Maya McFadden Photo
Chris Pacheco of Seacoast Mushrooms sells a bunch of blue oyster.
The flavors of seven sweet and savory food business ventures were sampled on the edge of Wooster Square Saturday at a Food Business Accelerator Farmers’ Market Showcase.
Between the ventures and the regular vendors, the farmers market was packed with neighbors from the minute the doors opened and closed.
The Food Business Accelerator program is a partnership between the CitySeed a local food system nonprofit and the Collab, a local organization supporting entrepreneurs.
This year, nine ventures were accepted into the program. Each year the selected early-stage food entrepreneurs receive training and networking opportunities to develop their ideas into realities. Then they come together to display their products, as they did this Saturday.
The indoor winter farmers’ market was held at Metropolitan Business Academy at 115 Water St. The presenters offered visitors samples of their food and drink ideas.
“We want for something like this to help the ventures get comfortable with customers and feedback,” said CitySeed Executive Director Amelia Reese Masterson. On March 25 the ventures will make pitches for their businesses at the State House to potential investors.
Secrett Hampton and Nykia Hampton.
Secrett Hampton came up with “Secrett Sauce” formerly known as Woozy Wings. Hampton is supported by her older sister Nykia Hampton. The Hamptons served popcorn chicken with their two signature sauces, Gin No Tonic and Cognac Black. Hampton’s gin was sourced from the Litchfield distillery to meet the locally sourced products need at the farmers market.
The idea for her alcohol-based sauces came to Secrett five years ago when a college professor suggested she use it in her food sauces to make them “buzz.” Once given the idea Secrett began experimenting with different alcohols. She learned she prefers to cook with dark alcohols because of their higher sugar content.
While in school getting her masters and raising her son in 2017, Secrett said, she was unexpectedly and wrongfully terminated from her state job. While unemployed, she took the time to master her sauce recipes. “I wanted to show my son what it looks like to follow dreams through the good and bad times,” she said.
Next, Secrett is looking to pitch her liquor-based sauce line to investors to have it sold in stores.
Charlotte Reed.
Charlotte Reed, originally from New York, moved to Waterbury 12 years ago. Reed developed a soul food business called Flayvers. Reed served her signature macaroni and cheese at the market.
Reed applied to the Food Business Accelerator because she lost her job two years ago. She also realized Waterbury didn’t have many soul food spots.
“I decided to be the change that I want to see,” Reed said.
Reed’s only plan was to be accepted into the accelerator program. “I put my all into my application,” she said.
After one visitor tried her mac and cheese sample she was given the sad news that Reed’s business is only in the early stages of development. “I was ready to go to your restaurant tonight,” said the visitor.
In the future, Reed hopes to have a menu of recipes including seafood rice, wings, a variety of nontraditional dishes like a cheeseburger egg roll.
Tiffany Leong.
Tiffany Leong, a graduate student at Yale University, is developing Qi Foods LLC, an East-Asian superfood-based beverage line.
So far Leong’s line consists of three drinks, Jujube, Hawthorn Berry, and Chrysanthemum Flower.
Leong, who is Chinese-American, grew up in Texas with her mother always using foods like jujube while cooking. The idea for Qi Foods came to Leong while she was feeling homesick and missed the regular taste of herbal ingredients.
The three drinks Leong provided samples of at the market used ingredients she grew up tasting daily. The Hawthorn Berry drink was inspired from the Chinese sweet known as Haw flakes.
“It’s like nostalgia in a bottle,” Leong said.
With the goal of bringing Chinese superfoods to the mainstream Western market, Leong brainstorms ingredient ideas with her mother. “It feels good to be able to work on something that helps me feel more connected with my culture,” she said.
Tynne Love.
Herbal Deva LLC was started by Tynne Love, a second-generation herbalist.
Love used to be an actress and singer in Los Angeles until she got very sick 20 years ago. “When Western medicine couldn’t help, the plants did,” Love said.
Her signature elderberry syrup was the first product she made. Love has since expanded her menu to include teas, elixirs, and floral waters. Love sells her products on Etsy and has a commercial kitchen in Westport.
At the market, Love’s dragon fire spice sold out.
Daniel Patenaude.
Best Buddy Biscuits has been attending local farmer’s markets for eight years now. The family-owned business has been selling all-natural dog treats for 11 years.
Salesman and head baker Daniel Patenaude represented the business at the market with its vast biscuit menu consisting of biscuit flavors like chicken pot pie, beef stew, and sweet potato pie.
Patenaude bakes the K‑9 treats using human-grade ingredients. “We saw the ‘health boom’ coming before it did,” Patenaude said.
The online-business started renting out a bakery space at 63 Grove St. two years ago, where the treats are made and shipped out.
While at the market, Patenaude said the beef stew and hickory houndz with bacon treats were most popular.
“I haven’t found a flavor that my dogs don’t like,” one visitor said after making a purchase from Patenaude.
Dariush Rose is the head chef for Greenleaf Catering, a family business that specializes in Persian food.
Rose started up the business four years ago with his two sons and wife. Last year was his first time attending a farmers market for the business.
Based in Southington, Rose came as an Iranian refugee nine years ago with his family and started the business in a food trailer.
Rashaun and Sam Wilson.
Other vendors included Rainbow Suds, a soap company started by two Yale research scientists, Rashaun and Sam Wilson. This is the scientists’ third year participating at the farmers market.
Rainbow Suds was started with the goal of supporting local and national charities. 25 percent of the business’ profits go to seven charity organizations. Rashaun selected a variety of charities that can appeal to many. When customers make online purchases they have the ability to select which charity they want 25 percent of their profit to help.
The charities include the American Refugee Committee, Animal Welfare Institute, P.E.O. Sisterhood, Charity: Water, Pascale’s Pals, and Unbound.
