Announcing TEXSOM International Wine Awards 2021

Posted on January 16, 2021 by VSheree


Now Accepting Submissions for Wine, Mead, Sake, Cider, and Spirits

James Tidwell MS, owner and producer of TEXSOM International Wine Awards, announces entries are open for judging and awards consideration for the 2021 competition to be held April 25-27, 2021 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas. A new addition to this year’s judging is the inclusion of spirits (whiskey, gin, vodka, etc.), pre-mixed cocktails, cocktail components, and bitters. The competition has an improved, more tailored entry experience for sake, cider, and mead producers, all beverages judged in previous years, allowing for greater differentiation.

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100+ Women-Owned Restaurants Unite For 10 Day

Posted on January 15, 2021 by GFDI Team

Re:Her, A Virtual Food Festival In Los Angeles, January 21-30, From New Non-Profit Re:Her

Women restaurateurs from across Los Angeles have created a new charitable organization called RE:Her. Its debut initiative, a food festival called 10 Days RE:Her, will feature 10 days of unique collaborations, thematic menus, and one-on-one conversations between female industry leaders. 10 Days RE:Her kicks off on January 21, the anniversary of the groundbreaking Women’s March of 2017, and runs through January 30, with scheduled programming to be finalized by early January. Pending local dining restrictions, aspects of the festival will likely take place virtually and remotely.

RE:Her was conceptualized by a cohort of women restaurateurs in LA–Lien Ta (All Day Baby), Sandra Cordero (Gasolina Cafe), Sylvie Gabriele (Love & Salt), Bricia Lopez (Guelaguetza), Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill, Socalo), Kimberly Prince (Hotville Chicken), Dina Samson (Rossoblu, Superfine Pizza), Heather Sperling (Botanica), and Brittney Valles (Guerrilla Tacos)–in response to the devastating impact of COVID-19 on communities and small businesses, especially independent restaurants. RE:Her aims to eventually provide grants, mentorship, and resources to female-identifying restaurant owners throughout Los Angeles, and beyond.

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Applications Open On January 11 For The James Beard Foundation Food And Beverage Investment Fund For Black And Indigenous Americans

Posted on January 12, 2021 by VSheree

In acknowledgement of the immeasurable contribution that the Black and Indigenous communities have made to the modern American foodscape, the Foundation has launched the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans.

This investment fund will provide $15,000 grants and mentorship to diverse food and beverage businesses that are majority-owned by Black or Indigenous individuals across six regions nationally. These grants are part of our Open for Good campaign, launched in April 2020, which works to rebuild an independent restaurant industry that is stronger, more equitable, more sustainable, and more resilient.

The James Beard Foundation is honored to announce that applications for our first round of grants will open January 11 at 3:00 P.M. ET and close on January 22 at 3 P.M. ET. In total, the Foundation will offer 18 grants in the first round—one for each of three business types in all six regions. As funds become available a new application period will be announced.

These 18 grants will be given on a first-come, first-served basis, so it’s vital that we let eligible business owners know to get their application materials ready ahead of time. Black and Indigenous contributions are integral to America’s food culture and need our support now more than ever!

For criteria and to apply, click here.

Source: James Beard Foundation

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Ben’s Original™ Introduces New Scholarship To Help People From Underserved Communities Pursue Food Industry Careers

Posted on December 17, 2020 by GFDI Team

First Phase of the ‘Seat at the Table Fund’ to Launch in U.S. in Partnership with the National Urban League and UNCF to Support Black Students 

Mars Food’s Ben’s Original™ brand launched a new scholarship fund – the Seat at the Table Fund – to give people from underserved communities around the world interested in careers in the food industry the educational and mentorship opportunities they deserve so their ideas and voices can be heard and appreciated by all.

The first phase of the Ben’s Original’s Seat at the Table Fund will launch in the U.S., where the brand partnered with National Urban League to create a scholarship to support Black students interested in food industry careers. The scholarship will cover education-related expenses for students towards the completion of either a food science or culinary arts certificate, Associate or Bachelor’s degree. The National Urban League will support scholarship recipients to help them successfully complete their education and prepare for and secure a rewarding career. UNCF (United Negro College Fund) will manage and administer the fund on behalf of Ben’s Original.

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“Made For More” Small Business Fund Launched By The Makers Of Ball® Home Canning Products

Posted on December 15, 2020 by GFDI Team

Photo credit: @AlysonSimplyGrows

Milk Bar Founder Christina Tosi Partners to Award $110,000 in Small Business Grants

Newell Brands, the maker of Ball® home canning products, the iconic American brand and trusted authority in canning and fresh preserving, today announced the launch of the Made For More Small Business Fund. The brand will award $10,000 to 10 U.S.-based small businesses who have gone above and beyond to support their local communities during the pandemic.

From honey farms and hot sauce startups, to restaurants and bakeries, countless small businesses use Ball brand home canning jars and lids every day to share their products with customers. Small businesses who use Ball brand home canning products in some way are encouraged to submit to the program for a chance to win.

“Small businesses are the heart of our country and our Ball brand home canning products business. We have been moved by the support our small business customers have shown their communities this past year, and they’ve inspired us to do more as well. We have created the Made For More Small Business Fund to celebrate and honor them, offering our platform to further their businesses and provide monetary funds to help them grow,” says Kris Malkoski, CEO, Food Business Unit at Newell Brands.

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