & Wine, The Kitchn, Fast Company, NOSH, The New York Times, Vogue, and The Wall Street Journal. For more information, visit www.omsom.com.

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DDC Names Malik Sadiq as COO of DayDayCook Brands

Published June 19, 2024

DDC Enterprise, Ltd., a leading content-driven food consumer brand, has named Malik Sadiq as chief operating officer, effective immediately. Sadiq will spearhead the integration and growth of DayDayCook’s brands globally, including the recent additions of Noma Lin, Yai’s Thai and Omsom.

“Malik joins the DayDayCook leadership team at an important and exciting time as we recently completed our third Asian foods acquisition in the U.S.,” said Norma Chu, founder and CEO. “Malik brings unique experience of driving growth and operational efficiency — both organically and through M&A – and will help the Company efficiently execute on our business plan. We look forward to the impactful contributions he will undoubtedly make to our team as DayDayCook continues its journey to become an Asian food powerhouse.”

Sadiq has more than 25 years of global food and beverage experience with more than 15 years at Tyson Foods. Most recently he was the Cco-CEO and COO of LiveKindly Collective, a high-growth food company operating in 40 countries. Prior to this he was SVP of the International and Export divisions of Tyson Foods, growing revenue to $2 billion over his tenure. Sadiq received his doctorate and master’s in industrial engineering and a bachelor’s in electrical engineering from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

“I am very excited to join DDC and contribute to its strategy of acquiring authentic Asian brands and scaling for growth,” said Sadiq. “DDC is uniquely positioned to drive this strategy because of its Asian origin and heritage. I am excited to bring my years of operating and M&A experience to drive DDCs strategy.”

Founded in 2012, DayDayCook is a leading content-driven consumer brand offering easy and convenient ready-to-heat, ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat Asian food products. The company focuses on innovative and healthy meal solutions with a fast-growing omnichannel sales network in China and the United States, and through a strong online presence globally. The Company builds brand recognition through culinary and lifestyle content across major social media and e-commerce platforms.

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Blume Super Food Lattes Expand Into Whole Foods Markets

Published June 19, 2024

Blume, the leading functional beverage brand focused on creating a kinder wellness world, is expanding into Whole Foods stores across the United States. Two of Blume’s most popular flavors, Matcha Coconut and Reishi Hot Chocolate, are available in 270 stores nationwide. This expansion comes on the heels of an explosive growth year for the brand, achieving their first eight-figure revenue and 50 percent year-over-year growth. The brand is now available in more than 4,000 stores across North America including: Target, Erewhon, and Anthropologie.

“Continuing to expand Blume’s U.S. presence by launching into Whole Foods marks a significant milestone and has been a dream retail partner for the brand. Whole Foods’ ethos aligns with our vision to create kinder wellness rituals that consumers will feel good about indulging in. We believe wellness is incredibly personal and we’re trying to find a better balance and create products that are attainable for everyone,” said Karen Danudjaja, CEO and Founder of Blume. “With our growing consumer demand in the U.S., Whole Foods is the perfect partner to further maximize our reach and enhance accessibility to Blume’s superfood lattes nationwide.”

Earlier this year, Blume ventured into the water elixir category with the launch of SuperBelly, a gut-friendly hydration multiplier, which has since sold out twice—equaling more than 20,000 units since February. Blume’s decision to expand to categories beyond superfood lattes was accelerated by the rise of the gut health movement and direct consumer feedback. In addition to SuperBelly, Blume’s hero superfood latte blends are refined sugar-free, certified organic, plant-based, and packaged in plastic neutral plus pouches.

Blume is a purposeful and mission-driven wellness brand focused on helping consumers create indulgent rituals they can feel good about. Founded in 2017 by Danudjaja after she struggled to find a palatable caffeine alternative while working in commercial real estate and taking several coffee meetings a day, the superfood lattes were originally available in coffee shops in Canada before growing rapidly into retail stores and direct-to-consumer over the last six years. Blume’s continued expansion across the United States amplifies the brand’s commitment to democratizing holistic wellbeing.

To learn more about Blume, visit the website or Instagram.

Blume is the leading Vancouver-based functional beverage brand focused on creating a kinder wellness world, and what happens when you pair the benefits of the wellness aisle and the experience of a cafe. Created amidst the budding craze for functional beverages in 2017, Blume aims to offer products that taste good and provide nutritional benefits. Originally exclusively sold in coffee shops, the brand has now expanded into more than 4,000 stores across North America, and recently expanded into the water elixir category with the launch of SuperBelly – a gut health-building gentle hydration multiplier that consumers can take on the go to complement their wellness rituals.

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