This Sunday, July 12, Union Market will host the 2nd annual Launch Pad– a culinary business competition created by Union Market, Mess Hall, and RIS owner Ris Lacoste.

Guests at the finale will be treated to cocktails and small bites as finalists Arepa Zone, Bao Bros Bar, Half Smoke, Whisked, and Bene pitch their original concepts. The winner will be announced by a panel of judges, including restaurant mavens Patrick O’Connell, Aaron Silverman, Drew Nieporent, David Hall, Al Goldberg and Ris Lacoste, and a People’s Choice vote will count towards each finalist’s point total. Winner of Launch Pad will receive a 6-12 month takeover of a fully-built stall in Union Market, a mentorship from Ris Lacoste, and a feature on FamousDC.com

An after-party will feature chefs’ tables with previous Launch Pad contestants, judges, and advisors. Guests will mingle with food and drink connoisseurs such as DC Brau‘s Jeff Hancock, Mari Rodela, and Brendan Skall, Cake Love owner Warren Brown, and Capital Kombucha owner John Lee, among others. Locally produced snacks and beverages will be provided, and hometown bartenders will mix specialty cocktails featuring Jefferson’s Ridiculously Small Batch Bourbon, Gosling’s Rums, and Pallini Limoncello.

Where: Dock 5, Union Market (1309 5th Street NE, Washington, DC 20002)
When: Sunday, July 12, 1pm-5pm
Tickets: $25 | Tickets can be purchased here. 

(h/t Moki Media)