Ep 3. Cold Cash for Warm Bread

In Restaurant Startup season 1 episode 3, titled Cold Cash for Warm Bread, the investors bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to two very different restaurant concepts. The first concept is a bakery called Bread Affair, which specializes in sourdough bread and pastries. The entrepreneur behind the concept is a young mother named Sharon who has left a successful career in finance to follow her passion for baking. Her bread has already gained a following in farmers markets and specialty stores, and she seeks to take her business to the next level by opening a retail location in downtown Los Angeles.

In order to prove the viability of her concept, Sharon must impress investor Joe Bastianich with her bread-making skills. She prepares a spread of different breads and pastries, including her signature sourdough, a croissant filled with chocolate ganache, and a vanilla cream-filled doughnut. Joe is impressed with the quality of the products, but questions whether Sharon has the business acumen to handle the financial demands of running a restaurant. The other investor, Tim Love, is more excited by the potential of the concept and sees Bread Affair as a unique addition to the LA food scene.

The second concept is a restaurant called Silverlake Ramen, which hopes to bring a taste of authentic Japanese ramen to the hip Silverlake neighborhood. The entrepreneurs behind the concept are former classmates Randy, a chef with experience in Japanese cuisine, and Kento, a marketing specialist with a passion for ramen. They have assembled a team of experienced chefs and plan to offer a variety of ramen bowls, as well as other Japanese dishes like takoyaki and gyoza.

The investors visit the Silverlake Ramen location and are impressed with the quality of the food. However, they note that the neighborhood is already saturated with trendy restaurants and question whether there is enough demand for yet another. Joe is particularly skeptical and wants to see a unique twist that will set Silverlake Ramen apart from its competitors.

After hearing the pitches, Joe and Tim must decide which concept to invest in. They choose Bread Affair, based on its unique concept and the quality of Sharon's products. However, they challenge Sharon to expand beyond her comfort zone and consider incorporating savory items on her menu in addition to the sweets. Sharon is thrilled by the investment but faces the challenge of scaling up her business while maintaining her high standards.

The episode ends with a glimpse of the progress both entrepreneurs have made since receiving the investment. Bread Affair has secured a location and is in the process of building out their kitchen and storefront. Silverlake Ramen, on the other hand, has had to pivot its concept due to the COVID-19 pandemic and is now offering takeout and delivery options. Despite the challenges, both entrepreneurs remain passionate and determined to make their restaurant dreams a reality.