Those looking to start any kind of culinary venture in Long Beach will be able to attend a free course series with networking opportunities to help prospective entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground.
The Downtown Long Beach Alliance is hosting an orientation for its five-part course as part of a “Food Series” beginning on Jan. 24 at 6 p.m. The introductory networking session will be held at Partake Collective Food Hall in the East Village.
The first class, on Feb. 28, will focus on obtaining the necessary permits for a food business and searching for a commercial kitchen. It will be held at Studio One Eleven in Downtown at 6 p.m.
Other topics covered later on will include guidance on building a profitable menu, reviewing contracts and meeting insurance requirements, how to promote a business and how to prepare for the holiday season.
The next classes are set for April 24, June 26, Aug. 28, and Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. at Studio One Eleven. Networking sessions will be held at Partake Collective the fourth Wednesday of every other month at 6 p.m. beginning in January through November.
All classes will be hybrid (online and in-person) and will last roughly an hour and a half.
The classes and networking sessions are free, but attendees are encouraged to reserve spots. DLBA will reach out to all who reserve a spot to assess whether translation services will be needed. For those who miss a course, each session will be recorded and posted on the DLBA website for future reference.
The course comes after Mayor Rex Richardson recently admitted the city needs to do a better job of communicating the resources it offers to small business owners. In recent months many restaurant owners have been vocal about how difficult it is to get the doors to new businesses open. Some restaurants have cited issues navigating the city’s permitting process.
“As a passionate advocate for the local food industry in Long Beach, we are thrilled to introduce this series of courses aimed at nurturing and empowering new food businesses,” Economic Development & Policy Manager at DLBA Stephanie El Tawil said. “Long Beach has a rich culinary culture, and by providing aspiring entrepreneurs with the knowledge, resources, and support they need to succeed, we can both enhance the vibrant food scene and contribute to the economic growth of our community.”
More information on the courses, networking sessions dates and the RSVP link can be found here.
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to clarify that the five-course series is being offered by the Downtown Long Beach Alliance, not the city of Long Beach.