Pasadena Restaurant Wins Relief Grant

Los Angeles-based non-profit Regarding Her (RE:Her) announced today that Pasadena’s Mama Musubi is a recipient in the inaugural grant program.

A committee of hospitality and business experts selected 15 female-identifying food and beverage entrepreneurs from a diverse pool of applicants across Los Angeles County. In addition to the $10,000 cash grants to be used at the restaurateurs’ discretion, grantees also receive access to consulting and mentorship from specialists in restaurant finance, human relations and public relations/marketing.

The applicants span an array of backgrounds, ages and business types — including restaurants, catering companies, bars, ice cream shops, a food truck, and a wine bar.

Mama Musubi said it is a catering company specializing in musubi (gourmet rice balls) and sushi. It is located within

Kitchen United MIX complex at 55 S. Madison Avenue.

“We are overwhelmed and moved by not only the volume of applications, but also the caliber and worthiness of each one,” said Lien Ta, a RE:Her founding member.

“These women have overcome incredible hardships and are still so full of hope and ambition to keep driving their businesses forward, and we are thrilled that we can support our fellow business-owners in this small but hopefully impactful way,” Ta said.

The RE:Her grant selection committee includes Mendocino Farms founder Ellen Chen, former Food & Wine editor-in-chief Dana Cowin, Los Angeles Times food writer Jenn Harris, The Hundreds co-founder Ben Hundreds, restaurant accountant Barbara Barschak, restaurateur Roy Choi, consultant and media personality Monti Carlo, trademark attorney Elizabeth Sbardaletti, Jessica Kaczmerek of the James Irvine Foundation, and Kristin Aldana-Taday of the Hilton Foundation.

RE:Her is a nonprofit devoted to the advancement and empowerment of women restaurateurs, supporting members through industry-focused and consumer-facing initiatives, virtual and physical events, and promotion and representation.

The organization launched earlier this year with a mission to provide opportunities and resources—financial, educational, and more—to women food business owners in Los Angeles and beyond, kicking off with a collaborative event in January called 10 Days RE:Her.