Two Rhode Island small food business owners have been selected as finalists for a $10,000 prize following a spirited contest at Hope & Main this past Wednesday, during the third annual Munch Madness Pitch Competition, held in conjunction with the Sam Adams “Brewing the American Dream” entrepreneurship program.

“Six small business owners each gave a two-minute pitch about why their business should win the grand prize,” said Alison Mountford, Director of Marketing and Communications for Hope & Main. “Despite the rain and thunderstorms, the room was packed, with over 100 spectators throughout the night piling in to hear the compelling startup and business growth stories.”

The six finalists included: Guetty Antiste, Empanada Assassin; Savannah Campbell, Caribe & Co.; Ramon Hinds, Orisirisi Spice of Life; Amber Jackson, Black Leaf Tea Co.; Pin Minyvong, Pin’s Kytchen; and Mariana Silva-Buck, Little Maven Lemonade.

After the pitches concluded, the judges (consisting of Jamie Coelho, editor in chief of “Rhode Island Monthly”, Chef Sanjiv Dhar, owner of Spice Kraft Inc. and the RI Hospitality Association’s Restaurateur of the Year for 2023, and Jennifer Glanville, Master Brewer for Sam Adams Boston Brewery) chose Ramon Hinds of Orisirisi Spice of Life and Amber Jackson of Black Leaf Tea Co. as the two finalists.

Ramon and Amber will each have a booth the the upcoming Schoolyard Twilight Party at Hope & Main, occurring on Saturday, Sept. 23 from 5-9 p.m. All guests will receive a ballot, and are encouraged to meet and greet and sample products from each of these businesses, before casting their vote.

The entrepreneur with the most votes will take home $10,000, furnished by Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream, to go towards growing their business efforts.

Hope & Main's Munch Madness events and the Twilight Party are presented in 2023 by Bank Newport.

To purchase tickets for the Twilight Party, click here.