Meet the Finalists

Food Service Track

Church Bros BBQ by Raven

Battle Creek, MI

The start up of a BBQ Business based around my 3 boys. We aim to eventually get a brick and mortar that will have a sensory friendly environment for dining and employ people with disabilities.

HenriQ Competition Style BBQ

Saint Joseph, MI

Low and slow smoked bbq. We grew out of the bbq competition circuit. Our followers encouraged us to sell our product because of our outstanding flavors and textures. We continued to follow competition style BBQ as our business model. We strive for presentation, tenderness and flavor. We continue to smoke the basic competition 4: Brisket, pulled pork, ribs and chicken. As our business is expanding, we are applying the same principles to other proteins such as ham, turkey, fish and even baked goods.

Lake Michigan Beach Ice Cream & Eatery

Coloma, MI

Our restaurant provides a full lunch and dinner menu April through November, including pizza, hot and cold sandwiches, soups and salads. We also offer 22 flavors of ice cream and variety of ice cream treats, as well as an espresso bar. We focus on serving foods that have been grown or produced locally, as well as choosing organic and high quality ingredients.

Ono Kitchen

Battle Creek, MI

Ono Kitchen is a Hawaiian-inspired food venture offering island-style lunch plates and catering for festivals, community events, and private gatherings. Our signature plates feature grilled huli huli chicken, Hawaiian BBQ beef or Korean-style short ribs, steamed rice, and traditional mac salad. What makes us unique is that there is currently no Hawaiian food concept serving the Battle Creek and surrounding Southwest Michigan event market. Ono Kitchen provides an affordable, approachable option that introduces a distinct and missing flavor profile to the region. Our streamlined menu is intentionally designed for high-volume service, consistent quality, and an experience that stands out in crowded festival environments.

Sugar Shop

Battle Creek, MI

We provide Japanese street desserts, Kakigori, Crepes and Taiyaki. We are primarily operating in the Batyle Creek community but have recently expanded into other markets like Vicksburg, Kalamazoo and Jackson. In 2026 we are broadening our reach into weddings and private events. We are also working on getting connected with Anime and Comic-Con events. We provide an opportunity for people to experience foods they may not otherwise get a chance to.

Tiny Branch Sushi & Boba

Battle Creek, MI

Tiny Branch Sushi & Boba is a fast‑casual restaurant bringing fresh, affordable sushi, customizable poke bowls, and handcrafted boba drinks together under one roof.

Food Production/Manufacturing Track

5 Lakes Flavor (Ruby Crunch)

Grand Rapids, MI

Ruby Crunch is a shelf-stable, clean-label chili crisp condiment crafted to be drizzled, stirred, or dipped into everything from proteins and vegetables to pasta and rice dishes. What sets Ruby Crunch apart is its intentional formulation: unlike most chili crisps made with refined seed oils, it is made with olive oil and organic unrefined sesame oil, with no refined seed oils, preservatives, or trans fats. Handcrafted in small batches using only recognizable ingredients (fresh garlic, toasted sesame seeds, and Sichuan peppercorns) it delivers layered flavor and texture through a rich garlic-infused oil, crisped aromatics, and a subtle mala tingle. Ruby Crunch features a uniquely flavorful mild version that provides depth and complexity without excessive heat, making it suitable for both everyone around the table. Plant-based, gluten-free, nut-free, keto and paleo-friendly, Ruby Crunch combines premium culinary quality, everyday versatility, and better-for-you standards in a category traditionally dominated by highly processed alternatives.

Busy Pops

Coldwater, MI

Busy Pops is a food manufacturing business producing clean-ingredient, yogurt-based frozen popsicles designed specifically for young children, with parents in mind. Busy Pops are made with simple, recognizable ingredients, contain no added sugar, and avoid artificial dyes, gums, and fillers commonly found in traditional popsicles.

Good Innergy

West Bloomfield, MI

Good Innergy produces refrigerated snack bars with clean and simple ingredients. Our bars are free of added sugar, preservatives, or anything artificial—all gluten-free and vegan. We are mission-oriented around supporting mental health: each bar comes with a positive message to keep for oneself or share with a stranger, helping spread “good innergy” around the community.

New Eden Microgreens

Battle Creek, MI

We sell microgreen salad wholesale to grocery stores for grab and go customers and raw microgreens directly to customers to add extra nutrition, texture and flavor to their meals at home.

Papa’s Brittle 

Kalamazoo, MI

We make handcrafted peanut, cashew and pecan brittle. Thin, crunchy, nutty, unmatched flavor. 64 year old family recipe. This award winning recipe has captured the hearts of many.

West Michigan Pasta & Provisions

Mattawan, MI

West Michigan Pasta & Provisions we make pasta that truly lets you “Cook Like A Chef At Home”™—100% durum semolina, bronze‑die, slow‑dried pasta that grips sauce, has real bite, and adapts to how people actually eat today, from simple weeknight meals to special occasions. We also make restaurant quality tomato sauces from high quality ingredients.

$40,000 ways to make an impact

The pitch event is open to the public, selected participants and community are able to attend. Please contact [email protected] with any questions.

Food Prize, hosted by the Sprout BC, Battle Creek Food Reimagined, Kellogg Arena, City of Battle Creek Small Business Development Office and other regional partner groups*, are seeking food and beverage businesses looking for support to start or scale operations.

Businesses interested in participating should complete an application between January 1 – February 14, 2026. Please note that applicants will be required to submit a video as a part of the application process. Applicants are encouraged to use the Vimeo platform (or another similar platform) to record videos, and then provide the video link in the application.

Selected finalists will be invited to a pitch competition in Battle Creek on Saturday, March 21st, with awardees receiving 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place awards worth $10,000, $7,000 and $3,000, respectively. Prizes will be cash and may also include technical services. These services may include but are not limited to:

• Consulting Services and Strategic Planning
• Marketing & Branding
• Production/Processing Space
• Technical Assistance
• Buyer Connections

Selected participants will not receive all support services listed above; finalized packages will be customized to meet awardees’ unique needs. Support Service Package costs will be covered up front by hosting partners; awardees will not be provided cash to use for those services.