In early August, the Sacramento Kings launched the inaugural Capitalize: Food contest – the second installment in the franchise’s annual Capitalize competition. Fast forward to August 21, the excitement spiked as the organization unveiled the 16 applicants who would move on to the next round. Now, the contest has intensified, with the pool of applicants cut in half, leaving eight exceptional contestants to vie for their opportunity be crowned the Sacramento Kings 2023 Capitalize: Food champion.
The Road Ahead: Mentorship and Pitching
The remaining eight contestants – hailing from diverse backgrounds, including restaurants and entrepreneurial ventures – will receive mentorship and coaching to fine-tune their concepts as they prepare for Pitch Day on September 6. On Pitch Day, a distinguished panel of judges will evaluate the pitches and taste a sample of the contestants’ entry. Finalists selected from this pool will earn a spot in the cook-off showdown.
Culinary Excellence Unleashed: The Cook-Off
On September 15, the finalists' culinary expertise will be put to the test in a live cook-off. Set inside Golden 1 Center’s kitchen, the finalists will bring their concepts to life, aiming to secure placement inside the arena during the 2023-24 NBA Season.
Taste of Victory: The Grand Finale
On September 19, the Sacramento Kings Capitalize: Food champion will be announced and receive a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have their food and/or restaurant brand featured at Golden 1 Center during the 2023-24 NBA Season. In addition, the winner’s creation will be showcased during the Kings 2023 Media Food Tasting event this fall.
Meet the Culinary Trailblazers:
Get to know the semi-finalists who will participate in Pitch Day, vying for a spot in the finals.
To learn more about the Sacramento Kings 2023 Capitalize: Food competition, visit Kings.com/CapitalizeFood.