TV network seeks novice ‘food entrepreneurs’

As it casts for a new TV series, the Food Network is looking to hear from “food entrepreneurs” who are planning to open their first food business. Sorry, no food trucks will be featured. The network is interested solely in brick-and-mortar retail businesses such as restaurants, shops, bakeries, pubs, ice cream shops and so on. Anyone who serves walk-in customers and has some cooking on-site will be considered. The series will document new businesses as they work toward an opening, and through their opening weeks. Bobby Flay, a Food Network host and restaurateur, will be spending time with the businesses’ owners to advise them. To qualify for consideration from the show’s creators, a business must be due to open between now and summer 2012, and its owner must have little-to-no prior food experience. Those who’d like to be considered can send an email to [email protected] with a description of their story and business plan (including food type, location, employees, budget info, work experience and opening date). Submissions will be accepted until the end of the month.—Steve Sanoski