Wisconsin Challenge Searches for Best Food/Beverage Biz Concepts

MILWAUKEE, WI--(Marketwired - Apr 1, 2015) - Talented cooks with an inspired food or beverage business concept or early stage business are invited to enter this year's Hottest Kitchen Entrepreneur Challenge, a regional contest to find Wisconsin's next great food entrepreneur. The Challenge is sponsored by Milwaukee Area Technical College, Reliable Water Services, a statewide provider of commercial water heaters, boilers and water softeners and FaB Wisconsin, the state's food and beverage industry cluster network.

This year's contest features a start-up category for those with a brand new food business idea and an early stage category for food entrepreneurs who have already launched but are looking for help to get to the next level.

Beginning April 1, aspiring chefs, home cooks and early stage food entrepreneurs throughout Wisconsin can enter online at www.hotwater247.com by submitting a short application and uploading a photo of their recipe or product concept. The site has contest rules and details.

The grand prize winner in each category will receive:

• $2,000 in seed money from Reliable Water Services
• Tuition for a 3-credit course at MATC during the 2015-16 academic year
• Priceless private meeting with food industry executives serving on FaB Wisconsin's advisory council and a one year membership in FaB Wisconsin
• Commercial kitchen and consultation services from MKE Kitchen plus registration fee for Riverwest Farmer's Market, if appropriate; total value: $1,000
• Prize package worth $350 from Fein Brothers Restaurant Equipment & Supplies
  
  

Finalists will be selected in late May to participate in a final judging event in July at Milwaukee Area Technical College's future Food Maker School at the MATC Education Center at Walker's Square. 

Judges for the contest include:

• Kurt Fogle, executive pastry chef for SURG Restaurant Group
• Jan Kelly, owner and chef, Meritage restaurant, Milwaukee
• Peter Gottsacker, President, Wixon Seasonings & Flavor Systems
• Lynn Sbonik, co-owner of Beans & Barley Deli, Market & Full Service Café
• Nick Maas, premise specialist for Agave Loco LLC (RumChata, Tippy Cow brands)
• Jennifer Marino, owner, Angelic Bakehouse
• Rakesh (Ryan) Rehan, owner, Café India
  
  

For more information and to enter, visit Reliable Water Services at www.hotwater247.com.