HARTFORD, CT, June 24, 2021 –reSET, a non-profit business support organization, announces the graduation of 16 CT-based food businesses from the 2021 Food Incubator marked by June 30 virtual pitch event called Back to Business.

Since 2019, reSET has been offering a Food Incubator program in partnership with Hands On Hartford and the Hartford Culinary Collaborative. The program is designed to help early-stage food businesses get off the ground. As we emerge from a pandemic, reSET celebrates this third cohort with a pitch event open to the community. When so many small businesses have had to close, reSET is proud of these brave “foodpreneurs,” who are forging ahead to open food restaurants in or near Hartford, despite all that has transpired in the last year.

Since 2019, reSET has had 52 businesses come through the food incubator, including 16 in the current cohort. 88% of the program participants are BIPOC or women business owners. The 2021 class includes a wide variety of offerings including a number of spice and marinade producers, as well as bakers and caterers who are beginning to expand their markets.

The 2021 cohort had three intensive months to work together to incubate promising food business ideas through peer feedback, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance from reSET. The curriculum this year focused on developing a greater digital presence, so that food business owners are better prepared in a world that we have learned can be uncertain. Stefanie Robles, reSET Food Catalyst, facilitated this year’s program along with leading the Hartford Culinary Collaborative. Hands on Hartford provided the shared use kitchen and additional coaching support to Incubator participants.

“We are very proud of these fearless entrepreneurs who are ready to bring their delicious foods to the public. The past year has been tough on businesses, and these business leaders have all impressed us with their grit and ingenuity in the face of challenging times. Plus, they have created a wonderfully supportive community and are determined to help each other rise up and succeed.” - Sarah Bodley, reSET Executive Director

Graduating Food Businesses:

○     Barbara Delight’s - a boutique bakery that specializes in Italian Pastries. Their recipes, ideas and creations make them “made in Italy” in the USA.

○     A Saucey Chef - provides meal delivery for individuals that hate to cook, or to households that just don’t have time to put a home cooked meal on the table.

○     Flours BakeHouse - specializing in New York style cheesecake and baked goods using fresh ingredients. All can be preordered online.

○     Firecraker Sauce - a sauce 21 years in the making that is built for everything. Mild and sweet cayenne pepper with garlic, herbs, and more.

○     Nyam Bakery - Jamaican specialty breads and sweets enhanced by using plant based oils and milks, with fresh vegetables and naturally dried fruits.

○     Nazanin’s Diary - provides ancestral traditions and nourishing habits from trans and autistic healer chef Nazanin. Meal plans to help nourish you for the week.

○     Tom’s Frozen Treats - High quality frozen treats. Tom’s pupsicles are made with beef broth and beef jerky designed to keep your pup happy.

○     Perfect Poundcakes - a cupcake shop and bakery specializing in poundcake made from scratch, with quality ingredients and hand poured.

○     Kesha’s Event Kreations - an event planning and catering service bringing all your favorite treats to you simply homemade.

○     Art Food Live - provides catering service for private gatherings, tastings, and weddings with a mission to bring people together through food.

○     Herbal Deva - provides local, organic, and sustainable healing products, including elderberry syrup.

○     Taste of Decadence - a local home-based delivery company providing Carribean cuisine to Greater Hartford

○     Aya’s Tasty AF Hot Chili Oil - Highly Addictive! Goes with everything. Made with love. Gluten free. Dairy free. Nut free. Plant based. Grain free.

○     GRDN KTCHN - vegan plant-based soul and comfort food based in Hartford.

○     Pop’s Famous Guac - Handmade guacamole available in Hartford county.

○     Funmi’s Spice Rub - A spice to add to meat, etc. for your next barbeque!

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD: This is a free community event, but guests are encouraged to make a donation during the event since all money raised will go directly to a pitching company based on audience choice award.

About reSET

reSET is a nonprofit organization in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector. reSET specializes in social enterprise ― impact driven business with a double or triple bottom line. In addition to providing coworking space, accelerator and mentoring programs, reSET aims to inspire innovation and community collaboration, and to support entrepreneurs in creating market-based solutions to community challenges. reSET’s goal is to meet entrepreneurs wherever they are in their trajectory and to help them take their businesses to the next level. www.reSETCo.org

About the Hartford Culinary Collaborative

Hands On Hartford, Parkville Market, reSET, Swift Factory, Forge City Works, Knox Inc., and Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner have joined forces as the Culinary Collaborative based in Hartford, CT, to provide a sense of community, support, and synergy for food entrepreneurs. The purpose of the Culinary Collaborative is to establish equitable pathways for food businesses to grow and thrive in Hartford, by supporting individuals and businesses along several stages of development.

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