The Up & Comers
The Up & Comers
Presented By
The submission window is now closed. But you can still get in on the fun! Drop your email below and we’ll let you know when the public vote phase opens up so you can show some love to your fave brands.
Voting begins April 25th
Winner Selected May 16th
The Future of Food Is Here
And it’s you. You believe in your product. And you believe it will find its way to the people who will love it. We do, too.
Hi, we’re Foxtrot, your friendly neighborhood market for all things delicious. With a presence in Chicago, D.C., and Dallas and with nationwide shipping on Foxtrot Anywhere, our mission is to support the people behind the brands and help our fans discover things they’ll love.
Now in its second year, Up & Comers is our search for the next great brands in food.
This year, we’re dedicating Up & Comers to achieving gender equity in the food industry. We’re thrilled to partner with Cherry Bombe, a platform championing women in food, who share our mission to highlight and support small makers.
We’re dedicating two of our awards — our Hero Winner and Cherry Bombe’s Women in Food Award — to female and femme-identifying entrepreneurs.
TOASTYHero WinnerThe Fan Fave Finalist
We can’t have a Fan Favorite without the fans! Check out these amazing small makers and vote for your favorite today. Winners will receive $5,000, a spot on our shelves, and $20,000 in marketing support.
Voting Closes May 2nd, and winners will be announced May 16th.
Bad WineResurrecting the lesser-known piquette-style, re-hydrated grape pressings are fermented and bottled like a Champagne. A vibrant, light, naturally bubbly wine spritzer.
Life Raft TreatsBecause it’s fun! Pastry chef Cynthia Wong created an ice cream treat that actually looks like a drumstick 👀. Contains no fried chicken.
Masha'sFounder and Chef Maria Koval is giving NYC a different kind of bagel. Masha’s gluten free bagels (and bites) rival the real thing.
Balkan BitesAmong the comfiest foods of Southeast Europe, like grandma used to make ‘em. Savory phyllo pies made easy.The Awards
Every submission will be considered for the category that best fits the product. So, no need to sweat over choosing just one. Just submit your application and our judges will take care of the rest.
Up & Comers is open to any entrepreneur and business owner across the country. Please note that entrants must be able to ship or deliver your product to our stores in Chicago, Dallas or DC.
HERO WINNER
This year’s Hero Winner will be awarded to a female or femme-identifying founder whose product blows us over with both taste and brand purpose. Our hero winner will receive $25,000, a spot on our shelves for at least a quarter, a one-hour mentorship opportunity with three judges as selected by Foxtrot, and marketing support worth $45,000.
INGREDIENT
INNOVATIONCharcoal in cookies? Mushrooms in bread? We don't know. But what we do know is that this winner will impress with their ability to make magic out of something unexpected. The Ingredient Innovation winner will receive $5,000, a spot on our shelves for at least a quarter, and marketing support worth $20,000.
Cherry Bombe’s
Women In Food AwardSelected by our friends at Cherry Bombe, this award will go to a female or femme-identifying founder whose product delivers on taste, mission, and a great story. Cherry Bombe’s Women in Food Award winner will receive $5,000, a spot on our shelves for at least a quarter, and marketing support worth $20,000.
JUST DAMN
GOODThe product that we have to taste, re-taste, let us just taste one more time…Mmmm. The Just Damn Good winner will receive $5,000, a spot on our shelves for at least a quarter, and marketing support worth $20,000.
Classic Product
ReimaginedWe know what you're thinking: another reboot? Yes! We love a comeback. The Classic Product Reimagined winner will receive $5,000, a spot on our shelves for at least a quarter, and marketing support worth $20,000.
Fan FavoriteThe fans will vote and a winner will be chosen. Voting begins 4/25! The Fan Favorite winner will receive $5,000, a spot on our shelves for at least a quarter, and marketing support worth $20,000.
Meet Last Year's
Hero Winner
Last year Omsom wowed us with their pantry shortcuts that combine all the sauces, aromatics, and seasonings you need to make incredibly flavorful, restaurant-quality Asian dishes at home. This year we’re so thrilled to have Omsom’s Vanessa Pham on our judges panel to help us find the next Up & Comer.Shop OmsomSchedule & FAQ
MAR 8 - APR 4
SUBMISSION WINDOW
Submissions are now closed. But we’ll be back next year, so stay tuned!
APR 25 - MAY 2
VOTING IS COMPLETE
The judges have tasted and the fans have voted. Stay tuned for the winners!
MAY 16
Winners Announced
The moment you’ve all been waiting for. Get your party hats ready. And starting May 31st, you’ll be able to shop the winners in our stores and on our site. Yum!
What is Up & Comers?
Launched in 2021 and hosted by Foxtrot, Up & Comers is a food competition designed to support diverse and emerging entrepreneurs. Every year we invite a new panel of judges who are leaders in the industry to help us find the next great brands in food. At Foxtrot, our mission is to change the food and beverage industry by supporting small makers and helping people discover things they’ll love. Up & Comers is a reflection of this mission. This year, we couldn’t be more excited to partner with Cherry Bombe to promote gender equity in the food industry and highlight women-owned brands throughout the program.
What kind of brands are you interested in?
With this program, Food & Beverage owners and makers are encouraged to apply to Up & Comers for a chance to be sold in Foxtrot stores and nationally via Foxtrot Anywhere. All categories within Food & Beverage, including alcohol, are accepted for submission. Please make sure you choose your category appropriately when applying. If you would like to get to know more about Foxtrot’s current offering please visitfoxtrotco.com
Who can Apply?
Up & Comers is open to any entrepreneur and business owner worldwide. Please note that entrants must be able to ship or deliver your products to our stores in Chicago, Dallas or DC. Please note:- Must be 18 years or older
- Must have an LLC, C-Corp, B-Corp or other registered entity
- Must be in the food and beverage industry
- Must currently have a physical product that is currently available to sell in the U.S.
- Not currently carried in more than 50 doors (ie total retail footprint)
- Not currently carried in any major retailers
- Can apply multiple years in a row
The submission window is now closed. But you can still get in on the fun! Drop your email below and we’ll let you know when the public vote phase opens up so you can show some love to your fave brands.
