The MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase will highlight business from around the capital region. While you’re there, dive into the business owner’s minds to learn what inspired them to start their entrepreneurial journey. Visit with over 90 businesses participating and ask the makers to share their unique stories.
March is Women’s History Month, and we couldn’t let it go by without featuring some of the women-owned businesses showing their food and beverages at the showcase.
Tsiona Foods hails right from the area of Rockville. Owner Tsion Bellete began with her journey through the snack empire in her locally loved eatery, Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant on Nicholson Lane. Bellete wanted her restaurant guests to take a piece of her eatery home with them, so she created her Ethiopian vegan stews in dry form that customers can take with them.
Another product Bellete made that’s being sold in organic and fresh groceries stores are her Injera Crisps. The crunchy chips are made from the soft Injera you would find in a traditional Ethiopian spread. There are five flavors of crisps: Classic, Garlic and Sea Salt, Rosmary, Medium Spicy, and Spicy. People can find her crisps at MOM’s Organic Market, Whole Foods, and at her restaurant.
Tsiona Food won’t be the only small batch snack maker at the showcase. Bell’s Reines is located in a special storefront in Rockville with an interesting background. The name Reines is French for queens, but the name Bell is an honor to the patriarch of their family, Thomas Roosevelt Bell, Jr. Bell’s Reines came from the mind of Angel, a chemical engineer and chemist with a food blog and daughter of the engineer, Teneisha, who specializes in business and psychology. Both women wanted to put their minds together to bring the food blog content to life with delicious food to match. You can find their gourmet cookies at the MWBC (Maryland Women’s Business Center) Shop Local store located in Rockville Town Square. They specialize in small batch, baked mini cookies made with nut-free ingredients sure to make you dance.
More sweets on our business list include Hyattsville, MD bakery Sweet Almond Macarons. Created by Leah, she’s the founder, CEO, and macaron enthusiast. Her business started as a kitchen experiment which in then turned successful into a business that serves couples, business and individuals wanting a custom treat. Leah sells her macaron on a pre-order basis with her regular flavors and any custom flavors with the option of adding logos or special initials.
For those who like to indulge in unconventional and unusual spirits, the Tenth Ward Distilling Company over in Frederick, MD. They were founded in 2016 as a women-owned distillery specializing in a variety of spirits and canned cocktails. Their whiskeys are distilled in-house with the grain base 100% sourced from local farms. People can find their canned cocktails and spirits in stores around the area or visit them in person at their tasting room.
Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard located at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve is another woman-owned craft beverage producer. Their award-winning varieties have mesmerized locals since 2006. The winery hand picks, cold soaks and cold ferments their grapes from the vineyard. After fermenting, the winery lets the wines age in stainless steel or French oak barrels that produces their Bordeaux-inspired wines.
There will be more than 90 businesses showcasing their unique products, drinks, snacks, and food at the MoCo Eats Food & Beverage Showcase including more women-owned businesses not featured on the article on March 30 from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Hilton Rockville.
Tickets are $20 online, and $30 at the door, with tastings and samples included in the ticket price.