Hosted by UNPKD
Sponsored by Colombia Kaliente
UNPKD proudly welcomes entrepreneur and restaurateur Sebastian Colorado, Founder, Restaurantier, and CEO of Colombia Kaliente, for an engaging and informative workshop designed for aspiring restaurant owners and food entrepreneurs.
Starting a restaurant is about much more than creating great food. It requires careful planning, financial preparation, regulatory compliance, strong leadership, and an understanding of the hospitality industry. Drawing from his firsthand experience building Colombia Kaliente into a successful New Jersey restaurant brand, Sebastian Colorado will provide participants with practical guidance on turning a culinary passion into a thriving business.
Whether you're planning a food truck, café, bakery, catering company, or full-service restaurant, this interactive three-hour workshop will offer valuable insight into every stage of launching and operating a food service business.
Workshop Topics
Participants will learn about:
Developing a restaurant concept and business plan
Choosing the right location for your business
Understanding startup costs and financing options
Creating realistic operating budgets
Registering a food service business in New Jersey
Required permits, licenses, and health department regulations
Food safety certifications and compliance requirements
Building relationships with suppliers and vendors
Designing an efficient kitchen and dining layout
Hiring, training, and managing restaurant staff
Marketing your restaurant before and after opening
Leveraging social media and community engagement
Customer service strategies that build long-term loyalty
Common challenges new restaurant owners face and how to avoid them
Featured Speaker
Sebastian Colorado will share his personal entrepreneurial journey, discussing the challenges and successes of building Colombia Kaliente from the ground up. Participants will hear real-world lessons about financing a restaurant, navigating the permitting process, managing operations, building a loyal customer base, and sustaining growth in a competitive industry.
The presentation will conclude with an interactive question-and-answer session, giving attendees the opportunity to ask specific questions about restaurant ownership and entrepreneurship.
Networking & One-on-One Guidance
Following the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to network with fellow entrepreneurs, local business professionals, hospitality industry representatives, and members of the UNPKD team.
Participants will also be able to receive informal guidance on:
Developing restaurant business ideas
Preparing for startup financing
Local business resources
Restaurant licensing requirements
Community partnerships
Next steps toward opening a food service business
Free Resources
Each attendee will receive complimentary startup materials, including:
UNPKD Restaurant Business Startup Guide
Restaurant planning worksheets
Sample startup budget templates
Business planning checklists
Resource directory for financing, mentorship, and small business assistance
Hospitality industry resource packet
Accessibility & Language Services
UNPKD is committed to ensuring that all community members can fully participate in this event.
The workshop will include:
Professional interpreters available upon request
Assistive listening devices throughout the event
ADA-accessible facilities
Multilingual staff and volunteers available to provide assistance
If you require language interpretation or other accommodations, please notify the organizers during registration so arrangements can be made in advance.
Who Should Attend?
This workshop is ideal for:
Aspiring restaurant owners
Food truck entrepreneurs
Café and coffee shop startups
Bakers and caterers
Hospitality professionals
Culinary students
Existing restaurant owners seeking growth strategies
Small business entrepreneurs
Immigrant entrepreneurs
Anyone interested in entering the food service industry
Cost
This workshop is free and open to the public. Advance registration is encouraged, as seating is limited.
UNPKD is a nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding entrepreneurship education, workforce development, and economic opportunity through partnerships with business leaders, educational institutions, and community organizations. Through workshops like this, UNPKD connects aspiring entrepreneurs with experienced professionals who are committed to strengthening local businesses and fostering long-term community success.