What started as a side project next to a corporate job in Argentina has now grown into a mission-driven granola brand that found its place on Dutch shelves. Founder Eugenia Tessadro shares how Meet the Buyer sessions at Kitchen Republic helped Pal & Leo take an important leap forward.
Her granola is pure, nutritious, and most importantly: seriously delicious. This also caught the attention of STACH’s buyers. During a Meet the Buyer session at Kitchen Republic, Eugenia presented her product with clarity and positive results. In this interview, Eugenia shares how she went from idea to deal, which steps were decisive, and which insights other food entrepreneurs can put into practice right away.
Q: Take us back to the beginning: how did Pal & Leo start, and why did you decide to launch the business?
Pal & Leo started as a project of pure fun alongside my marketing job in Argentina. I’ve always loved real food, conscious living, and those simple pleasures that make life richer. Out of my personal search for something nourishing and delicious, I created Pal & leo. What began as a personal commitment turned into a mission: to create products that bring both well-being and indulgence together. Food is more than nutrition; it’s joy, rituals, and connection, and that’s what I want Pal & Leo to celebrate.
Q: You took part in a Meet the Buyer session with STACH at Kitchen Republic. How did you prepare for it?
The Kitchen Republic community was a big part of my preparation. I learned so much from other food founders about packaging, branding, and building connections. I always study the client, learn from other suppliers, and prepare different ways of tasting. I like to break the ice by doing something unexpected, like serving my granola with a burrata salad. And before pitching, I always work out, it gives me the right energy.
Q: In your opinion, what made your pitch so convincing?
STACH is a company that truly values taste, and they loved the flavor and quality of my granola. The branding resonated with them too. But I think what really convinced them was the uniqueness of the product, nobody else was offering it, so it stood out immediately.
Q: Can you describe the moment you realized the buyer was truly interested?
That moment came when I presented a promotion idea together with Oatly, who already had soft serve machines in most of the STACH stores. I suggested a joint campaign, and their reaction was immediate. They asked if I already had a launching partner. At that moment, I didn’t, and they loved the idea of becoming my launching partner in the Netherlands.
Q: What happened after the pitch? Did things move quickly, or were there still hurdles before making it to the shelf?
It took about three to four months, which was a steep but essential learning curve for me. I had to figure out everything about product listing: GS1 barcodes, pallet quantities, organic certification, nutritional values, and hygiene checks. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught me how the Dutch food industry works.
Q: What tips would you give other food entrepreneurs for delivering a winning product pitch?
- Know your product inside out. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself and defend your proposition.
- You’ll hear a lot of no’s, don’t take it personally.
- Keep your energy up, because it is possible.
- And most importantly, share your journey with fellow entrepreneurs, you’ll learn and grow together.
Do you want to pitch your product to the right buyers just like Pal & Leo did? A Meet the Buyer session gives you the chance to connect directly, get valuable feedback, and maybe even land your first big launch. Join us and discover which doors will open for your brand.