CEI Stories

Serving & supporting small business owners just like you.

Back

November 21, 2018

Taste the World Event

In November 2016, PROPEL, CEI, Fork Food Lab, Maine Access Immigrant Network, and the Maine Public Health Association collaborated to co-host a promotional Taste the World event to bring together the increasingly diverse Greater Portland community over a shared love of food. The success of that event led to the development of the New Mainer Culinary Entrepreneur Program, which supports immigrant and refugee entrepreneurs in the culinary field in Maine through a multi-pronged approach.

This approach includes promotion at regular Taste the World community building events, and the provision of the New Mainer Culinary Entrepreneur Scholarship that covers the cost of a three month membership at Fork Food Lab, ServeSafe Certification, Department of Agriculture License, and insurance for one year.  It also includes business support from CEI’s Start Smart program, a program that offers free, confidential business counseling for New Americans starting or expanding a business in Maine. Last year, CEI client Niyat Catering was the recipient of the scholarship.

This year the ticketed Taste the World event sold out, and Machias Savings Bank made a matching donation of $1,200 to support the next recipient of Propel’s New Mainer Entrepreneur Scholarship. 

Connect
image of SALUD Portland

SALUD Portland

"Dorienne Lewin is a seasoned workout instructor whose workout studio SALUD Portland does it all - Pilates, barre, and trampoline. She trusts her…"

image of New England Iron Pollo

New England Iron Pollo

"New England Iron Pollo is a local food startup that focuses on cast iron broiled chicken, combining traditional cooking methods with Maine's agricultural…"

image of Apphia Mpay

Apphia Mpay

"Walking into Apphia Mpay's sewing class at Westbrook Adult Education, you can instantly see why students keep coming back to learn from her.…"