FoodStart Ohio wants to find the next best food entrepreneurs of Columbus. Enter The Big Pitch. The first place contestant wins 1000 bucks, but attendees will win even bigger because they will get to nosh on all the goodness from restaurant fare to peanut brittle to mobile food to salsa. For those who want to enter the contest or for those who want to eat their way through the contest, read on.

On June 21, food entrepreneurs in three categories - restaurants, mobile, and food products - will prepare bite-size samples for The Big Pitch, a culinary contest at Franklin University. Attendees will browse and taste the yummiliciousness and vote on faves. More than 30 local businesses will offer up tasty treats for all. The first round of judging is based on the public's vote and the business plan of each entrant.

Then on June 28, a panelist of judges will swoop in and crown a winner from the top three entrants in each category. First place winners receive $1,000 and a year of mentoring; second place winners receive $500 and six months of mentoring; and third place winners receive six months of mentoring.

So whether you cook or eat (or both), find out how to sign up to compete or get your tickets to attend. 

Oh, and the bonus? Feel good while you feed your belly. The mission of FoodStart Ohio is to support Ohio food entrepreneurs and to use food as an economic development tool to boost the local food infrastructure and to help revitalize our local community.