Join STARTUP FIU FOOD FOR OUR SPECIAL EDITION - SPEAKER SERIES
"LAUNCHING WITHIN THE FOOD INDUSTRY".Our feature moderator Zak Stern,
Owner and Founder of Zak the Baker, will be joined by a panel with
food INDUSTRY EXPERTS TO SHARE THEIR experiences and how to launch a
successful business in MIAMI.MODERATOR
ZAK STERN - Owner & Founder of Zak the BakeR
ZAK STERN, Owner & Founder of Zak the Baker
Miamian Zak Stern wanted to work with his hands and to know things
like when tomato seasons starts in South Florida. So he withdrew from
pharmacy school at Florida State and spent six years traveling around
the United States, Europe, and Israel, apprenticing at farms and
learning the craft and artisanship behind wine, cheese, and bread. His
experience on a goat farm in Israel made an impression, instilling in
Stern a relentless work ethic and teaching him “the wisdom of the
country” versus the wisdom of the city. Baking bread also made an
impact on Stern. He loved the challenge of extracting the maximum
amount of flavor from the minimum amount of ingredients. He learned to
appreciate simplicity as a virtue.
After years on the road, Stern was ready for the comfort and
familiarity of home. With no money, but a world of hands-on
experience, he returned to Miami, got a part time job, installed a
used pizza oven in his friend’s garage, and started baking bread.
Stern was selling 50 loaves each week at a farmers market when chefs
started seeking him out and requesting his bread for their
restaurants. Suddenly, Stern had a business. He hired apprentices, who
worked for room and board, found a commercial space to bake in, and
continued to accumulate wholesale accounts. Finally, and entirely
self-funded, Zak the Baker opened in Wynwood in 2014. Two years later,
Stern has a staff of 52 and the business continues to grow, but not
just for growth’s sake. Stern is growing community, built on bread.
PANELIST
MISHA GOMEZ, Owner & Founder of Misha's Cupcakes
Misha's Cupcakes was born in 2005, shortly after the birth of Misha
Kuryla-Gomez first child, Ella. Misha was at home with Ella, listening
to NPR, when inspiration struck.In October 2005, Misha started baking
chocolate cupcakes (gradually adding other flavors) in her home while
Ella, who was five-months-old, napped. Initially, she gave them to
anyone that would take them - for free! Shortly thereafter, Misha
donated cupcakes to a charity event for Susan G. Komen, and in the
process, connected with her first wholesale client, Morning Call
Bakery. From there, Misha introduced her cupcakes to a number of cafes
and restaurants around Miami. She also started getting retail orders.
In that first year, Misha managed to sell $50,000 worth of cupcakes!
In 2006, she hired her first employee, and in 2007, she moved her
operations into a warehouse, which she turned into her first
commercial bakery. She opened a retail cart selling her cupcakes in
Dadeland Mall that same summer. In 2008, Misha opened her first
Misha's Cupcakes retail store in Coral Gables. By early 2015, there
were four other Misha's Cupcakes locations in Miami and Broward. Misha
also steadily increased the number of other retailers that carry her
cupcakes; currently, those stores stretch from the Florida Keys to
Broward County, and includes supermarkets such as Milam's and Tom
Thumb. Misha's Cupcakes now has 85 employees. In 2014, it generated
$4.3 million in revenue.
DAVID FOULQUIER, Owner of Fooq's Miami
David Foulquier is a restaurateur intent on bringing world-class
cuisine to MIAMI’s Arts & Entertainment District with his first
venture Fooq’s opened February, 2015. Foulquier has traveled the
globe and held positions in many acclaimed fine-dining restaurants
where he learned the ropes of running both the front and the back of
the house. His experience includes stints at renowned restaurants such
as Restaurante Hofmann in Barcelona, Spain; Orsay Restaurant in New
York, NY; and Gigi Restaurant in MIAMI, FL. Half French and half
Persian, Foulquier hails from Manhattan’s Upper East Side in New
York. Foulquier is a graduate of the FIU School of Hospitality, after
having attended the University Of MIAMI. After completing his studies
Foulquier went on to complete a course as a certified Sushi Chef from
the Tokyo Sushi Academy. He has Staged under Michelin-starred chefs
Daniel Boulud and Jean Georges Vongerichten in New York City. During
his time at FIU, Foulquier worked as an assistant manager at local
favorite OTC. From his countless experiences during his myriad of
travels, Foulquier’s tastes and inspirations blossomed, allowing him
to develop an eclectic palette and foster his passion for that he
hopes to share with the world.
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21/08/2018 Last update