Hartford Food Incubator Program Graduates 16 Businesses

Sixteen Connecticut food-based businesses recently graduated from the food Incubator Program of reSET, a nonprofit business-support organization based in Hartford.

This is the third cohort of reSET’s Food Incubator, with 52 businesses navigating the program since its inception in 2019.

The program is designed to help early stage food businesses get off the ground.

For three intensive months, members of the 2021 cohort collaborated to nurture their promising food business ideas through a combination of peer feedback, mentorship, and one-on-one guidance from reSET.

This year’s curriculum focused on developing a greater digital presence so the entrepreneurs behind the new businesses are better prepared in a world filled with uncertainty, as the pandemic showed.

As a result, 15 of the 16 news businesses have a digital presence.

Partnership

reSET’s Stefanie Robles facilitated this year’s program in partnership with Hands On Hartford and the Hartford Culinary Collaborative.

Hands on Hartford provided the shared use kitchen and additional coaching support to incubator participants.

Nearly nine in 10—88%—of program graduates are minority or women business owners.

“We are very proud of these fearless entrepreneurs who are ready to bring their delicious foods to the public,” said reSET executive director Sarah Bodley.

“The past year has been tough on businesses, and these business leaders have all impressed us with their grit and ingenuity in the face of challenging times.

“Plus, they have created a wonderfully supportive community and are determined to help each other rise up and succeed.”

Graduates

The graduating businesses are:

• Barbara Delight’s, a boutique bakery that specializes in Italian pastries
• A Saucey Chef, provides meal delivery for individuals who hate to cook, or to households that don’t have time to put a home cooked meal on the table
• Flours BakeHouse, specializes in New York style cheesecake and baked goods using fresh ingredients, and all products can be ordered online
• Firecraker Sauce, a sauce 21 years in the making that comes in mild and sweet cayenne pepper with garlic, herbs, and more
• Nyam Bakery, Jamaican specialty breads and sweets enhanced by using plant based oils and milks, with fresh vegetables and naturally dried fruit
• Nazanin’s Diary, provides ancestral traditions and nourishing habits from trans and autistic healer Chef Nazanin with weekly meal plans
• Tom’s Frozen Pet Treats, high quality frozen treats made with beef broth and beef jerky
• Perfect Poundcakes, a cupcake shop and bakery specializing in pound cake made from scratch
• Kesha’s Event Kreations, an event planning and catering service
• Art Food Live, provides catering service for private gatherings, tastings, and weddings
• Herbal Deva, provides local, organic, and sustainable healing products 
• Taste of Decadence, a local home-based delivery company providing Caribbean cuisine to Greater Hartford
• Aya’s Tasty Hot Chili Oil, a highly addictive chili oil that’s gluten free, dairy free, nut free, plant based, and grain free
• GRDN KTCHN, vegan plant-based soul and comfort food based in Hartford
• Pop’s Famous Guac, handmade guacamole available in Hartford County
• Funmi’s Spice Rub,  a spice to add to meat and more