AMPED KITCHENS

Amped Kitchens rents permit-ready, private commercial kitchen spaces within a community of dynamic food makers.   Amped Kitchens serves Chicago-based food makes looking for high quality, exclusive  production space supported by key amenities like ample on-site storage, packaging rooms, multiple loading docks and logistical support from our professional team.

Primary Contact (All Inquiries):  Tony Lio, General Manager - Chicago

BRANCHFOOD

Branchfood is the leading community of food entrepreneurs launching and growing high-growth CPG, food tech, and agriculture-related startups in New England. Since 2015, we’ve been supporting entrepreneurs by means of industry connections, mentorship, promotion, and funding.   Every year, we host a variety of events to foster connection, education, and collaboration within the food innovation space, all of which are key to ensure a sustainable, resilient, and self-sufficient future of food in New England.

Primary Contact (All Inquiries):  Carole Sioufi

Chicago Section of the Institute of Food Technologists (CSIFT)

Chicago Section IFT (CSIFT) is a regional section of the Institute of Food Technologists serving the northern part of the state of Illinois with a tradition of excellence and leadership development.  CSIFT provides professional development and networking opportunities through our events and annual expo and symposium. These events support our mission to advance the profession of food science.  CSIFT, through its foundation, the Chicagoland Food Science Foundation (CFSF), develops, promotes and supports the current and next generation of food and beverage industry professionals through its scholarship programs. 

*CFBN & CSIFT have partnered to offer discounted registration fees to each other's events.  CFBN members receive "member pricing" for all CSIFT events, and CSIFT members receive 50% off registration pricing for all CFBN events.  For more information, please contact Lynnda Nelson for CSIFT code or visit the Member Perks area for the CFBN code.

Primary Contact (All Inquiries):  Lynnda Nelson, Executive Director

Foodbevy

Foodbevy is an online platform to help emerging food and beverage companies grow from startup to scale. We do that by providing access to resources and networking including a directory of 2500+ industry partners, over $3000 in discounts, and expert webinars.

Primary Contact (All Inquiries):  Jordan Buckner, Founder

The Hatchery Chicago

The Hatchery Chicago is a non-profit food and beverage incubator dedicated to helping local entrepreneurs build & grow successful businesses. Through cutting-edge commercial kitchen facilities, robust entrepreneurship curriculum, and partnerships with generous corporate sponsors and foundations, they support local food and beverage entrepreneurs, cultivate local job opportunities, and accelerate local economic growth. 

The Hatchery hosts weekly events year-round providing entrepreneurs with the information they need to grow. Join their monthly networking events to discuss the trends impacting the industry and for weekly sessions that dive into the details of running an emerging brand.

*CFBN partners with The Hatchery Chicago to offer 50% off registration pricing for members of the Hatchery network wanting to attend CFBN events.  Please contact Dani for the discount code.

Primary Contact (All Inquiries):  Dani Zuchovicki, Programming Coordinator

Illinois Tech (The Department of Food Science & Nutrition)

The Illinois Tech Department of Food Science and Nutrition prepares its graduates for careers that involve the application of science, technology, engineering, and regulatory compliance to address current food- and health-related issues. Its unique programs provide foundational instruction in food science and nutrition with contemporary practical training in topics pertinent to the food, manufacturing, pharma/biotech, and agricultural industries, including operations management, computation and data analytics, regulatory compliance, and design thinking.

*CFBN & IIT (The Dept of Food Science & Nutrition) have partnered to offer current students in IIT's programs free access to CFBN events and programming.  For more information, please email for access.

Primary Contact (Main Inquiries):  Armand Paradis, Director Student & Industry Relations and Adjunct Industry Professor

Events/Programs Contact:  Cindy Koschetz, Strategic Project & Event Manager

KINSA GROUP

Kinsa Group is a Leading National Recruiting firm for the Food & Beverage Industry.  Kinsa connects talented professionals, managers & executives with leading food/beverage employers.  Our focus is: Food Scientists/R&D, Food Safety/Quality Assurance, Sales, Marketing, Procurement/Supply Chain, Operations and C-Suite level positions.  Kinsa is uniquely positioned to match food and beverage talent with employment opportunities that best suit their skills and expertise in the Chicagoland area and throughout the United States.  There’s an ideal out there, and Kinsa is committed to helping you find it.

*CFBN and The Kinsa Group have partnered to provide access to a FREE job board - free to post opportunities and FREE to browse for open positions or internships.  VISIT the job board to explore!

Primary Contact (All Inquiries):  Shelly Jackson, Marketing and Customer Relations Associate 

The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Chicago

The University of Chicago’s culture of inquiry and intellectual rigor has led to several breakthroughs in medicine, science, and business that have changed the way we live and the way we think. As the spirit of innovation thrives across campus and beyond, the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation fuels the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators with the knowledge, skills, and experience to make a powerful social and economic impact. We offer classes, mentorship and events for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

*CFBN & The Polsky Center have partnered to offer free admission to members of the Polsky mentoring network (10 spaces per event).  To access events with this promotional offer, please contact NIMA for the code.

Primary Contact (All Inquiries):  Nima Merchant,  Sr. Associate Director, Strategic Planning and Partnerships