Posts Tagged ‘Mark Furstenberg’
DC Foodie StartUP Competition
And the Winner is..
I attended a Startup Kitchen competition sponsored by ThinkLocalFirstDC on Monday, February 25th held at the Tabula Rasa event space at Barracks Row, a main street of Capital Hill in Washington, D.C. The competitors for this competition were Yael Krigman of Baked by Yael , Nadia Mitchem of S’Mores Amore and Meg Murray of Thunder Pig Confectionary. The Concept of this event was that 3 food producers in the DC area compete to raise funds for their culinary venture. In a nutshell, The winner was offered an 8-week incubation and mentorship program with Penny Karas of Hello Cupcake in her Barracks Row location – here’s the actual competition info:
Through a competitive process modeled on the Kauffman Foundation’s StartUp Weekend, food entrepreneurs will be given the opportunity to present their concepts before a panel of food industry veterans who will critique their business plans, offer constructive advice and review the general soundness of the concepts. The selected winner of the competition will be given access to an existing restaurant during its off hours, mentorship of the incubating business owner as well as assistance marketing and running a ticketed Pop-Up of their concept for six weeks. The restaurateur will receive 75% of ticket sales from restaurant as well as feedback from the consumers dining. The long-term goal is the growth of StartUp Kitchen incubators citywide. StartUp Kitchen is a joint partnership between Think Local First DC and NURISH: Center for Creative Culinary Economy.
The evening began with a nice reception of sparkling wine and tons of sweets – take a look..About 50 people watched the Judges and the competitors each make 10 minute presentations with 10 minutes of mostly Judge questioning. Yael started and of course we got to sample her Cakepop. Yael was very seasoned and professional, but maybe the presentation was a bit “canned” – her background was as a Corporate Lawyer, and it really showed for 2 reasons: 1)she’s a perfectionis and she had pretty much memorized her verbal presentation, 2)she was very secretive about her financial matters. Although I understand were she was coming from, she really needed to let go a bit and show the passion..maybe even show a little emotion – it’s obvious she could make WAY more money as a corporate attorney, the only reason to get into a Startup food business is an emotional release and the “possibility” of one day making it Big. I also thought her Cake Pops were too sweet and when I heard the retail price was $2.75 for essentially 2 bites of cake and icing, I didn’t get it! Having said this, I spoke with her afterwards and I actually felt her desire to succeed – I mentioned that her concept would do best as a corporate event giveaway or for weddings and personal catered events – there is no reason to open up a storefront and compete with the world!
The next competitors were the S’mores Amore ladies – they focused on their presentation on the vegetarian and potentially vegan aspect of their s’mores. To be honest, I really enjoyed their product with the crunchy cookie and chocolate, but the marshmallow..well, it wasn’t really a marshmallow – it had no fluff to it..this is because they don’t use gelatin because it’s an animal-based product. My thoughts were these were 2 passionate food producers who don’t really need a storefront – there are enough family, friends and friends of friends in their circles for them both to make a nice profit just selling there. Too many entrepreneurs want to open a storefront and expand too quickly before they’ve exhausted their existing resources – the people they already know. The other reason to focus on your existing personal networks is feedback – is there really enough demand for vegetarian desserts, should this just be an option that they offer?
And the final presentation was the winning presenter – Megan Murray of Thunder Pig Confectionary (here’s an article of her win on Eater) – This was an easy choice for a few reasons: 1)She showed the passion and even a bit of nervousness in her presenation that just made it very Real, 2)Her background and culinary training plus she works at a fine dining restaurant in the region (The Foodie Mafia!), 3)Even though she sampled 3 products, they were all very good (especially the Salted Caramel and the Marshmallows!) and 4)She knew her competitive market or at least mentioned that – it’s next to impossible to find decent caramels and handmade marshmallows in the DC market. I also found out that she was already producing her products for wholesale at Union Kitchen, a new culinary incubator which just began in the area. She won the competition and I’m sure you’ll hear about her products soon in the DC area!
