2026 HWCC Business Awards Featured Restaurants & Culinary Partner Interest Form

The Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce (HWCC) invites Asian-owned restaurants, caterers, bakeries, and food businesses to apply to be a Featured Culinary Partner at the 20th Annual HWCC Business Awards on Friday, October 9, 2026.

This year, we're reimagining the traditional awards banquet into a more interactive evening centered on business, food, culture, and connection.

Approximately 300 entrepreneurs, professionals, corporate partners, and community leaders will gather for an evening featuring curated food experiences, networking, live music and performances, and an awards program celebrating the achievements and contributions of AAPI businesses and professionals across Wisconsin.

Rather than serving a traditional plated dinner, guests will experience the event through a collection of featured restaurants and food businesses—giving each participating business an opportunity to introduce guests to its food, story, and brand.

We are looking for 16 savory food vendors and 4 dessert vendors. (We will not be able to accommodate drink vendors at this event.) Each selected business will serve a signature "Best Bite" to approximately 300 guests.

Your Best Bite should be a small tasting portion that represents your restaurant or business and gives guests a memorable introduction to what you do best. It could be a signature appetizer, small entrée portion, dessert, or another specialty.
Think of something guests will remember—and hopefully want to visit your business to experience again.

Because this is a networking-style event, selections should be easy to enjoy while guests are standing, walking, or gathering around cocktail tables.

The Business Awards will be held indoors, and each selected vendor will receive a $300 stipend to help with food and supplies costs. If you have any questions, comments, or need assistance, please contact HWCC at info@hmongchamber.org.

Event Date: Friday, October 9, 2026
Event Location: The Factory on Barclay, 1120 S Barclay St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
Event Hours: Open to Public 5 PM – 8 PM (Ticketed Event)

Important Vendor Information:
• Food vendors must stay for the duration of the event and will load out starting at 8:00 PM.
• All vendors must fully close and exit by 9:00 PM.

Vendor Setup Information:
• Vendors will set up at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 9, 2026.
• All setup times and details are subject to change, and vendors will be notified as updates become available.
Stipend:
• $300, to be provided after the event.

Vendor Requirements:
• Vendors must be a registered business with the State of Wisconsin.
• Vendors must provide an EIN and Seller’s Permit number.
• Vendors must carry business liability insurance (minimum $500,000 coverage).
• Vendors must comply with all applicable health department, food safety, licensing, and venue requirements.

Space Details & Setup Requirements:
• Each food vendor will be provided with one table, tablecloth and two chairs
• Vendors may bring signage or pop-up banners, as long as they fit within their given space and do not encroach on the surrounding vendor areas. Vendors are responsible for bringing any additional setup needs, including displays, and any other materials.

“Best Bite” Requirements:
• Each vendor will offer a “Best Bite” to our 300 event guests – a small portion of a dish that shows off what you do best!
• Minimum size is 3 inches x 3 inches.
• The dish must be served in a disposable container. HWCC will provide guests with plastic utensils and a 9 x14 disposable tray to place multiple dishes on.
• Because this is a networking-style event, selections should be easy to enjoy while guests are standing, walking, or gathering around cocktail tables.
• See this document for “Best Bite” examples and full event details.

Prohibited Items:
The distribution of certain items is not permitted at this event, including alcohol, illegal goods, or any items deemed unsafe or inappropriate by event organizers. HWCC reserves the right to request removal of any items that do not align with event guidelines.
HWCC reserves the right to require adjustments or deny setup if table requirements are not met.

Name

First NameLast Name

Business Name

E-mail

example@example.com

Phone Number

Format: (000) 000-0000.

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code

EIN Number

Seller's Permit Number

Are you a current HWCC Member?

Business Website (If none, enter N/A)

Please List any Social Media Handles/Links

13. If selected, you must submit a current Certificate of Business Liability Insurance, naming Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce as “Additional Insured.”

How would you describe the cuisine or cultural influence of your restaurant/food business? Examples: Hmong, Thai, Lao, Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, Japanese, fusion, bakery, etc.

Which category best describes your proposed Best Bite?

Other

What Best Bite would you like to feature? Please include the name of the dish and a short description. Example: Chicken Pad Thai finished with lime and crushed peanuts. (Note: The minimum size is 3 inches x 3 inches.)

Why did you choose this dish to represent your business?

You must provide 300 samples. Every person who attends the event should be able to try your Bite at least once. Can you provide approximately 300 tasting portions during the event?

Please identify any major allergens contained in your proposed Bite. Examples: peanuts/tree nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat/gluten, soy, shellfish, fish, sesame.

Does your Bite meet any of the following dietary preferences? (Select all that apply.)

Will any cooking, warming, or finishing of food occur on-site?

Are there any additional setup or accessibility needs HWCC should know about?

Culinary Partner Agreement Acknowledgement

By submitting this interest form, I acknowledge and agree that:

I am expressing interest in participating in the 2026 HWCC Business Awards and that submission does not guarantee acceptance or participation. Selected businesses will receive confirmation and additional participation instructions from HWCC.
I understand that HWCC will curate the culinary experience to provide guests with a diverse mix of cuisines, flavors, savory selections, and desserts while highlighting a range of Asian-owned food businesses.
If selected, I agree to provide approximately 300 tasting portions of my approved Best Bite.
I understand that I will receive a $300 stipend after successful completion of the event to help offset food and supply costs.
I am responsible for arriving at the assigned setup time and maintaining my culinary station for the duration of the event.
I am responsible for maintaining a clean and professional space and completing cleanup at the end of the event.
I will comply with all applicable event, venue, food safety, health, licensing, and conduct requirements.
I will provide all required insurance documentation by the stated deadline. This includes food liability insurance naming Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce as “Additional Insured.”
I understand that alcohol and other prohibited or unsafe items may not be distributed.
HWCC may require changes to or removal of any setup, equipment, food item, or material that does not comply with event or venue requirements.
If I am unable to participate or fail to attend the event, I understand that I will not receive the participation stipend.
A no-show without advance notice may affect eligibility for future HWCC opportunities.
I grant HWCC permission to photograph or record my business, culinary station, products, likeness, and participating representatives during the event and to use those images or recordings for event promotion, marketing, and organizational communications without additional compensation.

Date Signed

Signature

2026 HWCC Business Awards: A Taste of Success