BLOOMINGTON—Two Ivy Tech Community College Bloomington schools joined forces this week during Global Entrepreneurship Week to host a mini-conference, Entrepreneur This: Culinary Arts. The event was a collaboration between the Garatoni School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and the School of Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management, held at Ivy Tech’s Yellowwood restaurant.
More than 50 students and community members attended the event, featuring expert speakers, panel discussions, and locally-prepared cuisine.
“Ivy Tech is proud to be a partner and supporter of the local entrepreneurial ecosystem and we are grateful to everyone who participated and shared expertise for the benefit of our students and community,” Sueann Graham, entrepreneurship program chair said.
Ivy Tech culinary arts student volunteers prepared and served food for attendees, highlighting their skills and passion for the industry. The event began with a welcome from Ivy Tech Chancellor Erik Coyne, followed by Chef Stacy Strand, who shared insights about program offerings in culinary arts and hospitality management.
The mini-conference featured a lineup of local experts, including:
- Alex Rubin, owner, Stir Coffee and director of business and personnel development at One World Enterprises, who shared his entrepreneurial journey and the resources available at One World Kitchen Share
- Andrea “De” De la Rosa, City of Bloomington, who discussed the state of entrepreneurship and food service within the community
- Jordan Davis, director of operations, Chocolate Moose and host of the No Dishes podcast, who spoke about the challenges and opportunities in Bloomington’s food industry
- Michael Kuzemka, Monroe County Health Department, who provided valuable insights into health and safety laws for business owners
- Troy Phelps and Steve Bryant, from the Indiana Small Business Development Center and the Ivy Tech Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship, along with Lindsey Maliqi from the Small Business Administration, who introduced the free resources their organizations offer to entrepreneurs
The event featured a panel discussion with local business owners, moderated by Joyce Poling, Gayle & Bill Cook Center for Entrepreneurship:
- Stacie Marotta, owner, Hawaiian Hoosier
- Clard Davidson, owner, Chef’s Table Catering
- Amber Racoma, Ivy Tech entrepreneurship alumna and owner, Mama Duke’s Hawaiian Barbeque
The panelists shared their entrepreneurial journeys, lessons learned, and advice for aspiring business owners. A common theme throughout the event was the wealth of resources and supportive ecosystem available in Bloomington for startups and small businesses of all industries.
For more information about the culinary arts program, contact Chef Stacy Strand at sstrand1@ivytech.edu. To learn about starting or growing a business, contact Sueann Graham, entrepreneurship program chair, at sgraham116@ivytech.edu.
About Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College (ivytech.edu) is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degrees, short-term certificate programs, industry certifications, and training that aligns to the needs of the community. The College provides seamless transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a bachelor’s degree. Follow Ivy Tech on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
