Relish Works

High-Level Overview

Relish Works is an innovation hub founded in 2017 and based in Chicago, Illinois, focused on pioneering the next evolution of the foodservice industry. Operating as an independent entity but backed by the established and profitable Gordon Food Service, Relish Works develops user-centered solutions that both improve the core foodservice business and address unmet customer needs through new business ventures. Their work includes innovation projects, startup acceleration, and investments aimed at modernizing the food distribution and restaurant supply sectors[1][2][5].

Origin Story

Relish Works was launched by Gordon Food Service in 2017 as a separate innovation entity to challenge the status quo in foodservice and wholesale food distribution. The initiative was driven by Gordon Food Service’s leadership, including CEO Rich Wolowski, and led operationally by Managing Director Mandy Tahvonen, who brought experience from innovation consultancy Doblin. The idea emerged from a desire to modernize and grow the traditional foodservice business by exploring new technologies and business models. Early traction included launching The Food Foundry accelerator program in partnership with Chicago’s 1871 incubator and developing an ecommerce platform called Orderve to serve specialty food items to restaurant operators in select markets[1][5].

Core Differentiators

• Unique Investment Model: Relish Works combines innovation incubation with venture investing, including a small venture fund and an accelerator program (The Food Foundry) to nurture startups in foodservice innovation[5].
• Network Strength: Backed by Gordon Food Service, one of the largest foodservice distributors in North America, providing deep industry connections and market access.
• Operating Support: Functions as an independent innovation hub with a focus on user-centered design and interdisciplinary teams to prototype and launch new business models and technologies[3].
• Product Differentiators: Focuses on solving operational challenges for restaurant operators, including specialty product sourcing via its Orderve ecommerce platform, which addresses a niche unmet by traditional broadline distributors[5].

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Relish Works rides the trend of digital transformation and innovation within the foodservice and wholesale distribution sectors, industries traditionally slow to adopt new technologies. The timing is critical as consumer preferences shift toward specialty and diverse food products, and operators seek more efficient, tech-enabled solutions. Market forces such as increasing demand for specialty items, supply chain transparency, and operational efficiency create opportunities for Relish Works to influence the ecosystem by accelerating startup innovation and integrating new technologies into a large, established distribution network[1][5].

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Looking ahead, Relish Works is poised to expand its impact by scaling its accelerator program and venture investments, further integrating technology-driven solutions into the foodservice supply chain. Trends such as ecommerce growth in specialty foods, sustainability, and data-driven supply chain management will likely shape their journey. Their influence may evolve from an innovation hub to a key driver of digital transformation in foodservice, bridging startups and a legacy distribution giant to modernize the industry’s future[5]. This positions Relish Works as a critical player in redefining how foodservice operators source, manage, and innovate their offerings.