The Big Pitch Aims to Find the Best Food Entrepreneurs in Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio - June 4, 2014 - PRLog -- Today, FoodStart (http://www.foodstartohio.org/) announced its event called The Big Pitch, central Ohio’s most innovative culinary contest, which aims to find the best food entrepreneurs in Columbus. Sponsored by the Women’s Small Business Accelerator and Franklin University, the event will name winners in three categories: restaurants, mobile food (including trucks, carts and catering) and food products.

The Big Pitch starts on June 21 with a food tasting which is open to the public who can vote on its favorites. Then, on June 28, the finalists in each category will compete for the title, judged by a panel of local food experts. The event concludes with a Pitch Party featuring Donatos Pizza and Jeni’s Ice Cream.

“The Big Pitch is the first event of its kind in central Ohio,” said Bob Leighty, founder of FoodStart. “We’re excited to bring all these ‘foodies’ together in one place to enjoy great eats and have a voice in choosing the next local food star, who will enjoy unmatched exposure to a crowd of influencers in the food world. Our ticket sales and any other money raised go toward funding prize money and providing a year of mentoring to our winning entrepreneurs.”

Winners will be awarded cash prizes and mentoring provided by some of central Ohio’s top “foodies.” To learn more about the Big Pitch or to register as an entrepreneur or an attendee, visithttp://www.foodstartohio.org/. Partners for the Big Pitch include the following supporters of local food entrepreneurs: Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Eat Well Distribution, the North Market, Columbus Food League, Crest Gastropub, Explorers Club, Local Matters, Columbus Underground, The Metropreneur, Donatos, Randy Sokol & Associates, The Hills Markets, ECDI’s Food Fort and Small Business Beanstalk.

About FoodStart Ohio

FoodStart Ohio is a nonprofit organization that supports Ohio food entrepreneurs, using food as an economic development tool to boost the local food infrastructure and to spur improvements in neighborhood workforce development, entrepreneurism, and urban and rural renewal. We all eat -- let's use food to revitalize our communities and make our world more sustainable. Visit us at http://www.foodstartohio.org/.