Categories: Charlie Adler, culinary events, Foodie, Uncategorized
Tagged: Alison Reed- Ripple, Baked by Yael, Barracks Row, Cakepops, Capital Hill, Charlie Adler, DC culinary events, Doug Singer- Restaurant Consultant, Fahed Arekat- Eagle Bank, I Drink on the Job, idrinkonthejob, Mark Furstenberg, Mark Furstenburg- founder of Breadline/Marvelous Market and Harold Petigrew- Department of Small and Local Business Development, Raj Aggarwal- Provoc, S'mores AmoreTabla Rasa, Sandra Basanti- Dangerously Delicious Pies, Stacey Price, Startup Kitchen, tastedc, Thinklocalfirstdc, Thunder Pig Confectionery, Union Kitchen
Chefs For Equality – a Cause Worth Eating For!
I have really great news for DC Fundraisers and Foodies in our Nation’s Capital – DC has reached Foodie Destination! OK, so maybe there are still quite a few events with poor food and bad drinks, but after recently attending the Capital Food Fight, the Washingtonian Brunch & Bloody’s event and Wednesday, October 24th’s Chef’s For Equality event, I noticed many of the same restaurants and chefs showcasing different sides of their culinary ability. The bad news is I didn’t get a list of dishes from last night’s event – I was spending too much time tasting, drinking and a bit of hobnobbing – but let’s just say there wasn’t a bad dish! What made this event extra Foodie was that there was also a Cocktail focus and some of the top Mixologists in our region like Todd Thrasher and Adam Bernbach went all out to impress the crowd.
The Evening’s cause was to raise awareness and votes for Same-Sex Marriage Rights in Maryland – since I support same-sex marriage but I’m really focused on Food and Drink Events, here are the details on the politics of the event from the Human Right’s Coalition. Also, Washingtonian had a nice article with some Chef gossip and the details on the political cause. Other Articles include the Washington Blade which mentions MD Gov. O’Malley’s speech at the event, Tim Gunn from Project Runway was a speaker at the event as well, you can read more at MyFoxDC’s Coverage. I’m all for political causes and fundraisers, but I feel it’s my duty to stay focused DC’s culinary experiences.
Below is a list of participating chefs and Mixologists as well – I was able to copy the links to most of the restaurants so it’s also a nifty way to find out more about each establishment. I’ll try to update the dishes if I can get a list of them, but alas, this is mostly a Publicity post right now – I REALLY like to include more food information – Cheers!
Participating Chefs
Find out more about DC’s top culinary chefs participating in this special event.
- Victor Albisu, Taco Bamba – is currently holding Pop-ups at
- José Andrés, ThinkFoodGroup
- Sebastien Archambault and Peter Brett, Blue Duck Tavern
- Cathal Armstrong, Restaurant Eve
- Jon Arroyo, Founding Farmers
- Kyle Bailey, Birch and Barley
- Ian Bens, Juniper
- Justin Bittner, Bar Pilar
- Jeff Black, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace
- Danny Bortnick, Firefly
- Devin Bozkaya, Westend Bistro
- Amy Brandwein, Chef AmyB
- Erik Bruner-Yang, Toki Underground
- Jeff Buben, Woodward Table
- RJ Cooper, Rogue 24
- Logan Cox and Alison Reed, Ripple
- John Critchley, Urbana
- Travis Croxton, Rappahannock River Oysters
- Noah Dan, Pitango Gelato
- Scott Drewno, The Source
- Enzo Fargione, Elisir
- Teddy Folkman, Granville Moore’s
- Mark Furstenberg, Bread Furst
- Georgetown Cupcake
- Spike Gjerde, Woodberry Kitchen
- Dean Gold, Dino
- Todd and Ellen Gray, Equinox
- David Guas, Bayou Bakery
- Thomas Hall, 901 Restaurant
- Scot Harlan, Green Pig Bistro
- Michael Harr, Food, Wine & Co.
