We always knew Rock City Pies were tasty. Now, the nation might just know the same thing. One of Hamtramck’s delicacies (and entrepreneurial ventures) will be featured on the second season of “Restaurant Startup” on CNBC starting January 13.
Although not in the first episode, Rock City Pies is in some elite company along with 19 other businesses looking for investment from investors Joe Bastianich and Tim Love. This year, Chef, Restaurateur and TV Personality, Antonia Lofaso, joins the show as Culinary Consultant.
If you’re not familiar with the show, this is how they break it down:
Each week, two teams are invited to pitch their food ideas to our investors. Under high-pressure questioning, each team tries to convince Bastianich and Love that theirs is a concept worth backing. The chosen team is given the keys to a working restaurant on trendy Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. They get 36 hours and $7,500 to put their dream to the test and create a business plan; come up with a branding campaign; and, finally, launch their pop-up restaurant. Under the watchful eye of Bastianich and Love’s culinary consultant Antonia Lofaso, the aspiring food moguls open their doors, serve their food, and test their concept on the public.
Based on the reaction from the diners, the quality of the branding, and the viability of the business plan, Bastianich and Love decide whether or not they will put their own money on the line to make someone’s dreams come true – and, hopefully, make big money for themselves.
You can find Rock City Eatery (where the pies come from) here online and if you want one of these pies for your holidays you’ll have your choice of Chocolate/Caramel, Butterscotch/Bourbon/Pecan, Salted Caramel/Apple, Cranberry/White Chocolate/Pistacio, and White Trash. Details on ordering here.
When we know the exact date and time they’ll be on CNBC, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, we won’t judge if you eat a lot of pie.
