Manitoba’s top three new food entrepreneurs were celebrated as champions at the third annual Great Manitoba Food Fight during the 2009 Capturing Opportunities business forum, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk announced.
“Each of the three winners prevailed in tough battles over competitors and worked extremely hard for a chance to win recognition for their innovative food products and support to bring them to market,” said Wowchuk. “We have seen it proven once again that Manitoba has a tremendous wealth of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, particularly when it comes to cooking up new ideas for good eating.”
The Great Manitoba Food Fight is a one-day competitive event that invites entrepreneurs from throughout Manitoba to submit their best and most creative food product ideas for judging. A $35 entry fee allows food entrepreneurs to pitch their products to a forum of spectators while providing product samples for the panel of judges.
“We are pleased to encourage and cultivate the ambitions of Manitobans to create new business ventures and build economic opportunities in their own communities,” said Wowchuk. “Business development, particularly as it relates to food products, is a key building block in our province’s economic structure. It creates additional markets for primary products, jobs and economic benefits for our urban and rural communities.”
Judges look at entries in terms of quality, originality and the entrepreneurs’ efforts to market their products. Success in the competition means winning one of three major prize packages. First-, second- and third-place finalists receive awards valued at $15,000, $10,000 and $5,000 respectively. Finalists also receive a complimentary membership to the Manitoba Food Processor’s Association.
The winners of the 2009 Great Manitoba Food Fight are:
First Place – Colleen Dyck of Niverville, for the Gorp Bar;
Second Place – Constance Menzies of Winnipeg, for the Manitobar; and
Third Place – Chef Luc Jean of Winnipeg, for gourmet Toddler-Pumpkin and Sweet Corn Risotto.
The three finalists received their awards during the Manitoba Hydro Celebration Banquet held last night in Brandon.
