MARRIOTT HOTEL IN IRVINE LAUNCHES CONTEST TO AWARD ONE LOCAL ENTREPRENEUR THE OPPORTUNITY TO LAUNCH A RESTAURANT OR BAR...FOR FREE!

Talk about a New Year’s Resolution come true! The Marriott in Irvine has just launched its “Canvas” program - dedicated to incubating fresh new ideas in the food and beverage industry - that is set to award one lucky local entrepreneur the chance to realize his/her dreams of opening a restaurant or bar.

By submitting their concept, a top-line business plan and video online at canvas-startup.com by midnight on January 16, 2015, entrants could win up to $50,000 in start-up funds, free rent for six months at the Marriott Irvine, and free consultation from the Marriott Corporation’s renowned food and beverage team. From the online submissions, a judging panel will select several finalists, based on creativity, passion, marketing plan and profitability potential. Under the advisement of the hotel, the winner will be able to transform a 500-square-foot space into the foodie destination of their dreams.

The Canvas program is online now at canvas-startup.com and entrants have until midnight on January 16, 2014 to enter. Finalists will be selected and will participate in an in-person interview and audition in the Los Angeles area in late January. The winning restaurant or bar concept will open in Spring 2015 at the Marriott Irvine, a newly renovated hotel that is ideally situated just minutes from famous Southern California beaches, world-class shopping at Irvine Spectrum and South Coast Plaza, Disneyland and golf.

The Marriott Irvine is the only hotel in California to be participating in Marriott’s global Canvas program. The company is running the Canvas program at a second site in Phoenix and a third at the J.W. Marriott in Shenzhen, China. Through Canvas, Marriott hopes to develop local, distinctive food and beverage ideas in locations across the globe in the next six months.