We are seeking visionary startup chefs, restaurant innovators and wine + beverage entrepreneurs to join our second 2025 pilot program, beginning July 15th.

The First Course offers two distinct opportunities, simultaneously. Use the sign up form below to apply for either or both programs.

For the Free Branding Seminars: Simply indicate your interest in the questionnaire. These sessions are open to all culinary founders at any stage who want to learn branding fundamentals.

For the Paid Design Cohort: Complete the full questionnaire to be considered for our selective, high-touch branding program. Qualifying candidates will receive high-level design services for a fraction of our typical budget required to create and launch a brand.

WHAT

The FREE BRANDING SEMINARS are designed to educate and inspire culinary founders at any stage. Led by the Common Space design team, these three free sessions cover the fundamentals of brand fluency, including logos, identity systems and branding across surfaces. All of these seminars are grounded in real-world case studies and live demonstrations. Whether you're shaping an early concept or preparing to launch, these seminars offer practical tools and creative insights to help bring visual clarity and confidence to culinary innovators. Open and free to all.

The PAID DESIGN COHORT is our streamlined premium offer that consists of a guided, high-touch branding sprint for those ready to launch. Participants will engage in combined, personalized one-on-one zoom sessions with a small group / cohort of others who are launching (or rebranding) a new culinary project. By the end of two months, each cohort member will receive a complete, launch-ready brand package (based on what menu items are picked). This menu offers premium design at a fraction of our typical visual identity design, branding and website work.

This is reserved for a select group of emerging culinary innovators and is not intended to replace our full, bespoke branding services. Enrollment in the design cohort requires investing in one of the accessible packages listed below. One fully sponsored slot may also be offered, made possible through an “angel brand” willing to subsidize a fellow founder in exchange for participation at the reduced cohort rate.

menu items

WHEN

why

The First Course is designed for first-time restaurant ventures, chef-led startups, food trucks, and small businesses operating with limited capital. Candidates will be selected based on the uniqueness of their concept and the context in which they’re building. In today’s shifting economic and cultural landscape, we remain committed to helping emerging culinary brands launch with clarity, creativity, and confidence. Selected participants will be announced during the first week of July. Take this opportunity to elevate your culinary vision through our new model that combines strategic branding, design education and creative collaboration.