At The Table: A Founder Dinner Series

At the Table is our new quarterly dinner series for founders who want real conversations, real connections, and real support. Each gathering brings CPG founders together for candid dialogue about the often-unspoken challenges of building a packaged food brand — from decision-making and operations to mindset and money. With a focused theme and guest co-host, these dinners offer an intimate space to share insights, resources, and experiences with a like-minded community.

We’re excited to kick off the series with:

Scaling Smart by Not Scaling Alone: Using Partnerships, Shared Resources, and Strategy to build a sustainable business
Co-hosted with the Esendemir Sisters, founders of Thumb Bread® and Hudson Kitchen founder, Djenaba Johnson-Jones

Scaling a CPG brand doesn’t happen in isolation. Founders grow stronger when they leverage shared resources, collaborate with peers, and build strategic partnerships across operations, production, and marketing. This dinner explores how early-stage and emerging brands can move from concept to consistent operations by delegating production, tapping into community, and approaching growth as a series of supported steps rather than a solo effort.

Through real-world insights from the Esendemir Sisters — including their non-linear manufacturing journey and the collaborative practices that fueled Thumb Bread®’s growth — founders will gain perspective on what it actually takes to evolve their operational systems, expand their reach, and make informed decisions at each stage of the journey.

You’ll leave with clarity on:

• Your current stage in the production and growth journey
• Practical next steps for sustainable progress
• How collaboration can accelerate your path forward
• Relationships with founders who understand your challenges

Perfect For Founders Who:

• Are navigating early-stage CPG growth
• Want clarity around operations, production, and building support systems
• Crave honest conversation over surface-level networking
• Believe in community, collaboration, and shared learning

This intimate dinner is limited to 25 founders to preserve depth, connection, and meaningful conversation.

Info: Check in, grab a drink, and connect with fellow founders in an intimate setting.

Info: Enjoy a tasting menu crafted by our in-house chef, showcasing Thumb Bread® in innovative and thoughtful ways — a curated culinary experience designed to spark conversation and connection.

Info: A candid, theme-driven discussion led by Hudson Kitchen and the Esendemir Sisters. Together, we’ll explore the realities of scaling, collaboration, and navigating the steps between concept and operational growth.

Info: Each founder shares one thing they need and one thing they can offer — catalyzing real opportunities for support, collaboration, and shared resources.

Info: Follow up on conversations, swap contacts, and deepen relationships.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Hudson Kitchen HQ, 9 Basin Drive, Kearny, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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