- Jerry Hollinger and Zena Polin, The Daily Dish
- Mike Isabella, Graffiato
- Jim Jeffords, Evening Star Café
- Haidar Karoum, Proof / Estadio
- Billy Klein, Café Saint-Ex
- Ris Lacoste, Ris
- Jamie Leeds, Hank’s Oyster Bar
- Andrew Little, Sheppard Mansion
- Tiffany MacIsaac, Buzz Bakery
- Jody Manor, Bittersweet
- Dennis Marron, Poste Moderne Brasserie
- Jon Mathieson, BLT Steak
- Cedric Maupillier, Mintwood Place
- Aaron McCloud, Cedar
- Harper McClure, The Federalist
- Raynold Mendizabal, Fujimar
- Clayton Miller, Wit and Wisdom
- Mary Lee Montfort, Mary Lee’s Desserts
- Wes Morton, Art and Soul
- Terry Natas, Carmine’s
- Kaz Okochi, Kaz Sushi Bistro
- Nelson Paz, The Ritz-Carlton, DC
- Padua Player, Susan Gage Caterers
- Christophe and Michelle Poteaux, Bastille
- Nora Pouillon and Todd Woods, Restaurant Nora
- Leslie Poyourow, Fancy Cakes by Leslie
- Beau Ramsburg, Rettland Farm
- Michel Richard, Central
- Kimberly Robinson, Makin’ Whoopie
- Omar Rodriguez, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana
- Craig Rogers, Border Springs Farm
- Lara Stuckey, Fluffy Thoughts Cakes
- Peter Smith, PS 7’s
- Alli Sosna, Allison Sosna Group / Microgreens
- Emily Sprissler, Mayfair and Pine
- Nicholas Stefanelli, Bibiana
- Vikram Sunderam, Rasika
- Zoe Tsoukatos, Zoe’s Chocolate Company
- Jeff Tunks, Passion Food Hospitality
- Bryan Voltaggio, Volt
- Rob Weland, Cork Wine Bar
- Robert Wiedmaier, Marcel’s
- Paul Yeck, Jaleo DC
- Steve Yoon, Sushi Rock
- Demetrio Zavala, Lincoln
Featured Mixologists
- Adam Bernbach, Proof / Estadio
- Derek Brown, Passenger / Columbia Room
- Gina Chersevani, Hank’s Oyster Bar
- Jeff Faile, Fiola
- Matt Ficke, Columbia Room
- Jon Harris, Firefly
- Corey Polyoka, Woodberry Kitchen
- Michael Searles, Virtue Feed & Grain
- Rachel Sergi, Jack Rose
- Andrew Shapiro, Green Pig Bistro
- Colin Sugalski, Toki Underground
- Bryan Tetorakis, Rogue 24
- Owen Thomson, Volt
- Todd Thrasher, TNT/PX Restaurant/The Majestic/Society Fair/Virtue Feed & Grain
- Ari Wilder, Fujimar
- Rob Yealu, The Federalist
Charlie “I Drink on the Job” Adler
Categories: Cocktail Events, culinary events, Foodie, Multi-Chef Events, Restaurant, tastedc, Uncategorized
Tagged: 901 Restaurant, Aaron McCloud, Aba Kwawu, Adam Bernbach, Alli Sosna, Allison Sosna Group, Amanda McClements, Amber Pfau, Amy Brandwein, Andrew Little, Andrew Shapiro, Andrew Stover, Annie Boutin-King, Ari Wilder, Art and Soul, Bar Pilar, Barbara Martin, Bastille Restaurant, Bayou Bakery, Beau Ramsburg, Bibiana, Billy Klein, Birch and Barley, Bittersweet, BLT Steak, Blue Duck Tavern, Bob Witeck, Border Springs Farm, Bread Furst, Bryan Tetorakis, Bryan Voltaggio, Buzz Bakery, Café Saint-Ex, Carmine's, Cathal Armstrong, Cedar Restaurant, Cedric