Foodiepreneur Event: “The Business of Food”

Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm 

NJSBDC at Brookdale Community College invites entrepreneurs to attend a no-cost, high-impact Foodiepreneur event. This free workshop will be focused on people growing or launching a food business in New Jersey, such as a restaurant, food truck, commercial food product development, and/or artisan goods. This free event will take place on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at Ocean County College and you can register here!

“Foodiepreneur: The Business of Food” will give current and potential food entrepreneurs candid insights from the experts into one of the largest industries in our area. The goal of Foodiepreneur is to facilitate a real dialog about topics that are important to entrepreneurs in the food industry.

There will be a panel discussion with Esther Luongo Psarakis (Creator, Foodpreneur®), Paul Altero (Founder & Co-Owner, Bubbakoo’s Burritos) and Vicki Weiss (Owner, Mathis House Bed & Breakfast & Victorian Tea Room). There will also be an appreance made by OCC’s very own Sean Bips (Professional Chef Instructor, Hospitality Professor, and International Event Planner) who will offer valuable information to attendees about the industry.

Esther Luongo Psarakis
Creator, Foodpreneur®

Esther Luongo Psarakis is the creator of Foodpreneur®, a strategic sales/marketing & educational consultancy, with a comprehensive curriculum for launching food, beverage, and consumer products. With international companies from across the globe, she has created effective sales and marketing strategies for USlaunch. As a consultant with USAID and various Trade Boards and as an NJSBDC advisor, Rising Tide Capital, she focuses on food and beverage-centric companies. and is a founding member of the NJ Food Policy Think Tank.

Her strong skill set on mentoring, concept development, business plans and sales strategies has been applied to a wide range of companies. She is a graduate of Douglass College/Rutgers University with a degree in Communication, has a certificate in Import/Export, as well as in Sensory Evaluation of Olive Oils from University of California-Davis. She runs a Meet-Up Group for Food Entrepreneurs and Professionals. She is a frequent presenter on various topics in the Food industry and is very passionate about guiding those she works with towards their own “recipe for success” www.foodpreneur.com

 

Paul Altero
Founder & Co-Owner, Bubbakoo’s Burritos

Paul Altero has a deep understanding and proven track record of launching a thriving restaurant business. Since the launch of Bubbakoo’s Burritos in 2008, the chain has grown into a franchise model to include more than 75 locations employing over 1,000 employees with an additional 200 stores under development across the nation. The business has been featured in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Top 100 Franchises in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

Paul graduated from the University of Delaware in 1996, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management. During his 30 year career in the hospitality industry, Paul has excelled in roles such as Regional Director of Eastern Operations and Interim Vice President of Operations during his 10 year career at Johnny Rocket’s. In those executive roles, Paul oversaw locations regionally and nationally. Paul has also held management roles for Resorts Hotel & Casino, Pizzeria Uno, Nordstrom’s restaurant division and Friendly’s restaurants. He is also frequently invited to lecture at universities across the nation to help mentor rising leaders within the industry. www.bubbakoos.com

 

Vicki Weiss
Owner, Mathis House Bed & Breakfast & Victorian Tea Room

Vicki has lived in New Jersey for the past 30 years. She has a diverse background in her career within the hospitality industry, and absolutely loves her job. She has over 10 years experience in community development, business management, government and public relations, event planning, grant writing, fundraising and donor cultivation.
Vicki has been the owner of the Mathis House Victorian Tea House and Bed & Breakfast in Toms River, New Jersey since 2019. She continues to receive outstanding reviews in hospitality at the five-star Bed and Breakfast and enjoys improving the business climate in historic areas. In 2021, despite the climate of the Covid pandemic, Vicki opened the Vermont Tea House in Chester, Vermont. She is currently working on opening a four suite Airbnb in Chester next door to the tea house. https://www.mathishouse600main.com/

Sean Bips
Professional Chef Instructor, Hospitality Professor

Sean Michael Bips is a Professional Chef Instructor, Hospitality Professor, and International Event Planner.  He has been teaching Hospitality, Culinary Arts and Tourism Management for over 12 years in both the United States and across Europe.  Sean has a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management from The Pennsylvania State University,  an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of America in NY, and an Executive MBA from Durham Business School, located in the U.K. (Europe). His areas of expertise include Culinary Instruction, Developing Successful Sales Campaigns, Marketing Strategies, and International Event Planning.

These food industry experts have successfully navigated the process of launching and growing food businesses. They will discuss their backgrounds, successes, and challenges throughout the process while offering insight to fellow business owners.

A Q&A exchange will conclude this event.

Seating is limited for this free event and spots will go fast. To register call 732-842-8685 or go to bit.ly/3Ko1zCe

For more info, click here to see our Foodiepreneur Flyer: Foodiepreneur – The Business Of Food