CHICAGO, IL--(Marketwired - Apr 29, 2015) - Michele Hoskins made her first investment as an investor panelist on The Food Network's Food Fortunes. Hoskins, CEO of Michele Foods, knew right away that Food Fortunes contestant Laurie Saidiner, creator of Kugelettes, has what it takes to make it in the food industry. Michele's keen eye for a good product and her desire to help women entrepreneurs like herself brought her to the Food Fortunes negotiation table with Saidiner.
Hoskins saw a bit of herself in Saidiner. In the early 1980's, Hoskins decided to turn her family's secret syrup recipe into a commercial product and bring it to market. She sold all her possessions, moved her daughters into her mother's attic and spent a number of lean years pursuing her dream. She made the syrups in a 55-gallon drum in her mother's basement, hand-filled the product into bottles and delivered them to local groceries in her neighborhood. By 1984, Michele's Syrups were in 400 retail chains. Today, it is available nationwide and online.
"I was newly single and wanted to set an example for my three daughters even though starting a business is not easy. Over the years, I have found that if a woman is undeterred and focused she could accomplish anything," shared Michele Hoskins. "The moment Laurie Saidiner stepped in front of the Food Fortunes investors, I saw her determination and dedication to make it in the food industry. Along with a great product, I knew I could help Laurie achieve her dream." Added Hoskins.
Hoskins' fellow Food Fortunes investors including Robert Earl, Founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood International, Scott Gerber, CEO of The Gerber Group, Dan Glickberg, Founder of Dan Glickberg Food, were equally impressed with Kuglettes and Saidiner.
"After one bite the consumer audience and the entire investor panel declared Kugelettes delicious," commented Robert Earl "I plan to stay close to Michele and Laurie's progress and do what I can to support their success."
Hoskins and Saidiner are looking to bring Kugelettes to market in the fall of 2015.
Tune in for the next episode of Food Fortunes on the Food Network on April 29, at 10 pm CT/ 11pm et.
Michele Foods (www.michelefoods.com)
CEO Michele Hoskins founded Michele Foods, a manufacturer of specialty breakfast syrups based in suburban Chicago, 30 years ago. Based on a secret family recipe developed by Michele's great-great-great grandmother, a former slave in the Old South, these syrups are a delicious topper to pancakes and waffles. Even more, since they don't crystalize when heated, they're perfect for baking, grilling and cooking. Syrups are available in three unique flavors. Michele's Butter Pecan Syrup is rich and creamy with generous helpings of pecan and butter. Michele's Honey Crème Syrup combines the sweetness of honey with just the right amount of cream. Michele's Maple Crème Syrup is a unique blend of maple, honey and cream. All three can be found in retailers across the country or at Michelefoods.com
FOOD NETWORK (www.foodnetwork.com) is a unique lifestyle network, website and magazine that connects viewers to the power and joy of food. The network strives to be viewers' best friend in food and is committed to leading by teaching, inspiring, empowering and entertaining through its talent and expertise. Food Network is distributed to more than 100 million U.S. households and up to 35 million unique web users monthly. Since launching in 2009, Food Network Magazine's rate base has grown tenfold and is now the second largest monthly magazine on the newsstand, with over 11.6 million readers. Headquartered in New York, Food Network has a growing international presence with programming in more than 150 countries, including 24-hour networks in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. Scripps Networks Interactive (
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