Frederick Community College’s Hospitality, Culinary and Tourism Institute Manager Elizabeth DeRose received the 2023 Entrepreneurship Award from Kendall College National Louis University and the Center for the Advancement of Foodservice Education (CAFÉ).

The award was open to culinary instructors nationwide and recognizes ideas and initiatives that positively impact a college and community.

HCTI is the first Maryland college offering a free Food Business Entrepreneurship program, leveraging expertise and partnerships with local businesses and governmental agencies in an effort to prepare participants to plan, start and operate a food service business.

Open to graduates of HCTI, the Food Business Entrepreneurship program is a continuing education course fully funded by a joint collaboration with the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and the City of Frederick Economic Development Office. The 16-week course teaches participants how to develop a business plan including value proposition, target market, competition, SWOT analysis, sales and marketing, budgeting and sales goals as well as determining start-up funding required.

The course culminates in a “Shark Tank”-style pitch competition, where finalists present their food business plan to a panel of judges representing a cross section of community stakeholders, along with samples of their food/beverage product. Finalists receive monetary awards and/or customized mentorships.

“We are thrilled to launch this exciting new program and we thank the City of Frederick Department of Economic Development and the Frederick County Office of Economic Development for financially supporting it so that participants can get this training free of charge,” said Dr. Annesa Payne Cheek, President of Frederick Community College.

“Supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs in the food business will help the local food scene continue to flourish and grow, which benefits our entire community,” she said.

Click here to go back to the 2023 CAFÉ award recipients list.