Ascend LA’s Alum Wins Contract to Supply Super Bowl LVI

Art Delectables receives a contract to serve their delicious pastries at the official NFL Tailgate Party

by Martha Flores Perez

Super Bowl LVI will be a busy event for “Chef Simone” (Deljah Dickson), Ascend LA 2020 graduate, as she plates her pastries for the VIP Team Section at the Tailgate Party. After receiving Ascend LA’s management education and completing the final project, Chef Simone began the process to become an NFL Business Connect supplier. This four-month process involved many selection rounds, which ultimately led to the taste test. Of course, this was the easiest round given the high-quality and scrumptious pastries made by Chef Simone. Art Delectables is a luxury organic dessert family business, that includes Chef Simone, her mother, and her daughter. It’s based in Van Nuys, CA and they offer catering, wholesale to local businesses in LA County, and sell their pastries on their website for nationwide shipping.

Chef Simone was part of Ascend LA’s inaugural cohort in the Spring of 2020. In her final project pitch video, she used pictures of her delectable pastries. Then narrated the importance of using organic ingredients and less sugar. Moreover, she shared her story and passion for baking. The 12-week program that she was part of was conducted virtually. Contract acquisition is the last of the six modules that business owners are walked through. In addition to relevant business management education, participants are also connected to LISC LA lending opportunities[KS1] [MP2] . In fact, it was through a LISC LA referral that Art Delactables was able to compete for this NFL supplier contract. Ascend has also connected Chef Simone with Kroger to begin distributing her pastries regionally.

Art Delectables is just one example of how Ascend-supported businesses leverage the tailored approach of the M^3 Model to their advantage. Ascend LA localizes this program and continues to provide support to its alumni. They do this work in partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship.

Watch Chef Simone’s Pitch Video