ScaleUp Kitchen Showcase
Powered by the Ford Philanthropy and hosted by Epicenter and theCO, ScaleUp Kitchen is a business development program aimed at supporting food entrepreneurs in Haywood, Madison, Shelby and Tipton counties. It’s designed for food-based businesses aiming to scale and prepare for regional procurement opportunities. The program helps entrepreneurs with branding, communications, planning, and strategy, and assists in improving kitchen and business operations, increasing profitability, and maximizing sales.
Entrepreneurs that have been selected for the ScaleUp Kitchen program participate in a 3-day accelerator, one-to-one consulting, a food showcase, and a pitch competition with prizes $5k, $10k, $15k and $20k.
The food showcase and pitch competition, taking place in the month of August and located in Memphis, Brownsville, and Jackson, Tennessee allows entrepreneurs to display their companies and product offerings in an exhibit-style event for potential corporate clients, vendors, consumers, and investors. At the event, entrepreneurs can mingle with their customer base and potential investors, provide product samples and tastings, share about their business, and learn from the audience. After the showcase, program participants will be ready to pitch potential investors for funding. Investors, composed of a panel of executives and local businesses, will choose up to four businesses to award prizes ranging from $5,000 up to $20,000.
Here, you can read more about each business and entrepreneur participating in the showcase and pitch competition.
Jackson, Tennessee
Raina Shults
Sprinkle Me Sugar is a gourmet macaron and tea shop situated in downtown Jackson, TN, renowned for its meticulously handcrafted artisanal macarons available in a delightful array of flavors.
Instagram: @sprinkle.me.sugar
Facebook: Sprinkle Me Sugar
Regina Richmond
Skillet Junction is a full service Brunch restaurant. We are family owned and operated with the help of employees that we view as family.
Instagram: @skilletjunction
Facebook: Skillet Junction
Crystal Brown
Crystal’s Zen and Juice is a vegan cafe that serves cold pressed juices smoothies and plant based food items. Creative and meditation classes are available for booking online by appointment.
Instagram: @crystal_zenandjuice
Facebook: Crystal’s Zen and Juice
Anthony Kirk
Turntable is located in the core of downtown Jackson in the heart of the arts district. The core of our menu is either made in house like our syrups and pastries or sourced regionally like our coffee and tea.
Instagram: @turntablecoffeecounter
Facebook: Turntable Coffee Counter
Carolyn Lester
Started from Carolyn’s passion and love for cooking, Mae Lou’s is a small cafe where she works hard to create the best quality food for her customers.
Facebook: Mae Lou’s Cafe
Lauren Kail
Littlebird is a local, woman owned vegan restaurant whose vision is to make plant based food approachable for all. They offer a fully vegan menu, with GF options, alongside a signature cocktail and mocktail menu for those avoiding alcohol. They strive to help everyone feel accounted for.
Instagram: @littlebird.restaurant
Facebook: Littlebird Restaurant & Bar
Arnika Carter
Loaded Juice is a cold pressed juice company that makes all natural fruit and vegetable juice. Our juices have no added sugars or preservatives in them.
Instagram: @loadedjuice_
Facebook: Loaded Juice
Memphis, Tennessee
Rachel Mullen
RM Petit Cakes is located inside Primas Bakery + Boutique. We are a custom cake and dessert shop specializing in a variety of unique, artisan sweets!
Instagram: @primasbakeryandboutique
Facebook: Primas Bakery and Boutique
Mariko Wiley
Riko’s has been open for 8 years at 1329 Madison Ave. They’re known for delicious hot wings and tacos. However, their flavor deep fried turkeys are a big hit for Thanksgiving. They provide affordable meals and catering so families can eat together more.
Instagram: @rikos_kickin_chicken
Facebook: Rikos Kicken Chicken
Carolyn Rudgley
Your Personal Chef! is all things food! It is YPC’s relentless aim and purpose to provide delicious food and exceptional service. They provide private chef services, corporate and special events catering, weekly meal prep, as well as healthy eating cooking classes. We focus on satisfying clients’ dietary requirements- everything from plant-based to paleo. YPC! also offers food truck services.
Instagram: @yourpersonalchef1
Facebook: Your Personal Chef
Cristina McCarter
Feast and Graze is a luxury charcuterie shop and cafe. They offer catering, dine in, and delivery to Shelby County, TN.
Instagram: @feastandgraze
Facebook: Feast & Graze
Shalonna Burnett-Haynes
Options Restaurant Foodtruck is captivating Memphis patrons by delivering fresh, high-quality meals on a consistent basis.
Instagram: @optionsrestaurant901
Facebook: Options Restaurant 901
Barbara Bacon-Wall
Customized items for personal and corporate needs. We have you covered for anything from laser engraving to custom signage.
Instagram: @enchantedtealounge
Facebook: Enchanted Tea Lounge
Sarah Cai
Minutes from iconic Beale Street and the Civil Rights Museum, Good Fortune Co is a scratch made noodles and dumplings restaurant with a passionate team committed to serving quality food, beverages, and vibes. Their menu offers a wide range of items for almost any dietary restriction.
Instagram: @goodfortune_co
Facebook: goodfortune_co
Brownsville, Tennessee
Lesa Tard
Suga’s Diner has been operating for 15 years now and they have learned so much about the community they serve. People love to eat and they love feeding them. Their southern soul food brings smiles to their customers faces and now that the Blue Oval City has arrived they’re busier than ever.
Vetrica Taylor
O’Taste was founded in 2019. They offer versatile meals that no other restaurant in their city offers, which sets them apart from competitors. Each and everyday they have a menu with 40 plus standard items plus a Chef special (something different, yet pleasing to the eyes and most of all tasteful).
Instagram: @chef_vetrica_taylor
Facebook: O’Taste & See
James Hardin
The Cellar is a locally owned steakhouse that sources their meat from a ranch in west Tennessee. The Cellar provides different events (trivia, live music, artist showcases, etc) most days of the week so that they can become a staple in their community.
Facebook: The Cellar
Vanessa Vandiver
El Ranchitos started in 1986 and they pride themselves on serving their community with good food and good service.
Sarah Mandl
Crafted Coffee started in 2022 offering only two different espresso drinks with four flavor options. Now, their menu boasts multiple flavors of coffee, non-coffee, and tea beverages as well as a breakfast and lunch menu. They are proud of the warm and inviting atmosphere that welcomes their customers and the excellent product and stellar customer service that keeps them coming back.
Instagram: @craftedcoffeehouse
Facebook: Crafted Coffee
Leon and Dianii Buxton
Grillin’ and Chillin’, Sumth’n Different
Grillin’ and Chillin’, Sumth’n Different is a veteran-owned and African-American family food truck providing American favorites with a little Sumth’n Different.
Instagram: @grillin_n_chillin_food_truck
Facebook: Grillin' N Chillin' Sumth'n Different