Ep 6. Sweet Investment

In season 1 episode 6 of Restaurant Startup, titled "Sweet Investment," co-hosts Tim Love and Joe Bastianich are presented with two dessert-focused concepts hoping to secure funding for their businesses.

First up is Miami-based entrepreneur Carina Soto Velasquez, who has developed a unique concept called Milk Gone Nuts. The business centers around a vegan and gluten-free milk made from various nuts and seeds, which is then used as the base for a range of healthy and indulgent desserts. Carina presents a variety of products, including chia pudding, chocolate milk, and a "snickerdoodle" cookie made with pecans and almond milk. Tim and Joe are impressed with Carina's passion and the quality of her products, but they are concerned about the narrow focus of the business and its reliance on a single ingredient - the nut milk.

Next is Shane Trabue, a New Orleans native and founder of the dessert truck La Petite Raindrop. Shane specializes in "raindrop cakes," a Japanese dessert that consists of a gelatinous cake topped with various flavors and garnishes. He presents a range of inventive raindrop cakes, including a matcha green tea version and a savory option topped with black sesame seeds and soy sauce. Tim and Joe appreciate the creativity and innovation behind Shane's concept, but they are worried about the sustainability of a dessert truck in a competitive market like New Orleans.

After considering both pitches, Tim and Joe ultimately decide to invest in Milk Gone Nuts. They are impressed with Carina's commitment to healthy and delicious desserts and believe that her unique milk product could have widespread appeal. They offer Carina the full amount of funding she requested, along with the invaluable mentorship and advice that comes along with their investment.

Throughout the episode, viewers get an inside look at the rigorous process of pitching and investing in a restaurant concept. Tim and Joe offer their honest feedback and ask tough questions, forcing the entrepreneurs to articulate their vision and prove the viability of their business ideas. It's an exciting and dynamic process that offers a glimpse into the high-stakes world of food entrepreneurship.