Marriott Wants to Help You Launch Your Own Bar or Restaurant
by
Jennifer Waldera on Apr 23, 2015 in
Bars & Restaurants
Earlier this year, Marriott rolled out its contest, CANVAS, aimed at supporting entrepreneurs in opening their own bar or restaurant. The premier location was Irvine, CA, and has spread across the US, with the contest now open in Baltimore offering up to $50,000 to the winner.
Building upon the entrepreneurship of founder J.W. Marriott, the competition is intended to give a leg up to those who have the creative spark, energy and ability to run a successful restaurant, but not the funds to get started.
“We believe the key ingredient of CANVAS is to marry the best ideas of local entrepreneurs with Marriott’s resources, space and capital that will transform ambition into action right inside our hotels,” said Onahlea Shimunek, general manager of Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards. “Just like travel, food and drink experiences today are about indulgence and discovery for modern travelers and local clientele alike, to savor, enjoy and share.”
In Irvine, the winners were Robert Zuetell and Gina Galvan with a concept that is a variation on their already existent food truck, Chomp Chomp Nation. The restaurant’s cuisine combines elements of Singaporean, Filipino and other Southeast Asian flavors and is intended to open in the spring or summer of 2015.
Other winners this year include Lara Mulchay and Joel LaTondress of Phoenix, Arizona whose winning restaurant concept was Craft + Culture, an artisanal cheese, microbrew and wine café also opening in spring/summer 2015. In addition to the overall concept, Mulchay got a leg up on the competition through her spirited commitment to offer cooking classes, her strong emphasis on local food and beverage and her desire to be seen as an integral part of the Renaissance brand.
Ready to open the next Charm City hotspot? By April 30, submit an online application, upload a video showcasing your restaurant or bar concept and a business plan including financial pro forma.
Selected entrants will then present to a live panelist of judges from the Marriott corporate team in a Shark Tank-like pitch on May 13. That same night, a winner will be selected and Marriott will kick-start the winning restaurant or bar concept with an investment of up to $50,000, including the resources, space and support needed to achieve success.
For more details on the submission process and criteria head over to canvas-startup.com.
Note from Marriott: “Given the recent events in Baltimore, the CANVAS campaign application deadline has been extended and will be reevaluated in the latter part of May. The CANVAS room will remain open to the public and available for potential applicants to tour. We will issue another announcement soon about a new application deadline once finalized. The community can continue to apply at canvas-startup.com. We’re truly overwhelmed by the community interest received thus far and look forward to welcoming a new restaurant to Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards.”
Photo via CANVAS
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