Marriott International is offering ambitious Shanghai entrepreneurs a chance-of-a-lifetime to make their dream F&B concept come true.

Marriott International is offering ambitious Shanghai entrepreneurs a chance-of-a-lifetime to make their dream F&B concept come true.

The opportunity comes by entering the hospitality group’s global ‘BANG!’ competition. With the promise ‘You have the idea, we have the space’, Marriott International is inviting ideas for F&B concepts that will reinvent a lounge at Renaissance Shanghai Caohejing Hotel and JAVA+ venues at Marriott Hotel City Centre and Marriott Hotel Luwan.

A “first” in the hospitality industry, ‘BANG!’ is on the lookout for “passionate individuals with original, feasible and creative new ideas that reflect the F&B culture of the local authentic market”, said Ralph Frehner, Marriott International’s Vice President, Food and Beverage Operations, Asia Pacific.

Marriott International’s BANG! campaign made its debut in Asia at the JW Marriott Hotel Shenzhen in December 2014. It was won by Ms. Estella Pan, who recently opened a ‘Tofu Boutique’ with stylish, contemporary versions of tofu recipes passed down through her family.

“We are now looking for similarly creative and original concepts in Shanghai – with our biggest contest so far inviting concepts for three hotels,” said Mr. Frehner.

Contestants should initially submit innovative ideas with a short description and either 30-second video or 1 photo image (jpg or png file) on the campaign website. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit detailed business plans in early August 2015.

Each of the three properties will ultimately select three finalists to pitch at the ‘BANG! Ultimate Cook-Off’ – with live presentations of concepts and judges deciding which three finally get the go-ahead in mid-September. Four guest judges will include Brad Turley, Chef and Owner of Goga and Hai by Goga; Willy Trulas, owner-chef of El Willy,Elefante and Tomatito; Kelley Lee, owner of Liquid Laundry, Cantina Agave, Boxing Cat and Sproutworks;and Anthony Zhao, owner of Mi Xiang Yuanand host ofFood Hunters.

As was done in Shenzhen, Marriott International will fully support the Shanghai winners to nurture their concepts to success.

Extensive support and resources for each winner will include a start-up budget, professional advice from Marriott International, including regulatory and legal assistance, staffing, menu design, food safety and hygiene, marketing, and communications. The venue will also be provided rent-free for up to six months, and the winners will be compensated based on the performance of the outlet, working either independently or in partnership with the selected hotels earnings will be contractually agreed.

Peggy Fang Roe, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Marriott International Asia Pacific said: “Marriott is renowned for innovative F&B projects and by embracing local talent, we continue to pioneer the way our guests eat and discover.”

The ‘BANG!’ campaign pays homage to a newlywed couple who opened a small A&W® root beer stand with just nine seats and “five-cent frosty mugs” in Washington DC in 1927. Those young entrepreneurs, J. Willard and Alice Marriott, laid the foundations for Marriott International, one of the most successful hospitality companies in the world.

The campaign name BANG! symbolizes energy, impact, dynamism and power. The Chinese translation ‘棒!” has a similar pronunciation, meaning synergy with excellence and greatness.