The Top 5 Awards

  • PROOF in the Pitch: Best in Show

    This entrepreneur’s pitch did the best job telling the story of the brand; answered questions in a prompt precise manner; demonstrated deep knowledge of the business’s financials; showed enthusiasm for the product; and received highest score from the judges.

    • $14,000 towards use of Nimbus Kitchen Rental (= Approx 640 hours)

    • Financial Advising from an Hot Bread Kitchen partners with possible access to capital (no to low interest loans)

    • Free 1 year subscription to product management software provided by Rodeo

    • A Great Jones 6.75-quart enameled cast-iron dutch oven

    • Continued mentorship opportunities

    • Become a member of Hot Bread Kitchen’s “Start” program (see below)

  • PROOF in the Process: Most Innovative

    This award will be given to the entrepreneur whose product has some or all of the following characteristics: unique ingredients incorporated into the recipe; product is new to the market or in a category with very few competitors; product has unique packaging or spin.

    • $11,000 towards use of Nimbus Kitchen Rental (= Approx 180 hours)

    • Financial Advising from an Hot Bread Kitchen partners with possible access to capital (no to low interest loans)

    • Free 1 year subscription to product management software provided by Rodeo

    • A Great Jones 6.75-quart enameled cast-iron dutch oven

    • Continued mentorship opportunities

    • Become a member of Hot Bread Kitchen’s “Start” program (see below)

  • PROOF in the Place: Best Heritage Food

    This award will be given to the entrepreneur whose product is the best representation of their family heritage. This brand should exude their culture through the taste of the product, any packaging presented, and the overall brand story.

    • $11,000 towards use of Nimbus Kitchen Rental (=Approx 180 hours)

    • Financial Advising from an Hot Bread Kitchen partners with possible access to capital (no to low interest loans)

    • Free 1 year subscription to product management software provided by Rodeo

    • Continued mentorship opportunities

    • Become a member of Hot Bread Kitchen’s “Start” program (see below)

  • PROOF in the Purpose: Most Mission Driven Product

    This brand has a community mission or cause-oriented reason for being. The mission or cause can be health-based, environmental, or community-driven.

    • $11,000 towards use of Nimbus Kitchen Rental (=Approx 180 hours)

    • Financial Advising from an Hot Bread Kitchen partners with possible access to capital (no to low interest loans)

    • Free 1 year subscription to product management software provided by Rodeo

    • A Great Jones 6.75-quart enameled cast-iron dutch oven

    • Continued mentorship opportunities

    • Become a member of Hot Bread Kitchen’s “Start” program (see below)

  • PROOF in the Product: Best “Can’t Stop!” food

    This award will be for the entrepreneur with the product our audience and judges can’t stop tasting or thinking about.

    • $11,000 towards use of Nimbus Kitchen Rental (=Approx 180 hours)

    • Financial Advising from an Hot Bread Kitchen partners with possible access to capital (no to low interest loans)

    • Free 1 year subscription to product management software provided by Rodeo

    • A Great Jones 6.75-quart enameled cast-iron dutch oven

    • Continued mentorship opportunities

    • Become a member of Hot Bread Kitchen’s “Start” program (see below)

 

Hot Bread Kitchen’s “Start” Program

For over a decade, Hot Bread Kitchen’s small business incubator has supported people who face barriers to starting or growing their food businesses due to systemic gender, racial, and socioeconomic inequities.

All 10 PROOF Pitch Prep program participants will receive a membership to Hot Bread Kitchen’s Food Entrepreneurship “Start” program. The “Start” program includes:

  • Access to Market Opportunities via Hot Bread Kitchen partners 

  • 1:1 advising with Hot Bread Kitchens “Entrepreneur in Residence,” Dianna Daoheung

  • Business support (Legal, Marketing, Financial) through our many partners

  • Possible ongoing support (dependent on meeting criteria)