Maupillier, Central, Chef AmyB, Chefs for Equality, Christophe and Michelle Poteaux, Clayton Miller, Colin Sugalski, Colleen Evans, Columbia Room, Corey Polyoka, Cork Wine Bar, Craig Rogers, Danny Bortnick, David Guas, David Hagedorn, DC, DC Mixologists, Dean Gold, Demetrio Zavala, Dennis Marron, Derek Brown, Devin Bozkaya, Dino, Elisir, Emily Sprissler, Enzo Fargione, Equinox, Erik Bruner-Yang, Erwin Gomez, Estadio, Evening Star Café, Fancy Cakes by Leslie, Fiola, Firefly, Fluffy Thoughts Cakes, Food, Founding Farmers, Fujimar, Georgetown Cupcake, Gina Chersevani, Governor O'Malley, Graffiato, Granville Moore’s, Green Pig Bistro, Greg Engert, Haidar Karoum, Hank's Oyster Bar, Harper McClure, Heather Freeman, Human Rights Coalition, Ian Bens, Jack Rose, Jackie Fenton Cohen, Jaleo DC, Jamie Leeds, Jayne Sandman, Jeff Black, Jeff Buben, jeff faile, Jeff Tunks, Jerry Hollinger and Zena Polin, Jill Collins, Jim Jeffords, Jody Manor, John Critchley, Jon Arroyo, Jon Harris, Jon Mathieson, Jose Andres, Juniper Restaurant, Justin Bittner, Kate Bennett, Kaz Okochi, Kaz Sushi Bistro, Kimberly Robinson, Kyle Bailey, Lara Stuckey, Leslie Poyourow, Lincoln, Logan Cox and Alison Reed, Lynda Erkiletian, Makin’ Whoopie, Marcel's, Maria Trabocchi, Mark Furstenberg, Mark Indre, Mark Kuller, Mary Lee Montfort, Mary Lee’s Desserts, Matt Ficke, Mayfair and Pine, Mel Davis, Michael Babin, Michael Harr, Michael Searles, Michel Richard, Microgreens, Mike Isabella, Mintwood Place, MyFox, Nelson Paz, Nicholas Stefanelli, Noah Dan, Nora Pouillon and Todd Woods, Nycci Nellis, Omar Rodriguez, Owen Thomson, Oyamel Cocina Mexicana, Padua Player, Passenger, Passion Food Hospitality, Paul Yeck, Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, Peter Smith, Pitango Gelato, Polly Wiedmaier, Poste Moderne Brasserie, Proof, Proof / Estadio, PS 7’s, PX Restaurant, Rachel Sergi, Rappahannock River Oysters, Rasika, Raynold Mendizabal, Restaurant Eve, Restaurant Nora, Rettland Farm, Ripple, Ris, Ris Lacoste, RJ Cooper, Rob Weland, Rob Yealu, Robert Wiedmaier, Rogue 24, Scot Harlan, Scott Drewno, Sebastien Archambault and Peter Brett, Sheldon Scott, Sheppard Mansion, Simone Rathlé, Society Fair, Spike Gjerde, Steve Yoon, Susan Gage Caterers, Sushi Rock, Taco Bamba, Teddy Folkman, Terry Natas, The Daily Dish, The Federalist, The List, The Majestic, The Ritz-Carlton, The Source, ThinkFoodGroup, Thomas Hall, Tiffany MacIsaac, TNT, Todd and Ellen Gray, Todd Thrasher, Toki Underground, Travis Croxton, Urbana, Victor Albisu, Vikram Sunderam, Virtue Feed & Grain, Volt, Washington Blade, Washingtonian, Wendy Gordon, Wes Morton, Westend Bistro, Wine & Co., Wit and Wisdom, Woodberry Kitchen, Woodward Table, Zoe Tsoukatos, Zoe’s Chocolate Company