The 2021 SIUE East St. Louis Café of Champions Challenge is an opportunity for local catering and/or restaurant entrepreneurs to showcase their talent for a chance to win $3,000 in cash prizes and a grand prize of 1- year rent and utility free commercial kitchen/cafe space on the East St. Louis Higher Education Center (ESLHEC).The ESLHEC serves as a national model for how metropolitan universities and colleges can leverage expertise in order to demonstrate impact in a high-needs community. ESLHEC is a place that inspires, prepares and connects youth and adults to opportunities to reach their full potential. The campus includes three higher education institutions, a charter high school, a full-service community library, a community care clinic, a community dental clinic, early childhood care, and is home to several state and federally funded programs and partners.The winning finalist will have the opportunity to provide high-quality dining and catering options, not only to the ESLHEC but also the surrounding community.To participate in the 2021 Café of Champions Challenge, prospective applicants must meet the following criteria:Operations must be headquartered in the nine-county Metro East region (Calhoun, Jersey, Madison, Bond, Clinton, St. Clair, Washington, Monroe and Randolph).Applicants are elligible for up to 20 additional points if they meet the following criteria+10 points for businesses or ventures that are headquartered in the following zip codes: 62201, 62202, 62203, 62204, 62205, 62206, 62207 and 62208.+10 points will be awarded to businesses or ventures that are minority-owned, woman-owned, or disabled veteran-owned.Applicant must meet industry size standards established by the U.S. Small Business Administration.Applicant must demonstrate successful experience regularly catering events with 200 or more attendees.Winning applicant MUST BE available to start café operations on July 1, 2021.STRUCTURE AND SCHEDULE:The Challenge includes three (3) rounds. The first round consists of a questionnaire and executive summary submittal for all applicants meeting the eligibility guidelines. The second round is a business plan submittal, and will be open only to first-round participants who are invited to submit. The third round is the final sample, menu-tasting competition, open only to second round finalists. February 17: First Round Application OpenApril 3: First Round Application/Executive Summary Deadline (11:59 pm)April 10: Judges Complete and Submit EvaluationsApril 12: Semi-Finalists Announced/Second Round OpensApril 25: Mentor-Semifinalist Networking Event (Virtual)May 7: Catering/Café Pitch Prep Class 1 (Virtual)May 14: Catering/Café Pitch Prep Class 2 (Virtual)May 18: Second Round Condensed Business Plan Deadline (11:59 pm)May 21: Mock Pitch (In-Person)May 28: Judges Complete and Submit EvaluationsMay 30: Announcement of FinalistsJun 5: Final Sample Menu Taste Test & Judging--Finalist #1 (ESLHEC Café)Jun 6: Final Sample Menu Taste Test & Judging--Finalist #2 (ESLHEC Café)Jun 7: Final Sample Menu Taste Test & Judging--Finalist #3 (ESLHEC Café)Jun 10: Grand Prize Winner AnnouncedJul 1: 1st Prize Winner Begins Operation in ESLHEC Cafe

Ver todos los episodios