The boating and sailing world returned to the City by the Sea in September for the Newport International Boat Show.
Food and beverage is a key category and one of the main attractions at the boat show. Many prestige food and beverage brands make it a part of their strategy to be seen and to be part of this international gathering of owners, enthusiasts and the people who love them.
One of the leaders in food development in Rhode Island was in attendance. Lisa Raiola, executive director of the Hope & Main food incubator in Warren, has seen the nonprofit commercial kitchen facility grow, and most significantly launch hundreds of food brands into successful businesses over the past 10 years.
“It is amazing to think that [the concept of a food incubator] was a completely new idea,” Raiola said.
Hope & Main is experiencing great growth in these post-pandemic days. The so-called “great resignation” led to many people wanting to establish their own business. Food was and is a leading category. It is accessible and familiar. Hope & Main is uniquely poised to help a lot of people by making the big step possible from selling out of one’s kitchen window to becoming a grown-up business.
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WINNING COMBO: Newport Chowder Co. founder Katie Potter, standing, is pictured with her mother, Muriel Barclay de Tolly, who was the inspiration for Potter’s company.
COURTESY MEREDITH MCBRIDE MOWRY[/caption]
The organization’s list of artisans and food makers has become one of the great success stories of Rhode Island business. The number of food businesses launched since Hope & Main opened its doors on Oct. 6, 2013, totals 450. More significantly, 45% of those businesses are still in operation.
Raiola says approximately 90 businesses have “graduated,” or moved completely from the facility and infrastructure of Hope & Main. One of them was at the boat show.
Newport Chowder Co., which operates its own fleet of carts and trucks in addition to catering, is no stranger to the Newport Yachting Center. Founder Katie Potter built her company on an award-winning Newport chowder recipe perfected by her mother, Muriel Barclay de Tolly, who had a beloved restaurant in the city for many years. Her chowder was a perennial winner of the Newport Chowder Cook-off, which was held for decades on the same wharves that hosted the boat show.
Potter began her business selling a chowder seasoning mix for home cooks to make their own chowder. During the COVID-19 lockdown days, she brought her chowder outside, serving it hot from a truck. It became very successful, leading to another truck, then carts and catering.
In keeping with the family tradition, Newport Chowder was awarded the top prize in a competition among six Hope & Main “food-preneurs” who had the opportunity to make their live pitch to a panel of all-star judges for a chance to win $10,000 for their food or beverage business. The artisans presented a diverse variety of specialties, from empanadas to Ethiopian food and biscotti to hot sauce. In the end, Newport Chowder stood alone and took home the prize.
Newport Chowder is but one example of well-known Rhode Island food brands that have been kindled at the former schoolhouse at the intersection of Hope and Main streets in Warren. Sacred Cow Granola, Tito’s Brands chips and salsa, Backyard Food Co., RI Mushroom Co. and Anchor Toffee are other names that can be found on supermarket shelves throughout the state and beyond.
Food visionaries from all over the world have visited Hope & Main to see the facility and its regulation commercial kitchens and production facilities.
Raiola told of a recent delegation from Belgium, including Princess Astrid who led a group of 50 food entrepreneurs to tour Hope & Main. Most of the creators had concepts for plant-based foods. They came to get ideas and inspiration to launch U.S. operations.
“Dining Out With Bruce Newbury” is broadcast locally on WADK 101.1 FM and 1540 AM and on radio throughout New England. Contact Bruce at bruce@brucenewbury.com.
