Printer-friendly version
Black woman-owned business won 3 months free rent and $20,000 business investment in mall’s Taste for the Space Competition
Source: Parkway Plaza
July 20, 2023 (El Cajon)-- Parkway Plaza held its first-ever Taste for the Space competition in June, offering one local food business the opportunity to win three months of free rent at Parkway Plaza’s food court, plus a $20,000 business investment. Chef Char’s Seafood N Soul is the lucky recipient of the prize package and will be moving into the shopping center’s food court latet this month.
Over 600 people came out to taste food from 12 selected local businesses to vote on whose cuisine was the best. The winner was chosen by a combination of votes from the community and a panel of tastemaker judges that included El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, Chef Phillip Esteban (Open Gym, White Rice and Weapon Ramen), Christina Ng (local culinary personality and Foundation Cultivator for Berry Good Food Food), and Sabrina Medora (freelance writer and novelist). The judges helped decide the winner based on taste as well as overall fit for the center.
Winner Charlene Plummer launched Chef Char Seafood N Soul (formerly known as ChefChar2020) amidst the Covid-19 pandemic when her then 16 year-old was unable to find employment. Creating the business not only helped provide her child with work, but also an opportunity to play a large role in the company which she could help cultivate and design.
Chef Char Seafood N Soul serves southern classics like gumbo, fried catfish, jambalaya and more. Parkway Plaza will be Chef Char Seafood N Soul’s first brick and mortar location as the business currently only offers local pickup, delivery and catering services.
“We had such an amazing time at Parkway Plaza’s Taste for the Space competition and are so excited to open our very first storefront,” said Charlene Plummer, owner of Chef Char Seafood N Soul. “We want to thank everyone who came out and Parkway Plaza for the three months of free rent and $20,000 business investment. We can’t wait to expand our customer base and have a permanent home at Parkway Plaza.”
“Our first Taste for the Space was a huge success,” said Petra Rich, Marketing & Business Development Manager at Parkway Plaza. “At Parkway Plaza, community is at our core. We have been a part of this community for over 50 years. This competition further cements our commitment to El Cajon and its local businesses.”
Chef Char Seafood N Soul will have a soft opening in the Parkway Plaza food court in late July followed by a grand opening celebration on Oct. 14th.
To learn more, visit visitparkwayplaza.com
Recent comments